Moto X misses the mark with only 500,000 devices sold thus far

Shawn Knight

Posts: 15,240   +192
Staff member

There’s no doubt that Motorola had high expectations for the Moto X during the development phase and even more so after its launch. Billed as the first truly customizable smartphone, users would line up in droves to get their hands on one, right? Well, not exactly.

Despite releasing a solid all-around device that is the most customizable phone on the market by far, the Moto X unfortunately hasn’t translated into record-breaking sales. In fact, sales are pretty dismal according to market research firm Strategy Analytics. The firm estimates that Motorola has only sold roughly 500,000 handsets since going up for sale this past August.

moto google android motorola moto x

At that rate, many continue to question Google’s decision to purchase Motorola’s mobility arm for $12.5 billion in May 2012. What’s even more puzzling is the fact that the search giant continues to utilize other companies (LG) for their flagship smartphones (Nexus 5) when they have Motorola at their disposal.

Some believe the Moto X debuted at too high of a price given its middle-of-the-road hardware specifications and limiting customization to AT&T customers initially. Also, being assembled in the US is no doubt more costly than overseas production, but I digress.

There’s still hope on the horizon, however, as Motorola will launch the cheaper Moto G today. Furthermore, the recent expansion of the Moto Maker program to other carriers could certainly boost sales this holiday season – especially among youth that may value a colorful handset over something more powerful, sleeker or cheaper.

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I just picked up two HTC One phones. They're all getting so close in feature and performance that the sound of the HTC One was the selling point.

There's nothing wrong with the Moto X. There's just nothing that really stands out with it. (other than the colors)
 
I think Shawn hit the nail on the head with this one. Too expensive for the spec and limiting customization to one carrier and I don't see them faring much better with the Moto G. Apart from the obvious it's a pretty solid concept but Motorola obviously needs a grand piano to fall on top of them from a 50 storey building to figure out where they went wrong instead of just listening to the consumer. It would've been a lot easier and a lot less painful.
 
This. None of us give a shite what the body even looks like, we instantly are required to put a 50 dollar case on the damn thing since they make em all so damn delicate.
 
I think the price was high for these specs and if they had released it in other parts of the World they'd have better sales.
Can't speak for everybody but one positive is that at least now I will consider Motorola's future phones.
 
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