‘Motorola stops X-series and niche Moto Mods with a view to making a profit’ – update

According to sources from Android Police, Motorola is refraining from announcing and releasing the Moto X5 smartphone with a view to making the company profitable again. In addition, it would also refrain from releasing Moto Mods that only appeal to a limited audience.

The Moto X5 has not been officially unveiled by the smartphone maker, but earlier this year a handful of renders were leaked showing not only this device, but also new devices from the Z and G series. According to the images, the Moto X5 would have an ‘iPhone X notch’ and an 18:9 screen. Furthermore, the phone would have two front cameras and there is probably a fingerprint scanner on the back.

At the end of last week, it was also announced that, according to sources close to Motorola, 50 percent of the workforce of the mobile division in Chicago would be laid off. it would concern 190 employees.

Motorola states in a response that the X-series “will continue”, but when that statement is placed next to that of the sources of Android Police, it seems that the X-series will be shelved for a while at best. .

Instead of the X series, the focus would then be on the E, G and Z series. The E and G series consist of more affordable smartphones and the Z series supports Moto Mods and is more expensive. According to the source of Android Police, Moto Mods with a more specific application, such as a gamepad, a slide-out keyboard and a photo printer, will no longer be a priority for the company.

It is not the first time Motorola has been laid off. In 2016, Motorola parent company Lenovo cut 1,100 jobs at the American smartphone maker, which then reportedly also comprised half of Motorola’s workforce. The year before, Lenovo’s workforce was also cut, but it is unclear whether jobs were also lost at Motorola.

Update, Monday 12.30Lenovo, Motorola’s parent company, released the following statement, partially confirming the plans: “In late 2017, Lenovo announced global adjustments for the coming quarters that will affect less than two percent of its workforce. week are a continuation of that process. We are reducing our Motorola operations in Chicago, but this does not affect half of our workforce there and our Moto Z family remains.”