Motorola's Tablet History and Current Status

Motorola does not currently make tablets for the consumer market. The company stopped producing tablets years ago and has focused entirely on smartphones and mobile devices. If you own an older Motorola tablet, it was likely made before 2014, when the company exited the tablet business.

Motorola was once a serious tablet competitor. The company released the Xoom in 2011, which ran Android and competed directly with the iPad. However, as the tablet market shifted and competition intensified, Motorola decided to concentrate its resources on phones instead. Today, Motorola (owned by Lenovo since 2014) makes only smartphones under the Moto brand, ranging from budget models to higher-end devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Motorola stopped making tablets around 2014 and has not returned to the tablet market since then.
  • The company's only current products are smartphones sold under the Moto brand name.
  • If you need a tablet, you will need to look at other manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, or Lenovo.
  • Older Motorola tablets like the Xoom may still work but will not receive software updates and parts are difficult to find.

What Happened to Motorola Tablets

Motorola released its first tablet, the Xoom, in 2011 as an Android alternative to the iPad. The device had a 10-inch screen, a dual-core processor, and ran Android 3.0 Honeycomb. It was one of the first tablets to challenge Apple's dominance, but it arrived at a high price point and faced stiff competition from Samsung's Galaxy Tab and other Android tablets.

Over the next few years, Motorola released a few more tablet models, but the market became increasingly crowded and profit margins shrank. By 2013 and 2014, Motorola made the decision to exit the tablet business entirely. The company was also acquired by Lenovo in 2014, which further shifted the focus away from tablets. Lenovo already had its own tablet line and saw no reason to maintain two separate product families.

Where to Find Tablets Today

If you are looking for a tablet, several manufacturers still actively make them. Apple dominates the market with its iPad line, which ranges from the basic iPad to the iPad Pro. Samsung makes the Galaxy Tab series, which offers Android tablets at various price points. Lenovo itself makes tablets under the Lenovo brand, as does Amazon with its Fire tablets.

Each manufacturer offers different features, screen sizes, and price ranges. Your choice will depend on whether you prefer iOS (Apple), Android (Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon), or what features matter most to you—such as screen size, processing power, or stylus support. Visiting a retailer or checking manufacturer websites will show you the current models available.

Using an Older Motorola Tablet

If you still own a Motorola Xoom or another older Motorola tablet, it may still turn on and run basic apps. However, these devices are now quite old—some are over a decade old—and face real limitations. The operating system will not receive security updates, which means your device is vulnerable to new threats. Many modern apps no longer support the older Android versions that Motorola tablets ran.

Finding replacement parts, chargers, or batteries for older Motorola tablets is also difficult. Retailers stopped stocking these items years ago, and you would need to search secondhand markets or specialty sellers. If your tablet still works and you use it only for light tasks like reading or watching videos on your home network, it may still be functional. But for anything requiring security or access to current apps, a newer device from an active manufacturer is a better choice.

Motorola's Focus on Smartphones

Today, Motorola concentrates entirely on the smartphone market. The company makes phones at multiple price levels, from budget-friendly models to premium devices. Motorola phones run Android and compete with Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android manufacturers. The company has found success in the mid-range market, where it offers good performance and clean software at reasonable prices.

By narrowing its focus to phones, Motorola avoids spreading its resources too thin. This strategy has allowed the company to remain profitable and relevant in a competitive market. However, it also means that anyone looking for a Motorola tablet will find nothing in the current product lineup.

Lenovo's Tablet Options

Since Lenovo owns Motorola, you might wonder whether Lenovo makes tablets. The answer is yes—Lenovo produces tablets under its own brand name, not under the Motorola brand. Lenovo tablets run Android and come in various sizes, from small 7-inch models to larger 12-inch screens. They are sold through retailers and Lenovo's website.

If you want a tablet from the same parent company that owns Motorola, a Lenovo tablet is your option. However, these are separate product lines with different designs, features, and price points. Lenovo tablets are not marketed as Motorola devices and do not carry the Motorola brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy a new Motorola tablet?

No. Motorola does not make tablets anymore. You can only find used or refurbished Motorola tablets on secondhand markets, but these devices are old and no longer receive updates. For a new tablet, you will need to choose from other manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, or Lenovo.

Will Motorola ever make tablets again?

There is no indication that Motorola plans to return to the tablet market. The company has committed to smartphones as its core business. Lenovo, which owns Motorola, already makes tablets under the Lenovo brand, so there is little business reason for Motorola to enter the market again.

Is my old Motorola Xoom still safe to use?

An older Motorola tablet can still work for basic tasks, but it is not safe for sensitive activities. The device will not receive security updates, leaving it vulnerable to threats. If you use it only for offline reading or video watching at home, the risk is lower. For anything involving passwords, banking, or personal information, a newer device is safer.

What is the closest alternative to a Motorola tablet?

Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets run Android like older Motorola tablets did, so they offer a similar experience with modern hardware and software support. If you prefer a different operating system, Apple's iPad is the market leader. Lenovo tablets are also an option since Lenovo owns Motorola.