Motorola, a brand synonymous with mobile innovation, is embarking on an ambitious new journey—one that extends beyond smartphones and into a more integrated ecosystem of connected devices. With the launch of the Moto Book 60 and Moto Tab 60 Pro, the company has signalled its intent to become a holistic digital lifestyle player in India. This move not only marks Motorola’s entry into the competitive laptop and tablet space but also aligns closely with the broader strategy of creating a seamless and immersive consumer experience.
Backed by the strength and synergy of Lenovo’s legacy in the PC business, Motorola is leveraging its brand trust and engineering prowess to bridge the gap between affordability and performance. In this exclusive interaction, Mr. TM Narasimhan, Managing Director, Mobile Business Group, Motorola India, delves into the rationale behind this expansion, the brand’s evolving identity as an ecosystem player, and how the India market is shaping Motorola’s future roadmap.
What inspired Motorola to expand beyond smartphones into the broader smart device ecosystem, and how does this align with evolving consumer trends in India?
Globally, consumer electronics have evolved into deeply personal devices—extensions of an individual’s identity. At Motorola, our core has always been innovation and technology, but the pivot we’ve taken over the past few years is toward becoming a lifestyle tech brand. Our collaboration with Pantone and our focus on design are all part of this evolution.
The idea of expanding into the broader smart device ecosystem came directly from consumer feedback. Our users told us, “You’ve given us a smartphone that reflects who we are—why not a laptop, tablet, or earbuds with the same identity?” That led us to introduce the Moto Buds series last year, and now we’re building on that with the Moto Book 60 and Moto Pad 60 Pro.
Our mission is to create a cohesive and immersive experience by offering a seamless ecosystem across devices—anchored in a strong design identity, exceptional user experience, and powerful tech innovation.
How do the newly launched Moto Book 60 and Moto Pad 60 Pro fit into Motorola’s long-term vision in India?
These devices are a natural extension of our brand philosophy. The Moto Book 60 and Moto Pad 60 Pro are not isolated product launches—they’re part of a broader effort to redefine how consumers interact with technology in their daily lives.
We are delivering a consistent Motorola identity—right from the Pantone-inspired colors and sleek design to the intuitive UI/UX. We’ve also introduced Smart Connect 2.0, a proprietary technology that offers seamless connectivity between Motorola smartphones and Windows-based devices. This ecosystem approach ensures our users can move fluidly between devices, enriching their overall digital experience. Ultimately, these products represent our transition from a smartphone-only brand to a comprehensive smart devices player.
How does Motorola plan to position these products—are you targeting students, professionals, or a broader base of consumers?
We’re not segmenting by traditional labels like students or working professionals. Instead, we’re focused on consumers who want to stand out—those who appreciate premium design, seamless user experience, and brand identity.
Motorola already enjoys strong traction with Gen Z, but our appeal is expanding across demographics. We aim to connect with users who resonate with our lifestyle-tech positioning—people who care about design, want functional performance, and appreciate thoughtful UI/UX.
So, whether you’re a student, a creative professional, or someone who simply wants a cohesive and beautiful digital experience, the Moto Book and Moto Pad are designed for you.
Since Motorola is part of Lenovo, which already has a strong presence in laptops and tablets, how do you address concerns of brand overlap or internal competition? Would there be synergies between the two brands?
That’s a valid question, and we see it as an opportunity rather than a conflict. Every brand under the Lenovo umbrella has its own identity and consumer base. Motorola’s strength lies in design, lifestyle integration, and user-centric UI/UX.
In fact, there are significant synergies. Lenovo is the world’s No.1 PC maker, and we are leveraging its global supply chain, procurement expertise, and R&D capabilities. It would be impractical to build a laptop or tablet from the ground up without utilizing that ecosystem.
But what differentiates Motorola is the brand narrative and identity we’ve developed with our smartphone users. We’re taking those learnings—particularly around user experience and design—and extending them to our new categories while keeping Motorola’s identity front and center.
Can you share insights into your go-to-market strategy for these new products? Will Motorola leverage its smartphone distribution channels or adopt a new retail/online model?
Our go-to-market (GTM) strategy is designed around consumer availability and adaptability. We plan to leverage insights from our smartphone journey, but also remain flexible based on where consumer demand emerges.
Not all smartphone retailers sell laptops, and vice versa. That’s why we’ve launched initially with partners like Flipkart and Reliance Digital—platforms that have a wide reach and consumer trust. We’ll continue to assess consumer behavior post-launch and tweak our distribution strategy accordingly. If we see higher demand from certain channels or geographies, we will pivot quickly. That agility has been a core part of our smartphone growth, and we’ll bring the same dynamism to our broader device GTM.
What excites you the most about this new chapter as Motorola moves from smartphones to becoming a full-spectrum smart devices brand?
What excites me is the opportunity to build an ecosystem that’s deeply personal, visually distinctive, and delightfully seamless. Consumers today are looking for more than just specs—they want a unified digital lifestyle, something that feels uniquely theirs.
With Smart Connect 2.0, Pantone colors, Dolby speakers, and curated user experience, we’re not just launching devices—we’re creating continuity. Whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or audio device, the Motorola identity will be instantly recognizable and enjoyable. That vision—to create a tech brand that emotionally connects with users—is what drives us.
Finally, where do you see Motorola’s position in the Indian tech ecosystem two to three years down the line?
Our goal is not just to expand, but to build a unified ecosystem where users can experience seamless transitions between devices. We want Motorola to be top-of-mind not only for smartphones, but for smart devices that complement every aspect of modern digital life.
If we continue to stay agile, listen to our consumers, and uphold our design-led, user-first philosophy, I’m confident that Motorola will be among the most trusted and loved tech brands in India.
