Samsung steals Motorola's claim to fame, takes number one spot in US phone sales

No matter how dire Motorola's situation may be, it's still been able to cling to one last title keeping it firmly entrenched in the ranks of the world's mobile manufacturing elite: US phone sales. For years, Motorola has ridden the RAZR gravy train to success on its home turf more than any other, keeping more globally relevant rivals like Nokia and LG at bay. No longer, though -- Samsung has finally dethroned Moto, upping its share of the US market to 22.4 percent from 16.2 percent a year ago. That leaves Motorola in number two with 21.1 percent, a shocking fall from 32.7 percent in 2007. LG's knocking on the door at 20.5 percent, so unless the boys and girls in Chicago can get their Android-supportin' butts in gear on the double, we could see a drop to number three within a quarter or two.

[holycow @ Nov 7th 2008 1:19AM]

the sad Moto logo would've been appropriate here.

[Craig @ Nov 7th 2008 1:20AM]

I think Motorola's been watching the American automobile industry too long...starting to adopt some of the same bad habits and finding itself in a similarly bad spot.

[Apple Fanboy @ Nov 7th 2008 2:10AM]

Sad, but true. Here's hoping that this increase in sales might finally get us some of Samsung's high end phones though...

[)ROFL( @ Nov 7th 2008 1:36AM]

I still love my MOTO Q9h, solid performance at an equally great price.

[tom @ Nov 7th 2008 8:31AM]

Then you should have try other brand of smartphones, so you can tell the difference and see how inferior motorola products are.

[thethirdmoose @ Nov 7th 2008 1:44AM]

I like samsung. Their phones are stylish and easy to use. However, their customer support is mediocre. My phone broke, and Samsung wanted me to send it to them to get it repaired, which would have taken about a month (while I was paying for service!). Luckily, I called Sprint and they were able to replace it for me via 2-day air for free (cross-shipped).

[Ellianth @ Nov 7th 2008 2:43AM]

Yeah... cuz there's no way you could screw them over if they sent you a brand new phone without you sending in the broken one.

[Brandon @ Nov 7th 2008 5:12PM]

I think you are missing the point.... Samsung takes way too long to repair their phones, and will refuse to send a replacement out until they have "confirmed" that there is a problem, even when it is a widespread samsung issue.

I had a friend who was duped by a support guy into thinking that a bug on her phone was caused by a phone virus spreading through mms (which the phone didn't even support!), and had no phone for over 40 days, plus still had to pay her contract during that time. She got it back and they concluded there was nothing wrong.

[Ryan @ Nov 7th 2008 2:19AM]

Samsung make great, high quality phone's, and this definitely reflects that.

[asg84 @ Nov 7th 2008 2:36AM]

motorola should be happy for being able to keep 21.1% share with those outdated set of phones.

[Johan S @ Nov 7th 2008 2:42AM]

Samsung deserves it.

[Johan S @ Nov 7th 2008 2:45AM]

How could Motorola have been so stupid to rest on their laurels like how Palm did?

[Andrew @ Nov 7th 2008 3:09AM]

What's a Motorola? They are dead in Europe, simply out of fashion because of their tech and designs. Remember, Nokia, is the world's number one cellphone maker. And the US market is an oddity with your phone companies and their practices. Other markets are far larger like Europe, China, Korea, Japan etc.

[Kelmon @ Nov 7th 2008 6:25AM]

Indeed - I'm honestly more shocked to learn that they were even still a player in the market, let alone (previously) #1 in the US.

[2kblaze @ Nov 7th 2008 4:36AM]

Samsung: below me.
Motorola: below me?
Samsung: exactly.

[Zane @ Nov 7th 2008 8:14AM]

Samsung: How's the view down there?
Moto: It's a bloody jungle out here and it frickin stinks!

[higeki @ Nov 7th 2008 10:51AM]

Samsung: "How's the view down there?"
Motorola: "Great! I can see you guys eating dogs while still simmering in bitterness and hate towards the Japanese!"

[Danel @ Nov 7th 2008 6:59PM]

Thats stupid,
Not all Koreans eat dogs and there are other countries that eat dogs,
Also plus every country are jealous of each other like Korea is jealous of Japan cause they are world leaders in the Automotive Industry and Japan is jealous of Korea cause they are a world leader in the Electronics Industry

[dandan @ Nov 7th 2008 10:34PM]

last time i checked, japanese ate whales which is far worse since whales are nearly extinct.
dogs? well, they're not known as "man's best friend" in asia as opposed to western countries.
cultural sensitivities wouldve been nice but noticing the origin of your name, i shouldn't get my hopes high.

ALSO

is it so hard to give Samsung a pat on the back for a good effort? their efforts certainly paid off and japanese mobile phone makers should learn something from the korean brand.

[dandan @ Nov 7th 2008 10:35PM]

*sensitivity

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 7th 2008 12:59PM]

I have seen this coming for a while now.

Goodbye Moto.