Motorola vs Samsung: Smartphone Reliability Compared
Which smartphone brand is more reliable? Side-by-side comparison based on 973 real repair records from community repair events.
Data from openrepair.org (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 2,511 total smartphone records
Last updated:
The Bottom Line
Motorola has a slight repairability edge at 50.9% vs 46%, though both brands can typically be fixed when something goes wrong. Both brands show similar longevity, with smartphones typically coming in for repair around 4.1 years old. They break in different ways. Motorola's most common issue is Battery/Power (22.6%), while Samsung mostly comes in for Screen/Display (16.8%).
If durability matters most:
Motorola has the repairability edge. When your smartphone eventually needs repair, Motorola is more likely to be fixable. Both brands show similar longevity, so this advantage is the tiebreaker.
Based on 973 real repair records from community repair events. Scroll down for the full data breakdown.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Motorola | Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| Fix Rate | 50.9% | 46% |
| ValueCost per reliability point | $8.05/pt | $13.56/pt |
| Top Failure | Battery/Power (22.6%) | Screen/Display (16.8%) |
| Sample Size | 106 | 867 |
| Avg. Age at Repair | 4.1 years | 4.5 years |
| iFixit Score0-10 scale | 5.7/10 | 4.4/10 |
| French Repairability IndexGovernment-mandated, 0-10 | N/A | 6.9/10avg of 34 models |
Price Comparison
Like-for-like pricing across product tiers. Prices are approximate.
Premium
No premium smartphone from Motorola
Samsung
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Below 30-day avg
Value
Motorola
Moto G Power - 2026 | Unlocked
Below 30-day avg
Budget
Motorola
Moto G Play | 2024 | Unlocked
Below 30-day avg
Samsung
NOTE 20 N981U 128GB GREEN
Below 30-day avg
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Common Failure Types
Motorola
Samsung
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Motorola or Samsung more reliable for smartphones?
Based on 973 repair records, Motorola is more reliable with a 50.9% fix rate vs 46% for Samsung.
What are the most common Motorola vs Samsung smartphone failures?
Motorola's top issues are battery/power and screen/display. Samsung's top issues are screen/display and battery/power.
Which smartphone brand lasts longer, Motorola or Samsung?
Both brands show similar longevity, with devices averaging around 4.1 years before needing repair.
Should I buy Motorola or Samsung if durability matters?
If durability is your priority, Motorola edges ahead with a higher fix rate, meaning repairs are more likely to succeed when needed. The best choice still depends on your specific model and usage.
Check a Specific Model
Brand averages only go so far. Your specific model matters too. See repair costs, repairability scores, and failure data for individual smartphones.