Lenovo's ZUK Mobile sub-brand is being killed, less than two years after its debut

by Kaloyan C. / Apr 26, 2017, 7:29 AM

We've known for some time that Lenovo was looking to shift its mobile business strategy, or at least the way it's branded – as it currently stands, the company sells phones under three different names: Moto, Lenovo, and ZUK Mobile. Up until now, that is – it appears that, as part of this internal shift, the youngest of the three brand names will be killed off entirely.

ZUK started its brief life less than two years ago, and released a total of five devices, the latest of which was last year's ZUK Edge. The move doesn't seem to have been motivated by financial reasons, as devices did relatively well on the market, particularly in their homeland of China.

The news comes from a conversation on Chinese social media platform Weibo, which revealed that the release of the third ZUK-branded flagship, Z3, won't be happening due to the semi-independent Lenovo division's closing. However, one thing from the company will survive: the custom ZUI Android UI was previously confirmed to be making its way to Moto phones, but only in China.

Those mourning the unfortunate passing of such a young, fledgling company can ease the pain by watching its very first promo video, which we've helpfully embedded below (headphones strongly recommended).

source: GizChina via GSMArena

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8 Comments

1. GreenMan

Posts: 2674; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

One less sheep in the herd, eh? Baaa... No worries, when one Android dies, two shows up to take its place...! G'Day!

posted on Apr 26, 2017, 7:35 AM 2

2. Lumia_Luigi

Posts: 173; Member since: Mar 22, 2017

I hope they sell Motorola

posted on Apr 26, 2017, 8:13 AM 1

3. Zylam

Posts: 1753; Member since: Oct 20, 2010

I was excited when the ZUK 1 was teased but when it actually came out, it looked pretty meh. Totally forgot ZUK even existed since then. Other probably did too.

posted on Apr 26, 2017, 10:00 AM 0

4. Moose

Posts: 418; Member since: Jan 05, 2015

I have the 5 inch Zuk 2 - fantastic phone with SD820 and 2-day battery, good looking, high end phone - can still buy them for about $199 or less, best value for money phone still. Shame they are closing down, don't think they promoted them enough to gain wider attention. Much better looking phones than any Moto - with their ugly wide bezels.

posted on Apr 26, 2017, 10:20 AM 1

5. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"don't think they promoted them enough to gain wider attention. Much better looking phones than any Moto - with their ugly wide bezels." You think promotion and marketing alone would have help ZUK attain major recognition in just 2 years? No way.

posted on Apr 26, 2017, 11:49 AM 0

6. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

it has good specs and price on paper.. flagship's processor and low-mid price, but it's cheaply made.. bad design, bad UI, bad camera, bad performance (and not so bad battery life).. they should learn something from xiaomi and oneplus..

posted on Apr 26, 2017, 12:11 PM 1

7. bvalde09

Posts: 191; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

As a Formal user of the Zuk Z1 they should haven't kill the brand the phone its pretty good. I will buy the Zuk Z2 Pro over any bigger flagship. Its very sad 4 me that I wont see a third generation