Chinese multinational computer technology firm, Lenovo plans to launch Motorola smartphones in the South African market sometime during the year, it was announced on Tuesday.

Last year Lenovo purchased Motorola's mobile device business from Google for $2.9 billion, a move aimed at competing with Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone market.

Lenovo EMEA president, Aymar de Lencquesaing said his company is committed and dedicated to growing its presence in the South African smartphone market.

"The Motorola brand is an iconic brand... We have every intention of bringing that brand to the South African market," he said.

"You will see mobile Motorola products this year in 2015," he explained.

According to de Lencquesaing Africa remains one of Lenovo's strategic growth regions and they are witnessing tremendous demand for Lenovo devices from their partners as well as their customers.

"It is imperative that we continue to expand and invest in the continent to deliver innovations that serve the unique needs of Africans," said de Lencquesaing.

Lenovo is the number one notebook and desktop maker in South Africa with a market share of 26.2%; however, can their Motorola devices achieve the same result?

South Africa's smartphone market is currently dominated by Samsung, Apple and BlackBerry.

In 2014 digital audience measurement company Effective Measure released its Mobile Report, which showed that only 0.8% of South African desktop internet users own Motorola mobile phones.

Tech analyst and IT consultant Liron Segev told ITWeb Africa via email correspondence that having choices is good for everyone as companies need to innovate to keep clients, which is a win for the customer.

"We are a price sensitive country and the likes of Huawei have done a good job in educating the country that you don't need to pay top money for "branded" phones when the Chinese phones are not only lower in cost but they do the exact same functions as the top end phones," he said.

Segev added, "Once Motorola comes to South Africa, they need to show they have the support network to help their clients and need to spend lots of money on advertising as ultimately this is what will win people over.

He also noted that marketing will be key in getting Motorola smartphones to sell in the country.

Samsung and Apple stay ahead and recently Huawei has stepped up their marketing spend and results are showing that their phones are selling, stated Segev.

Meanwhile, Lenovo has also expanded its YOGA tablet devices in South Africa adding the YOGA 3 Pro, YOGA Tablet 2, and the YOGA Tablet 2 Pro to its line-up.

Lenovo has stated that the additions to the YOGA line-up aim to redefine the computing experience and address users' desires for stylish devices with best-in-breed performance capabilities and the hardware and software adaptability they crave.

"The expansion of the YOGA line-up in South Africa is in line with our commitment to establishing a strong foundation in Africa," said de Lencquesaing.