Motorola unveils 3 smart phones for return to China following acquisition by Lenovo

Motorola, acquired last year by computer maker Lenovo Group, has unveiled three smartphones for its return to China following a two-year absence from the most populous mobile phone market.

Motorola said Monday that buyers of its flagship Moto X model will be able to pick colors, features and exterior materials that include leather and wood. The 16GB version will start at 3,299 yuan ($540).

Motorola, one of China's earliest mobile phone brands in the 1980s, left the country in 2013 following its acquisition by Google Inc. Beijing-based Lenovo bought the Motorola mobile phone business last year to expand its presence in wireless devices.

Motorola faces intense competition in China, where Apple, Samsung and local brand Xiaomi are spending heavily to appeal to local customers.