Failed smartphone trends: the modular smartphone

Manufacturers are trying everything to tempt consumers to buy a new phone. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn’t work at all. In this episode of Failed smartphone trends: the modular, customizable smartphone.

Why the modular smartphone didn’t make it

Since the introduction of smartphones, many attempts have been made to make them modular (customizable). The most radical idea was probably Google’s Project Ara. With this you would purchase separate modules such as a processor, cameras and the like and click them on a frame. This way you put together your own phone and could replace parts over time. Just like some people do with a PC.

That turned out to be a bit too ambitious, but phones that were partly modular have come onto the market. A famous example is the LG G5 from 2016. You could pull off the ‘chin’ under the screen and click a special module into it. Consider a handle with a physical camera shutter or a module that provided hi-fi sound.

The Motorola Moto Z used a similar concept. You could attach MotoMods to the pins on the back. Consider an extra large battery or even a small projector to project films. Below you see the module with a 360 degree camera.

Both the LG G5 and the Moto Z were not a great success. Although Motorola released a number of successors, the modules eventually died a silent death.

There are a number of reasons for this. Customizable modules made it much more difficult to make a smartphone completely waterproof. Many consumers found this more important than the ability to click accessories onto their device. The separate modules also cause hassle. You had to carry them with you and therefore could lose them. Ultimately, they simply did not provide enough added value.

Is there hope for the modular smartphone?

Yet the modular device is not completely dead. Earlier this year, the HMD Fusion was released, on which you can attach a game controller or a ring light for taking photos. The CMF Phone 1 takes a slightly more modest approach with interchangeable backs and accessories such as a card holder. The Fairphone 5 can also be called modular. After all, it is possible to replace the camera, battery or screen yourself.

These are small players who try to distinguish themselves from the big boys in this way. The chance that a company like Motorola will try the concept again seems small. Most consumers want simplicity and a modular smartphone does not fit that picture.

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Source: www.androidplanet.nl