What is a modular phone?

We’re sure you’re no stranger to the fact that all your gadgets – whether smartphones, laptops, or tablets, have a finite lifespan. No matter how well you maintain them, they eventually grow old, and you are left with no choice but to upgrade to a new one.

While that largely is the case for smartphones, imagine a device on which you could swap out parts on the fly. Which would (theoretically) allow it to last forever. Intrigued? Meet the modular phone.

Modular phones: Everything you need to know

The basic idea behind a modular phone is to allow a user to customise it according to their needs. This could be swapping out camera modules for higher-resolution images, installing a different RAM module for better multitasking capabilities, or even a bigger battery to allow for longer hours of usage.

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All of these modules are attached to the motherboard of the phone and can be swapped out easily. Moreover, one can do so in their homes or on the go, without actually having to visit a service centre.

The advantage with these devices is three-fold. First, they ensure you don’t have to burn a hole in your pockets every couple of years to buy a new phone. Second, is the endless customisability. And last but not least, they also help reduce generation of electronic waste.

Two famous examples of modular smartphones are Google’s Project Ara and Motorola’s Moto Z series of smartphones. The latter was even sold commercially, allowing you to attach different modules (also called “Moto Mods”) to them. These included dedicated speakers, a battery pack, even a projector, and more.

Why did modular phones never gain popularity?

Modular phones however never quite took off. This was due to a couple of reasons. First off, there was the high cost of the phones themselves, as well as their modules. Secondly, there was the question of having the technical know-how to swap out different modules on the phones. And lastly, these phones could often be bulkier, and not to mention, not as sturdy as their standard candy bar-design counterparts.

There is, however, no denying the very obvious advantages these devices offer. And hopefully, we see a resurgence in their popularity in the near future.