Most contemporary smartphones largely look the same – slabs of plastic, metal and glass, with large touchscreen displays, front and back cameras, and physical buttons thrown here and there for good measure. They generally last a few years, and since they can’t be opened or improved with new hardware, users are usually forced to buy a new one after the advance of technology renders their handset obsolete. This design standard has barely changed over the last ten years, and its popularity can be mainly attributed to the huge success of the original iPhone that premiered in 2007.
However, another form factor has also been trying to break through and entice the mass consumer over the last several years. Compared to the common designs described above, this approach aims to lower repair costs and electronic waste, while improving on longevity and user comfort at the same time. What are we talking about? Modular phones, of course!
In this article, we’ll take a look at how the whole concept started, which are the most successful attempts for modular handsets to date, and we’re also going to share our opinion on what the future may hold for modular gadgets. Without further ado, lets dig in!
The history of modular design
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