The world of technology is cyclical. It is fascinating to see how what was dated a few years ago in one sector of technology could now be the future in another. We talk about the modular smartphones, which could become the standard within a few years. Motorola could launch a customizable smartphone, but modular smartphones could be the future.
The case of Motorola is the most recent, and the company would be about to launch its new Motorola Moto X, a smartphone that will initially only be launched in the United States and will be customizable. That is, buyers will be the ones who choose the smartphone's appearance, and the price will depend on what they choose. It seems that right now they won't be able to choose the processor or RAM, but they will have the option to choose the color and memory capacity, and since Motorola is a company, it wouldn't be surprising if they could choose the battery. The possibilities aren't that vast, but it's something. Anyone would think that the future lies in being able to choose the smartphone's processor, RAM, camera, or screen. However, the future is somewhat different, and it could be based on modular smartphones.
Modular smartphones
To make it easier to understand, we'll use a concept developed by Francois Rybarczyk called the Sony XTRUD, which represents a smartphone with interchangeable modules. This way, we don't have a single device that will always be the same, but rather we will be able to change modules to make it better. The concept you can see in the photographs throughout the article shows how the battery can be modified, as well as the camera, to obtain the most up-to-date modules. And the same could happen with hardware components which would serve, for example, to add additional controls.
Beyond the concept, the central idea is to build a platform where the chassis, display, and some structural elements are maintained, while the rest of the hardware is replaceable. This opens the door to a much longer life cycle of the device, piecemeal upgrades and deep customization without having to change the entire phone.
Developing the future
However, to understand what modular smartphones could be, we must stop and think about how the situation could develop. Today, they are manufactured high-end smartphones from 600 euros with a series of specific features. Then, they'll launch smartwatches. And all this without taking into account that after a year and a half, at most, these will be quite outdated, and will need to be replaced with new smartphones or smartwatches, or if we have both, double the expense, or triple that if we include tablets.
What would be the interesting future? The modular smartphone. A smartphone that would cost little money, and that would only have a basic processor, basic RAM, and the chosen screen, which would be the only thing we couldn't easily change. The screen and a chassis These would determine whether it's a smartphone, a tablet, or a smartwatch. From there, everything would be modules.
This view fits with real attempts that explored modularity as a platform: initiatives that proposed a endoskeleton on which to attach modules, open development kits for third parties and even Print 3D of housings and external components to accelerate customization.
Smart modules
These modules wouldn't be unique. They would be modules that we could buy and add to the tablet, smartphone, or smartwatch. What kind of modules could they be? For example, a camera. We could buy a small module that was a camera, and that we could use with our smartwatch, smartphone, or tablet. All of them would be ready to install modules, just as if they were... lego pieces. Want an improved sound system? Then we can buy a module with a quality speaker, or two modules to create a stereo sound system. Similarly, although we can't replace the RAM, we can buy a module to upgrade it. And best of all, after a year, we can buy a new, higher-quality module that will still work for the same smartphone. Or we can do the opposite: buy a new smartphone and use modules that are still working, such as the stereo speakers, the camera if it was high-quality, the memory, or the GPS module.
In the past, this approach would have meant carrying real computers in your pocket, as each module would ultimately make carrying the smartphone impossible. However, today's manufacturing possibilities are much greater. And it's not just a matter of manufacturing anymore; operating systems like Android, which have managed to run on smartphones from different brands, could have laid the groundwork for standardization, which would mean I could carry a smartphone with modules from Sony, Samsung, LG, and other brands. After all, isn't that what happens today? No matter how much Samsung makes a smartphone, or Sony does, in the end they always have... screens, processors and cameras that they do not manufacture.
In terms of design, hybrid approaches have been considered: "universal" modules (audio, battery, camera) that work in various formats and sizes, and "specific" modules for advanced functions. Some proposals even contemplate the same module can be used on a mobile phone, tablet or watch, with adapter cases.
Technical and business challenges
Modularity brings with it compromises. A modular phone tends to be thicker and heavier than a sealed one, and losing its tightness complicates water resistance certifications. Furthermore, the anchoring and connector system adds complexity, costs, and potential losses in electrical or thermal efficiency.
Compatibility is another front. With heterogeneous hardware, the software must consider a wide range of combination matrixIf a graphics-intensive game or app hasn't been tested with a specific modular GPU, questions arise: what if our favorite game doesn't run on the graphics card we chose? Open standards, performance profiling, and automatic app store validation are key to mitigating this.
The incentive for third parties requires scale: a module catalog will be attractive if there is a large and stable device fleet over time. Hence, many proposals relied on a Module Developer's Kit (MDK) and open hardware, with the idea of ​​lowering barriers to entry and accelerating innovation in new modules.
Even major manufacturers have explored intermediate avenues. Xiaomi has filed a patent for a modular phone divided into three sections: a top part with cameras, motherboard and storage, a central section containing the battery and a lower section containing the USB port and speakers. Concepts like the ZTE Eco-Mobius also emerged, and, at the time, the push from Phonebloks (Dave Hakkens) helped popularize the idea. Many of these experiments remained in the prototype or patent phase, but they provided valuable lessons.
Sustainability and the right to repair
The strongest motivation for modularity is the e-waste reductionTens of millions of tons of e-waste are generated each year, and only a fraction is recycled or reused. A modular mobile device allows discard parts and not the entire device, extending their useful life and reducing the volume of technological waste.
Design determines a large part of the environmental impact. Ecodesign experts remind us that up to 80% of the impact The quality of a product is defined in its design phase. Choosing recycled materials, repairable structures and replaceable modules is essential. Research is carried out with bioplastics based on cellulose and new compounds that facilitate disassembly, as well as 3D printing for housings and external parts that simplify repair.
In addition, the "right to repair" trend and official programs for selling components, manuals, and tools have grown. While they don't make a phone completely modular, they foster a culture of affordable repair and compatible with the warranty, aligned with the modular philosophy.
Technologies that converge with modularity
trends that can enhance it:
- AI and machine learning: They optimize cameras, energy and performance, and could manage module profiles according to use (work, leisure, travel).
- Flexible and foldable screens: : Size-changing designs could be supported by modules that deliver more battery or speakers when “tablet” mode is active.
- 5G/6G networks: Low-latency connectivity powers dedicated modules for AR/VR, streaming, or cloud gaming.
- Next-generation batteries: Interchangeable battery modules with higher density, ultra-fast charging, or longer-range wireless technologies.
- Biometrics and health: Modular sensors (heart rate, oxygen, pressure) and under-display cameras as upgradeable modules.
- IoT and automotive: the mobile phone as a hub, with modules for home automation, digital car keys or specialized short-range communications.
Practical scenarios: a different phone for every moment
Just being able to select which parts we want our phone to include when it leaves the factory and being able to replace them if they break or become old sounds great. But the trick is adapting it to the context. With a modular system, you can have a different phone for every moment of the day: for work, without a camera and with a lot of batteryFor travel, multimedia and an advanced camera; for gaming, power and audio; for going out, minimal configuration for safety. As simple as removing and installing modules.
Xiaomi's idea in patents with sliding sections points to this: modules that allow changing the set of cameras according to needs and budget, and a battery that can adapt to longer work days. While the current integration of processor, RAM, and storage into a single SoC limits high-level modularity, there's still plenty of scope for photography, power, connectivity, and sound.
Is it possible to see such a future? Recent history shows brilliant attempts that failed to achieve mass adoption, and an industry where "many try, but the same old people win." However, the pressures of sustainability, the right to repair, software maturity, and advances in materials and manufacturing are aligning. If modularity focuses on modules that truly add value (power, camera, audio, sensors, connectivity) and is supported by standards and generational continuity, its proposition becomes compelling once again.
Modularity doesn't have to replace sealed phones; it can coexist as an alternative for those who prioritize durability, customization, and waste reduction. If manufacturers, regulators, and the community align on standards and guarantees, modular smartphones can move from being an experiment to a sustainable ecosystem with a real impact on how we buy, use, and upgrade technology.