It feels like ages since we last saw a modular smartphone from a major manufacturer. Motorola was perhaps the most prominent proponent of the concept, but it quietly ditched the Moto Mod system of add-ons a couple of years ago.
Would you put your money where your mouth is and buy a modular phone, be it a current device or something new? That’s the topic of our featured poll today. So make your voice heard by voting below and leaving a comment if you’ve got more to share. Just to clarify, we don’t mean phones that simply have removable batteries.
The Moto Z series was perhaps the best-known modular phone line, featuring a magnetic back that was compatible with a wide variety of hardware add-ons. These included better cameras, speakers, power banks, gamepads, a projector, and even a module that brought 5G to the table. But you couldn’t actually swap core parts of the phone for other bits, such as swapping out the integrated camera or battery.
This same approach was taken by the ill-fated LG G5 in 2016, offering a “magazine” slot for accessories like a camera grip and a Hi-Fi DAC. But LG didn’t offer anything else of note, with the firm ditching the modular concept for 2017’s G6.
Fortunately, the Fairphone range is also around, with the Fairphone 3 and 3 Plus launched in 2019 and 2020 respectively. These devices indeed offer a modular design, with Fairphone 3 users even able to swap out their cameras for upgraded modules.
Would you buy a modular device like the Fairphone range or Moto Z phones? Let us know in the poll above.
