User:Giriwoder/Modular smartphone

Motivation [Many writers - Elena edits]

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Freedom to repair and alter smartphones

Unlike, non modular phones that come in a limited variety of sizes and features, modular smartphones can be reconfigured with add-ons or swappable modules. This increased customization enables individuals to design their smartphones to match personal preferences and needs. Individuals may also want to personalize their phones to because it satisfies their creativity or makes them feel a stronger sense of attachment to their devices. [8]

History [Many writers - Elizabeth edits]

This section goes over the history of modular smartphones, from the first modular smartphones to the most recent ones. It also gives a detailed explanation of each modular smartphone, such as the company, design, and the failure reason.

Phonebloks (2013)

In 2013, Phonebloks was the first modular smartphone concept that attracted widespread attention. First conceptualized by Dutch industrial designer, Dave Hakkens, this smartphone is made of detachable blocks that are connected to a base Each detachable block has pins which transfer electrical signals to the base [8]. To lock the device together, two small screws are used at the base [8].

The concept of Phonebloks not only allows a customer to easily replace broken components of the phone, rather than replacing the entire device, but it also allows a customer to build and customize their perfect phone [8]. This includes upgrading to a larger storage block, or a better camera, depending on the user’s use of the component.

Project Ara (2013) [Elena]

[9] [10] [11]

Hardware [Many writers - Tuan edits]

This section explains the hardware of modular smartphones, focusing on the leading technologies used in each part of the hardware of modular smartphones. It also explains some of the new technologies introduced in modular smartphone developments.

[12] [13]

Application and Uses [Tuan and Elizabeth ]

This section gives insight into the application of modular smartphones based on the potential  future models suggested by experts and IT companies. It also covers how modular smartphones can be used in different technology fields and combined into some modern technologies.

Customization and Upgradability

In recent years, the market for consumer goods has seen a rise in mass customization (MC) (link to wikipedia article) [20]. Due to consumers' increasing demand for new product iterations within shorter time frames, the consumer goods industry is moving towards iterative product development processes and much shorter product life-cycles [20]. Thus, modular smartphones offer a way to extend the life cycles of smartphones and their components by satisfying the consumer need for incremental customizations and upgrades [20]. However, customization-intense platforms can have thousands of potential configurations, which can be extremely costly [21].

Repairability

Consumers often prematurely replace their smartphones due to degradation of certain components that experience the most mechanical stress and are costly to repair (specifically the display, battery, or back cover) [23]. Modularity in smartphones promotes self-repair over repair services by enabling consumers to swap out faulty components for functional ones without incurring service or labor costs [14]. The ability to self-repair creates positive user experience, which translates to higher satisfaction and brand loyalty [14].

Component lending

Modular components can be lended out when they are not in use by the owner is a concept not yet realized, but is being considered as a viable option to reduce e-waste [9]. Specialized components such as ultra high-definition cameras, condenser microphones, or barometers are generally costly to produce, and are only useful in very specific applications [24]. These specialized components can be lended out to users on a per-need basis, thus reducing the number of units that need to be produced and increasing the number of people who can have access to otherwise hard-to-obtain equipment [9].

Challenges

Technical limitations

Modular smartphones are difficult to miniaturize, and as a result, they  are generally bulkier and slower than non-modular phones. Because every millimeter of increased distance between modules results in decreased speeds of data travel, non-modular phones are packed closely to maintain a long battery life and ensure faster responsiveness . Since a modular smartphone is separated into individual components, the phone would not only be significantly larger in size, but its size would also be detrimental to its battery life and speed . In addition, making pluggable modules that are more space-optimal would be difficult due to the complexity of hardware configurations . Separate modules not only take up more space, but they also require individualized and self-contained boxes in order to ensure each component can be safely handled, which also adds to the device's overall size . In contrast, non-modular phones, such as the iPhone produced by Apple Inc., the memory, the processor, and the graphics circuitry are all built into a single chip . This is able to foster a faster connection and a significantly smaller device.

The intrinsically interchangeable nature of modular phones also poses a challenge as this characteristic makes these devices less sturdy. While Project Ara is currently using latches and electropermanent magnets to achieve a more durable phone, the device still has a higher potential for breaking apart than non-modular smartphones because they rely on detachable components. In addition, due to the nature of modular smartphones having removable modules, as users pry modules off, replace them, and move them around, there is an increased possibility of breakage that exceeds that of non-modular devices .

Market Uncertainty

There are also market uncertainties about consumer demand and distribution of modular smartphones. Currently, smartphone consumers prefer to have fast product iteration and individualization . There are concerns that consumers may be overwhelmed by high amount of choices and still prefer to purchase pre-packaged phones, or that the modular smartphone distribution process can not keep up with short product life-cycles . Therefore, it is unclear how viable the secondary component market would be, until products become available .

In addition to uncertainties about consumer demand, there are concerns about whether smartphone provider companies will distribute modular smartphones . Smart phone companies, like AT&T and Verizon, are profitable because of their trade-in policies and short-term contracts  . Therefore, these companies may not be as receptive to selling and promoting modular smartphones if it may risk their own profits .

While there are concerns, proponents hope that the technical challenges can be overcome and that a viable market ecosystem (the hardware version of an app store) will enable finer-grained competition that will benefit consumers with better and cheaper choices.