Earlier we wrote that we do not see the salvation of the smartphone market, the modular smartphone, but what is really happening now with these devices? How do you like the FairPhone 2 to use and what can we expect from Project Ara? Time to pick up modular Android apart.
Whether modular Android now just a gimmick or the future of the smartphone market, can not be predicted. Anyway, we have to make the time being. Modular smartphones are Android devices that consist of loose parts in varying degrees. This structure may be added functions such as whether the devices are easier to fix. The LG G5 does it with a slot in which modules can be inserted in order to expand the base with new features. Think are placed in a module for enhanced audio or physical buttons on the camera.
Motorola does it with the Moto Z via fairly large modules on the back. Also, this allows you to add new features, such as a projector, a second battery or better speakers. In both cases, it is not therefore a device that is modular in the base, but that you add something on that basis. FairPhone however approaching the modular smartphone completely different.
FairPhone 2
From the back watched the FairPhone two attractive device. You see the various components are located under the transparent cover and that makes for a pretty picture. However, if you pick up the device, instantly falls in thickness. This allows the FairPhone 2 feels almost like a toy version of a smartphone. The advantage is that you do not have to buy separate cases need more because the back protects the hardware inside and the edges on the front of the unit to protect the screen.
If still break down the screen, it can according FairPhone be repaired in less than a minute. In this case, the value of the modular nature of the FairPhone 2. Not that you can upgrade your device, or you can add features, but that they may be should something go play easily replaced. Hence, the device which is thicker than the competition, because the parts are not glued.
Good for the environment
The FairPhone 2 has fortunately more to offer than the modular character. So you know that the materials come from a good place and combine that with the easy fix to a device that’s good for the environment. There you also pay for it.
The Fairphone 2 in terms of hardware is not very special, with a Snapdragon 801 chip and 2GB of RAM under the hood. There is no fingerprint scanner on the device, there is no NFC present, the battery capacity is only 2420mAh and the camera does not impress compared to other devices on the market. You expect more for the price of 529.38 euros which prompted the FairPhone shop. This makes the device so mostly interesting for people who want to pay more to reduce their carbon footprint instead of actually adding anything.
Project Ara
the hope is for a modular smartphone currently at Project Ara Google itself. Once this would be the platform for the ultimate modular smartphone, where you can even upgrade the base. This view, however, is switched back in the course of time. The base of the smartphone remains the same, but you can back all cram with small or larger modules
Read also:. Modular smartphones are not of the smartphone market rescue
Although it is not what we had originally hoped, it looks very attractive. Project Ara is the superlative of some LG and Motorola do, with many more opportunities to customize your device itself . Either via modules that add features, but also modules that customize the look of your device. So you can make your smartphone so much more personal than just a case.
The idea behind the modules
In all devices is of course an idea choice for modular Android. LG and Motorola to sell more hardware to make money in a market where there are fewer smartphones are sold. FairPhone proposes to do for the environment. Although FairPhone itself is not a charity and also just want to make money, is the emphasis on the environment is a clever way to address a specific part of the market.
Behind Project Ara is also more than a great device to adapt . This view of modular Android is an important step for Google. The fact is both the first real Google smartphone and a completely new platform that does not stop at a few devices. Namely Google hopes that various companies will soon start making based smartphones where these modules can be placed. Buy better players, you can move it from smartphone to smartphone. So it is not a device with a gimmick, as it is currently at the LG G5 and the Moto Z nevertheless feels a bit, but a new product that can be very large and where Google maintains full control over.
identity
the modular smartphone still lacks a clear identity for the consumer. One smartphone has a tray for small modules, the other a back where you can put one big module and another has room for numerous modules that you possibly can move from smartphone to smartphone. You also have the FairPhone also a modular smartphone that you, the customer, nothing else can life than a normal smartphone, apart from a nice feeling that you’re saving the world.
With all these devices, however, is not to mention modular as we hoped there. None of these devices can be upgraded by purchasing a new base part and then replace it yourself. Your RAM upgrade or even stop a new processor in your phone as you would now upgrade a PC, there is, unfortunately, for the time being not yet.
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