But while
these modular phones look nearly identical, when you look closer at the specs — and especially the price — they're actually quite different.
Project Ara's smart
modular phone looks like it's going to disappoint a lot of people because the device will already have all the components built in and offer users a handful of add on components that can only be bought from the develop, which is Google.
Not exact matches
There's a
look at the replaceable battery and
modular nature of the new
phone, plus the first two modules: the LG Cam Plus with its extra 1,200 mAh battery capacity and the LG Hi - Fi Plus 32 - bit DAC that was developed in partnership with Bang & Olufsen.
But this time, LG opted for a removable backplate instead of the slide - out battery from its
modular design in the G5, which gives the
phone a more traditional
look and feel.
Of course, when it comes to the Moto Z the
phone itself is only half the story; the other very important part of this
phone's s narrative are the accompanying Moto Mods, a collection of
modular accessories that snap onto the back of the device and add additional functionality or change the
look and feel of the
phone.
The overall construction and
look of the
phone makes it feel both gentlemanly and industrial, from the alternating gray lines on the metal plate on the back to the exposed pins at the bottom for the
modular connectivity.
LG may have abandoned its
modular ambitions with the LG G6, but the G5 from 2016 may suit you if you're
looking for a
phone that offers something different.
On the eve of the launch of its replacement, the LG G6, a
look back at the G5 and what worked and didn't on this
modular phone.
The Moto Z Play therefore fixes some of the gripes we had with the Moto Z, and opens
modular smartphone accessories to a whole new audience
looking for a cheaper
phone.
If you're in need of a new smartphone but are
looking for something different than the usual offerings from Apple or Samsung, it's worth checking out LG's latest flagship
phone, the
modular LG G5, which could fit your style and need.
If you're
looking for a
modular device, Motorola has a line of great Moto Mods which work on a number of
phones including the Moto Z2 Force and Z2 Play.
Not only do these modules
look to be straight up challenging the LG G5 in the «
modular phone» segment, they also seem very reminiscent of how Lenovo plugs together different functional modules in its «ThinkPad Stack» accessory products.
From the
look of things, Essential is crafting
modular accessories that gives the
phone capabilities it can't deliver on its own, which is evidenced by the 360 - degree AR camera.
The Essential
Phone will sport a nearly bezel-less screen — similar to the
look of the Galaxy S8 — and offer up a
modular design that lets you attach accessories to the device, not unlike the Moto Z line.