Andy Rubin, aka the father of Android, just released the Essential PH-1, and aside from having top-of-the-line components inside, it's a modular phone to boot.
This type of handset is pretty widespread, but flagship makers such as Apple and Samsung aren't exactly betting on it just yet. That's likely because it's not that easy to sell it to the current market.
How Can The Essential PH-1 Find Success In Modular Phones?
The Essential PH-1 more or less falls under the definition of a modular phone nowadays. It's comparable with the likes of Moto Mods, where users can just slap on an accessory and "upgrade" the handset in a snap.
To be clear, the Essential Phone has two magnetic pins placed on its rear, and that's where "modular" accessories will be latching on to, so to speak.
The concept is far from vague. Besides being similar to the Moto Mods, Rubin already showcased a 360-degree AR camera accessory for the Essential PH-1, which is available as a $50 add-on.
So how is this different this time, and how can it succeed where others have arguably failed (read: LG G5 and its Friends)?
For one thing, it's an interesting approach that could somewhat level the playing field between PCs and smartphones in terms of modification. That means it's inherently a good idea that opens a lot of possibilities.
Even without going into the guts and innards, the concept can be taken as a way to basically upgrade and add certain features without replacing the device, which is how Essential seems to plan on going with. As mentioned earlier, this appears to be an extended definition of a modular phone in today's time, but it's not really modular unless every component under the hood can be swapped in and out. That's a whole 'nother story, though.
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. That's in contrast with the JBL speaker Moto Mod, which simply improves sound quality, but comparable with the Insta-Share Projector.
However, it's still hard to say for sure whether Essential will be successful in this or not, as not all consumers are probably willing to shell out an extra $50 for a 360-degree camera or $200 if it's bought as a standalone accessory. More importantly, some people might not be ready for modular phones right now.
At any rate, the direction the new hardware unit is going with seems to be promising.
Other Modular Phones
One good indicator of Essential succeeding in modular phones is how Motorola is going strong with the Moto Mods. It's even pushing out one accessory after another, and that's a sign there's a market out there for it — or a stubborn insistence at it, but that's unlikely the case.
On the other side of the fence, the LG G5 didn't even carry over its modularity to its G6 successor, scrapping the whole idea within just one year.
More than that, Google's ill-fated Project Ara was supposed to be the modular smartphone, but as everyone knows, it didn't pan out.
It doesn't end there, either. Fairphone came pretty close to Google's vision for the Project Ara, but it's not making the headlines.
In other words, it's a tough market out there.
Regardless of succeeding or failing, the Essential PH-1 is packed with a Snapdragon 835, dual cameras, 4 GB of RAM, a nearly bezel-less QHD display, and a titanium body, so it's likely going to take the market by storm even if the modular thing doesn't work out.
