During the celebration of the first technological events of this year, we could see how to virtual reality, a new trend was added that sought to define the future of smartphones in the short term: modular devices. With the separation of the terminals in different parts that could be freely interchanged, at least, in theory, a new path was opened for both manufacturers and users, who would now have the opportunity to fully customize their phablets not only from the point of view of the housings, but also, with other components such as cameras or memories. With these new formats, it was intended to give more prominence to a mass of consumers that in a few years, has become something totally heterogeneous.
The South Korean LG quickly established itself as one of the first companies to experiment with these mounts and decided to launch models like the G5. However, the expectation caused by this model did not translate into a good reception among the public, and this has led the Asian technology company to abandon its removable smartphone projects at least for the moment following in the wake of others such as Google, who also decided to cancel their jobs in this field under the umbrella of Project Ara. What are the causes? One of the factors that have influenced this measure could come from China.
1. Lack of attractiveness
One of the reasons why LG has decided to abandon the creation of modular terminals, at least for now, is the fact that this trend is still something experimental in which very few technology companies have wanted to enter. On Consumer electronics, as in other fields such as the real economy, the stability It is an added value and currently, the riskiest bets of the different companies go through the incorporation of small elements such as dual cameras that are having greater success. Manufacturers prefer to incorporate trends slowly and gradually.
2. High cost
Added to the lack of interest from firms is a component that has a direct impact on consumers. As we have mentioned on other occasions, users are the ones who indirectly end up guaranteeing success or leading to failure to the different terminals. In the case of modular devices, the biggest drawback was on the one hand, in a limited supply of the components and on the other, by its high price, which in the case of the LG phablet ranged between 100 and 300 euros.
3. Lack of functionality
Being something that was still in an early development and implementation phase, there were some major flaws that made the modules even more attractive. In the case of the LG G5, the main drawback reported by users was the fact that to add or remove each component, it was necessary shutdown and restart the terminal completely, which caused significant losses of time for an audience that is used to immediacy in all aspects. On the other hand, the load with the different elements could become tedious.
4. Limited offer
Although from the South Korean company they assured from the introduction of the modules approximately in in February, that in a short time, users would have a greater number of elements to add, the reality was totally different. LG only released a few auricularesa camera and some glasses of virtual reality compatible with the G5. The firm also stated that they would work with other manufacturers to increase the supply of components and strengthen the terminals more strongly. However, as we recall a few lines above, in a complex context marked by uncertainty, the different actors do not want to risk.
5. Once again, China
It seems that the Asian giant is more strongly present in various fields, including technology. As we have recalled on other occasions, in the ranking of the 10 companies with the most implantation worldwide, more than half are already from the country of the Great Wall. Their entry has been so powerful that LG, previously in the top half, is now down a few spots. This has resulted in the sales of the company's terminals have been less than expected.
So now what?
The G5 was intended to be the spearhead of a new generation of smartphones from LG that sought to revolutionize the market. However, with the presentation and sale in the coming days of one of the firm's crown jewels, the V20, technology has taken a step back by launching a phablet in the strict sense of which we previously offered you some of its most outstanding features.
Currently it seems that only Motorola is committed to creating devices whose parts are interchangeable. Do you think that this format could be successful in a few years or yet, do you think that currently, the demands of users are focused on improving other features and that in the short term, we will continue to see the launch of traditional models? You have more related information available, such as the cancellation of Project Ara and their reasons so that you can give your opinion.