At the yearly Mobile World Congress (MWC) event taking place in Barcelona, Spain, numerous firms within the mobile sector presented an array of devices and ideas. Among the key attractions were Chinese smartphones, 6G technology, and dancing robots. One fascinating gadget was a phone that may evoke a feeling of déjà vu.
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Tecno introduced more than 10 concept devices at the exhibition. Among these was the Atom, a concept phone characterized by a sleek design that distinguishes itself by providing modular components that can be added or removed according to your requirements. These components include a telephoto lens, an action camera, a stackable battery module, and a speaker for enhanced audio. The phone utilizes magnets to link the components together, a system Tecno terms Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology.
If this concept rings a bell, you might recall the LG G5 smartphone from 2016, which included modular components that allowed for hardware customization — although not with magnets. It emerged during a period when Android was exploring its modular phase, with Google’s own Project Ara promising similar degrees of hardware personalization. While the LG G5 was among the more widely available modular phones, sold through carrier outlets and Best Buy, it ultimately proved to be a failure, as LG reverted to a more conventional design the following year.
The modular phone concept is not a recent development. LG unveiled its flagship G5 phone in April 2016, featuring a modular design that allowed users to purchase accessories and attach them for added functionality, such as a 360-degree camera and a wide-angle lens. Intended to rescue the company’s ailing mobile division at that time, the G5 ultimately appeared and disappeared without much excitement, and LG officially closed its mobile division a few years later. According to The Wall Street Journal, the brand “struggled to persuade consumers to invest in extra modules for the G5.” However, LG’s modular device was not as practical as Tecno’s Atom concept since it necessitated powering off the phone just to swap battery modules — unlike the Atom, where you simply connect the battery to the back, and you can even add more than one if desired.
Following disappointing sales results for the G5, LG eventually reduced its focus on modularity. While the Atom evokes memories of LG’s unsuccessful endeavor, it remains uncertain whether Tecno is committed to turning this concept into a tangible device available for purchase. After all, the brand is recognized for displaying various concepts at trade shows that do not always reach widespread market availability, so you might want to temper your expectations regarding a spiritual successor to the LG G5 appearing on retail shelves.