The modular smartphone dream feels like ancient history at this point. Google’s ambitious Project Ara never made it to market, and LG’s modular G5 experiment crashed so spectacularly that most manufacturers decided swappable phone components were a dead end. Yet somehow, the idea of customizing your device with interchangeable parts refuses to completely disappear.
Despite the technical nightmares and market failures, designers keep returning to the modular concept because the core appeal remains undeniable. Being able to swap out phone components for different functionality sounds amazing in theory, even if reality keeps proving otherwise. The latest attempt comes from the H-One Pro concept, which takes a more focused and pragmatic approach to modularity.
A Modular Bay Instead of a Modular Phone
Rather than trying to make the entire phone modular like Project Ara attempted, the H-One Pro limits the swappable components to one rectangular block on the back of the device. This bay sits flush next to the dual camera system and acts as the primary customization hub. By narrowing the scope, the H-One Pro sidesteps the complex engineering and fragile reliability issues that plagued earlier attempts.
The phone’s industrial design is deliberately minimalist — a matte metal-like finish, rounded edges, and a symmetrical camera arrangement that blends with the modular bay. The module slot is cleanly integrated, avoiding the “tech demo” look that hurt LG’s G5. Instead, it feels like a natural part of the phone’s design language, with subtle LED indicators suggesting active module status.
The default configuration includes a 100MP H-Optics camera block, a bold move that rivals compact cameras in resolution. For mobile photographers, this module alone could justify the concept’s existence.
But the real strength is in versatility:
- Extra Power: A 2600mAh battery module offers an elegant alternative to bulky power banks. Instead of dangling cables, you simply click in extra juice when you know you’ll be away from chargers.
- Storage Expansion: A 256GB storage module allows quick and tangible file swaps, making it easier to transfer massive amounts of data without tiny SD cards.
- Lifestyle Modules: From a speaker block for better audio, to a mini-display showing the time and calendar, to an E Ink panel for always-on info.
- Personalization Options: Wood, brass, or polished metal covers transform the phone into a fashion accessory without adding bulk.
This is modularity without overreach: instead of trying to rebuild the phone piece by piece, the H-One Pro augments a sealed, modern handset with swappable “enhancements.”
Previous modular phones failed because they asked users to constantly rebuild their device. The H-One Pro feels different because it accepts the reality of today’s smartphone design: thin, sealed, and powerful. The modular bay is an add-on zone, not a compromise to the core device.
via Yanko Design
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