Modularity has its limits (and that's okay)

In 2012, Google’s Project Ara aimed to create a smartphone with removable component blocks for infinite upgrades, but development stalled by 2016 due to the impracticality of housing, connectors, and software protocols for each module. The project’s failure underscored the challenges of making a phone infinitely upgradeable while maintaining sleek design, affordability, and smooth functionality.

Fairphone embraces modularity but prioritizes real-world viability, as demonstrated by the Fairbuds XL’s 2025 upgradeable speaker drivers, which remain compatible with the 2023 edition. Smartphones, however, present greater hurdles due to tightly packed components, software integration, and the risk of inflated costs or bottlenecks when attempting to make every part perpetually upgradeable.

The Fairphone 3+ introduced upgradeable camera modules for existing Fairphone 3 owners, a rare achievement despite technological challenges. For Fairphone 4 users, the company instead opted for over-the-air updates to match the Fairphone 5’s camera performance, offering a more practical path to improved functionality without hardware complexity.

Fairphone advocates for practical modularity that extends device lifespan to six to eight years, avoiding the two-year average industry standard. The company argues that freezing technology in place risks missing future innovations, emphasizing robust, repairable designs that empower users while reducing e-waste and total cost of ownership.