The smartphone market is a fast-paced, ever-evolving landscape, with manufacturers constantly trying to outdo each other with the latest features and innovations. Some of these features are nothing short of genius, while others are… well, not so much. Despite the excitement around new technology, there are quite a few bold phone features that never took off. In this article, we’ll explore some of these unique ideas, from modular accessories to experimental biometric authentication systems, and discuss why they didn’t make the cut.
1. Modular Phones: LG G5 and Motorola Moto Mods
One of the most ambitious ideas in smartphone design came in the form of modular phones, notably seen in the LG G5 and Motorola’s Moto Mods for the Moto Z series. LG’s G5 allowed users to slide off the bottom of the phone to swap in modules like a high-quality camera or a dedicated audio deck. Similarly, Motorola introduced Moto Mods, accessories that could be attached to the back of the phone, including things like a projector, battery packs, and even a speaker module.
On paper, this concept seemed revolutionary. Users could easily upgrade or customize their phones without buying a new device. However, the real issues arose from the high cost of these modules and the lack of cross-compatibility between phone models. Moreover, modular designs forced manufacturers into rigid form factors, which limited the potential for innovation in phone designs. The Moto Z series lasted only a few years, and the modular phone trend quickly faded.
2. LG’s Dual-Screen and T-Shaped Designs
LG was one of the first to experiment with dual-screen technology, but unfortunately, it never gained mainstream appeal. The LG Dual Display case, which allowed users to attach an additional screen to their phone for multitasking, was an interesting take on dual-monitor setups. However, it suffered from app developers’ reluctance to optimize for such a unique design. Even worse, the dual-screen case wasn’t universal, meaning each phone had its own specific case.
In a similar vein, LG also launched the LG Wing, a rotating T-shaped phone. This phone’s main feature was the ability to rotate its screen to reveal a second smaller display. While the idea sounded exciting, it ultimately proved impractical and gimmicky. The LG Wing was discontinued just six months after its release, and it was one of the last phones produced by LG before the company exited the smartphone market in 2021.
3. Blackberry’s Picture Password
Before the era of fingerprint sensors and face recognition, Blackberry introduced a feature that allowed users to unlock their phones using a “picture password.” Essentially, the user would select a picture and then swipe a number to a specific location on the image. This created a dynamic password that was difficult for prying eyes to decipher, even if someone was watching you unlock your phone. It was a clever idea, and its uniqueness made it an interesting option. However, it was eventually phased out, with no other smartphone manufacturers adopting it.
4. Samsung’s Iris Scanner
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was a phone that made headlines for all the wrong reasons, but it did feature one piece of technology that seemed like it could have changed the game: the Iris Scanner. This biometric security feature allowed users to unlock their phone by scanning their irises, much like how facial recognition works today. However, it was prone to issues with accuracy and alignment, and as the demand for thinner bezels grew, the Iris Scanner was phased out with the Galaxy S10 series.
5. The Slider Keyboard: A Nostalgic Throwback
One feature I personally wish made a comeback is the keyboard slider. While most smartphones today rely on touchscreens, there was something incredibly satisfying about sliding out a physical keyboard when you needed to type. The Blackberry Priv, with its combination of a touch screen and a slide-out keyboard, was a great example. Despite its hardware shortcomings, the Priv’s design was highly functional and a joy to use. Sadly, the trend of slider keyboards faded, with the Priv being one of the last major phones to feature this design.
6. Motorized Sliding Cameras
Another short-lived feature was the motorized front-facing camera, which emerged as a way to eliminate notches and holes in the display. Phones like OnePlus and Oppo experimented with cameras that slid out of the top of the device when needed. This allowed for an uninterrupted display, but it came with the downside of added complexity and potential mechanical failure. Today, the trend has shifted to under-display cameras, which, while still in their early stages, seem like a more reliable solution.
7. Health Tracking Features: Samsung’s Heart Rate Sensor
Long before smartwatches were ubiquitous, Samsung was integrating health-tracking sensors into its smartphones. The heart rate monitor introduced with the Galaxy S5 allowed users to check their heart rate by placing their finger on a sensor next to the camera. While it was an interesting and unique feature, the increasing popularity of dedicated fitness trackers and smartwatches led to its eventual removal.
8. USB 3.0 on the Galaxy S5
A truly unique feature from the Samsung Galaxy S5 was its USB 3.0 micro USB port. While the standard micro USB was still in use at the time, Samsung added extra pins to allow for USB 3.0 data transfer speeds. While this was a step forward in terms of data transfer, it was a one-off feature that didn’t catch on, as USB-C quickly became the new standard across the industry.
9. Crypto Phones: A Niche Market
Finally, there’s the world of crypto phones, which catered to a niche audience of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and security-conscious individuals. These phones were marketed as ultra-secure devices with features like encrypted communications and specialized OSes designed to prevent hacking. However, despite their bold claims of “zero vulnerabilities,” these phones were criticized for their inflated price tags and their lack of widespread adoption.
Conclusion: Which Feature Would You Bring Back?
There’s no doubt that phone manufacturers will continue to experiment with unique features in an attempt to stand out in an overcrowded market. Some of these ideas may resurface in the future, while others will remain fondly remembered as innovative attempts that never quite caught on. Of all the features mentioned in this article, I personally wish that modular phones and the keyboard slider would make a comeback. The flexibility and tactile satisfaction they offered were hard to beat, and with today’s technological advancements, they might just have a shot at success.
Which of these unique features would you like to see return? Let us know in the comments!
