LG recently assured customers it would stick with the modular design it introduced on this year’s LG G5 smartphone, but that might have changed.
According to a report from Korea’s ETNews, the smartphone maker is considering dropping the ‘Friends’ modules on its next flagship.
Sources told the site: “It is heard that LG Electronics has decided not to modularize its next Smartphone. Corresponding products such as boards and audio chips are currently being prepared accordingly.”
Related: LG G6 – All we know
The G5 arrived this year with a new design that allowed users to attach different modules, or ‘Friends’ to the base of the phone, adding extra functionality.
These modules included an audio DAC and a camera enhancement, the LG Cam Plus, which features physical buttons for use with the G5’s camera.
And while the new design certainly offered something different to 2016’s other smartphones, the modular setup failed to become the big hit LG was hoping for.
Which certainly makes ETNews’ report seem legitimate, although none of its information has been confirmed at this point.
Google just shelved its Project Ara smartphone – a modular device that would have allowed for similar functionality to the G5, and we wouldn’t be surprised if LG followed suit.
Even so, the report states that “LG Electronics is internally worried from withdrawing its modularization strategy”, as changing its strategy within a year could lead to loss of trust from consumers.
Just what LG has in-store for the G6 remains unclear at this point, but we’ll update you with the latest as soon as it’s available.
WATCH: LG G5 review
Let us know if you’d like to see the end of the modular design in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.