A product enthusiast with a curious mind about how objects work. I enjoy creating simple and functional designs that address problems to make our lives a tad bit better. Creative problem-solving, physical prototyping, and tech are my most favoured areas.
A smartphone assembly, aimed at easy repairability of components and the ability to upgrade essential components in the smartphone.
Smartphones contribute to a substantial increase in electronic waste due to their short lifecycle and high turnover rate. Most smartphones sold are sealed and can only be serviced by a professional. Smartphone manufacturers also model their business such that exchanging a damaged device for a new smartphone is convenient and less expensive rather than fixing the broken device.
The design focuses on integrating modular hardware within the smartphone to help users customise their smartphone to their needs and expand the lifespan of their device.
The smartphone design is created with a detachable construction.
The main modules include the screen, camera, speaker, and battery. The functionality of a smartphone majorly depends on these 4 features, which generally contribute to buying decisions and overall user experience.
The design allows modules to be easily removed, repaired and upgraded onto the smartphone core in case of any part damage or a decision to upgrade a certain feature.
Other internal components can also be accessed and repaired by the user at their convenience.
The major project’s research involved collecting data regarding electronic waste generated by smartphones. This was followed by user trends, components in the device, materials used, ownership experiences, and the future of smartphones.
All the participants in the user tests preferred having access to the internals of their smartphones for easy repair and upgrade of hardware. During the user test, participants were comfortable disassembling the smartphone and were easily able to identify the basic components that they use regularly. 80% of the participants expressed their desire to repair and service their smartphones by themselves if it was made accessible, rather than choosing to go to a service centre. This would assure them of knowing what components need repair in the comfort of their home and reduced costs.
Modularity in smartphones is a viable solution for smartphone longevity. Data collected online and from user testing was able to capture people’s interest in such a product. This makes ownership of smartphones more convenient and mindful. Such a concept can help reduce electronic waste drastically while bettering the ownership experience of individuals.
