LG's G5 was a modular phone with removable parts — and the modules nobody bought

The LG G5, launched in April 2016, was the world's first modular smartphone. Its removable 'chin' allowed users to swap hardware modules: a camera grip with a physical shutter button, a Hi-Fi DAC for better audio, and others. LG called the ecosystem 'LG Friends.'

But the modular concept failed in practice. The modules were expensive ($40-$70), few third-party developers made them, and swapping the chin required removing the battery — an awkward process that negated the convenience. The phone itself had quality issues, including a gap in the chassis and software bugs.

LG discontinued the modular design with the G6, returning to a conventional unibody. The G5's failure, combined with years of declining phone sales, contributed to LG's decision to exit the smartphone business entirely in 2021. The case illustrated how a gimmick that adds complexity without adding value is not innovation — it is a distraction from the product that customers actually want.