Hardware modularity is staging a comeback in 2026, prioritizing data throughput over magnetic convenience. At Mobile World Congress earlier this month, concept phones showcased attachments snapping onto thin chassis, signaling a shift from power accessories to functional extensions.

Finnish maker Jolla is leading this charge, reviving its "The Other Half" concept. Unlike Apple's MagSafe, which limits connections to wireless charging and NFC, Jolla's back covers utilize seven pogo pins and an I3C interface. This setup supports bit rates up to 12 megabits per second, enabling genuine data exchange between the handset and external circuit boards. CEO Sami Pienimaki notes this allows for external sensors, digital-to-analog converters, or low-bandwidth radios.

This evolution addresses previous failures where modular designs compromised performance. Counterpoint's Jeff Fieldhack notes the industry previously bet on cloud-dependent devices, but rising flagship costs and demand for on-device agentic AI made thick, modular hardware less optimal. Engineers needed density for security and latency. Now, the focus is on accessory-level expansion without replacing core compute.

Repairability remains another driver. Fairphone champions modular components for easier fixes, recently introducing swappable back plates. While Fairphone avoids data transfer in its mods, the growing Qi2 standard suggests interoperability could soon unlock advanced camera tools or gaming peripherals. Anker reports the Qi2 accessory market tripled in the past year.

Jolla expects to ship preorders by June. While US availability remains uncertain, the engineering community is already brainstorming. Ideas range from Hi-Fi audio backs to environmental sensors. After years of stagnation, hardware modularity is finally offering engineers the bandwidth to build something useful.

Source: Wired gear