Motorola stunned us a few months ago when it announced plans to develop a modular smartphone through a collaboration called Project Ara, but we've yet to see even a prototype of the device. Here at CES, ZTE is showing off its own modular phone concept, named the Eco-Mobius. The model on display is locked behind glass, and try as we did representatives would not remove it from its tomb for a close look. But the concept does show how users could replace the camera, battery, display, and "core" modules. The core includes separate modules for the processor, RAM, storage, and graphics processor.
It's an extremely attractive design. All of the components are snapped together inside of a clear plastic case that conveniently exposes how modular the phone is. However, that's all the Eco-Mobius is for now — it's just an impressive design. As a design concept, this is merely a visual look at what ZTE imagines a modular phone could look like in the future. A representative at ZTE's booth was clear that the company was not developing the phone, though engineers may be working towards addressing the numerous difficulties that must be overcome before a phone like this ever becomes a reality.