6 of the most 'craziest' Android improvements in history

These failed efforts also leave valuable lessons and enable tech companies to create better, faster and more user-friendly products.

It's easy to forget that the technology we enjoy today is the product of years of innovation. While some ideas stand the test of time, most of them end up in the trash due to scarcity of resources, insufficient expertise, lack of understanding of consumer needs, or simply management. poor reason.

Whatever the reason, these failed efforts leave valuable lessons and enable tech companies to create better, faster and more user-friendly products. Let's take a look at some of the worst Android innovations of the past decade.

1. Surrounding screen

One of the weirdest smartphone designs of all time is the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha. This device was announced as a concept phone in 2019 - a time when OEMs are increasingly pushing to include curved screen edges in their products.

The wraparound display on the Mi Mix Alpha is like a fast-forward version of that trend. Instead of being limited to the front, the display continues to extend to the back of the phone, giving you a near-full screen experience.

Although this smartphone has a very futuristic look, it is not really practical. For example, having a screen on the back is pointless since you'll only be looking at one side of the phone at a time. And if you drop your phone, it can instantly crack the entire screen due to the soft glass. Plus, more screen means more battery consumption. And don't forget that repairing such a device can also be a nightmare.

2. Modular Design

The idea behind modular phones is amazing. Instead of buying a new device, a modular phone allows you to replace damaged or less useful components with new ones. Theoretically, you could build your dream phone this way, while also creating less e-waste in the process. Great is not it? Google's Project Ara is trying to achieve a similar vision.

The biggest reason why this seemingly revolutionary idea failed was simply that there was no need for it. Most smartphone owners are not tech enthusiasts; they simply want something that works reliably and don't want to have to choose modules themselves.

Plus, a company that sells a modular phone will essentially influence its own future sales, since people won't need to upgrade to a new phone because they can. with the replacement modules they already have. The closest we have to a modular phone these days is the Fairphone line that's built to be as repairable as possible.

3. Flip camera

The punch-hole selfie camera is the norm these days, but a few years ago tech companies came up with all sorts of crazy ideas to remove distractions from screens.

We've seen brands like OnePlus, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Asus launch phones with flip cameras like a pop-up selfie camera or a flip main camera. All of these efforts are commendable, but unlikely to go mainstream.

Contrary to initial skepticism, durability is not an issue with this camera, but space. There is only a limited amount of space in the phone body that OEMs must utilize in the best possible way. The flip camera takes up a lot of space inside the device.

And it's a sacrifice that tech companies soon realize isn't worth it.

4. Curved screen

One of the most distinctive smartphone designs ever introduced is the curved display. You may remember the LG G Flex and the Samsung Galaxy Round. The LG G Flex is curved horizontally for a better viewing experience, and the Samsung Galaxy Round is curved vertically to help it rest more firmly in your hand.

Curved-screen phones have an element of novelty, but they're simply not economical. They cost a lot to build, are difficult to repair, and are also more susceptible to damage if dropped accidentally. In addition, due to their special size, they take up more space, which means they are more expensive to transport. All these problems combined have caused this improvement to be 'dead'.

5. Built-in projector

One futuristic-sounding smartphone innovation is the built-in projector. We saw Samsung try to do the same with its Galaxy Beam phone back in 2012. The idea was that the phone would enable the creation of a "unique shared experience of digital content for everyone - anywhere and instantly".

Sadly, the only time people complimented the Galaxy Beam was when it first appeared. As soon as you see the device in action, it is clear that it is like a projector that doubles as a phone.

The projector will only project low-resolution content, and this phone also has outdated specs and terrible battery life. It's also super expensive, very cumbersome, and frankly not as necessary as Samsung imagined it to be.

6. Full control of the gaming experience

Another sad flop was the gaming-focused Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, commonly known as the PlayStation phone.

At first glance, it was everything a gamer from 2011 wanted on his phone: Good processor, large screen (at the time) and a slide-out panel. from your phone just like the PSP Go.

The device was supposed to be able to support a wide range of PSP games, but it actually only ran a handful of such titles, most of which were of no interest to fans. Also, since most Android games aren't optimized for console-like controls on the Xperia Play, you can't even download the game from the Play Store expecting it to work just fine.

Furthermore, the touch circles on the Xperia Play are not as responsive as the joystick on the PSP Go. So, usually, the regular touch controls will work better than this one, making it pointless to buy such a phone. Simply put, while the device has good hardware, it hasn't lived up to its promise of being a great handheld gaming phone.

You can still buy Android gaming phones, they just don't have a built-in controller anymore.

Getting an innovation to be accepted by the general public requires a lot of effort, research and capital. The smartphone industry is one of the most competitive today, and marking and maintaining territory within it is no easy task. For an idea to be successful in this field, it must not only make sense technologically but also economically and socially.

In fact, some brands launch phones with novel designs not because they want them to become mainstream, but simply to stay ahead of competitors and appear like a more innovative brand in the public eye. But sadly, some brands also lose billions of dollars in the process.