Puzzlephone rivals Google's modular handset

The battle of modular smartphones has already started even before these innovative electronic devices begin shipping to the market.

Circular Devices, a company from Finland, is developing a smartphone with upgradeable and replaceable parts, much like Google's Project Ara. Called the Puzzlephone, it is a much simpler device compared to Ara, which allows you to change parts piece by piece. With this alternative gadget, replacing things is easier because the handset divides parts into three: the Brain, the Heart and the Spine.

The core electronics, or processor, as well as camera modules are both located in the Brain. The Heart contains the battery and other secondary electronics, while the Spine holds the LCD, speakers and the phone's basic shape.

Although Ara appears to be the more flexible handset, the Puzzlephone promises to last longer than conventional mobile phones. According to the company, it can last for up to 10 years, instead of two or three. Moreover, the Finnish product boasts of a sleek design.

Circular Devices has started working on the Puzzlephone in 2013, months before it was formally founded in Espoo (the same place where Nokia was born), and is now nearing the phase where it can release prototypes to the public. Should the company obtain the necessary funds to complete the project, it will begin shipping the product in the second half of 2015.

According to The Verge, the company will use a "forked version of Google's Android OS" as it aims to set open source standards. However, Circular devices will still try to support other alternatives even as it defines a consistent hardware spec for third-party phone manufacturers.

Consumers can only hope that the company gets the necessary funding to complete the Puzzlephone. After all, it makes the modular phone segment even more exciting, not to mention the fact that a new handset coming from Finland brings a lot of good old memories.