Why can't we build our own phones?

Just like we can build PC's and Macs why can't we build our own phones? Make it bigger and badder than the iPhone or the latest Android device, and choose our own OS, maybe iOS, Android, Windows Phone or even Symbian if your into that. Why can't we though, this seems odd to me.

phone ios winphone symbian pc mac build android ourselves

asked Oct 12 '11 at 14:07

DJ Scooby Doo
9.5k●232●279●379

3 Answers:

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It would be good to make them more modular, eg with some of the sandisk mp3 players, you could buy a cheaper 2GB model, then spend $5 or so on a 16GB chip from ebay then take the mp3 player apart then install the new chip (and if you needed even more storage then you could buy a 32GB micro sd card if needed

While a modular design will make the device thicker since the connectors take space, it will allow the devices to not only be easier to repair, but also upgrade.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 15:55

Razor512
15.6k●34●80●242

Cell phone manufacturers would not like that idea. That way you would not buy a new phone every few years just upgrade/repair the one you already have. Which would eat away at their profits.

(Oct 12 '11 at 16:36) Lestat611

Have you ever looked inside a mobile?

They are tiny!

The CPU in a PC can fit in the palm of your hand.

The CPU in a mobile fits on the tip of your finger.

The components are just too small to be fitted by humans.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 15:05

Jackster1337
8.5k●178●213●300

Well maybe we can hire someone like Alienware to custom fit our phones?

(Oct 12 '11 at 18:28) DJ Scooby Doo

Not worth it. They only make money making millions of the same phone with robots.

(Oct 12 '11 at 18:50) Jackster1337

And why would manufacturers offer something easier to repair when they can charge you huge amounts to do it themselves, or sell you a new handset.

Sure the principle is nice, but there would have to be money in it. The money in PC's is in the components and the Software, not the assembly anymore as shown by the recent withdrawal by HP.

Manufacture of mobiles still makes money because it is not something just anyone can do.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 16:32

EnvoyOfTheEnd
1.2k●1●8●21

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Asked: Oct 12 '11 at 14:07

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Last updated: Oct 12 '11 at 22:11

Why can't we build our own phones?

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