Older projects

Project Ara - Cancelled 2016
Googles project showed a lot of promise with easily replaceable/upgradable parts but it never came to fruition.

Puzzle Phone

A simple 3 piece design offering the potential of a future proof phone. Not sure if this ever made it to production, all I can find is a few blog posts and a cancelled indiegogo project from around 2016. 

XPX Life 7

Another from the 2015/2016 era which may or may not have made it into customers hands. It looks the business, but I also read... 'The different parts are not enclosed in a plastic case so the assembly of the various components is not particularly simple, it requires appropriate skills and qualified personnel, authorized by XPX'.

ASUS Padfone

A few models were released in the early 2010's but have since been discontinued. Not repairable or upgradable like the devices above, but allows yours phone to double as a tablet, with some models having a detachable keyboard for a PC like experience.

LG G5

This device had a 'magic slot' design which allowed easy removal and replacement of the battery. The battery could be replaced with other modules including a camera grip, giving the the feel and functionality of a traditional camera. A 360 camera was also available as well as a module for improving audio output. The phone was very easy to get into and the standard cameras could be replaced with ease.

Modular/repairable phones 2024

Nokia G22 & G42

The G22 was HMD/Nokia's first phone to be marketed as repairable, followed by the higher spec G42. Screen, battery and charging port can all be replaced with parts available on ifixit.com.

HMD Pulse, Skyline & Fusion

A great set of budget friendly phones with excellent repairability...

Pulse, Pulse+ and Pulse Pro: Like the G22/G42 screens, batteries and charging ports are available through ifixit. All have 'Gen 1' repairability -  it's not clear what defines  Gen 1 or Gen 2 repairability, I believe it is equivalent to the difference between an 8 and a 9 on the ifxit rating scale.

Skyline: (Gen 2 repairability) A higher spec device, again with batteries and charging ports are available through ifixit and also the loud speaker. It also features a custom button, which can be programmed to quickly call your emergency contacts, or open apps (not sure what the full range of options are).

HMD Fusion: (Gen 2 repairability) batteries and charging ports are available through ifixit. The most interesting thing about the fusion is the availability of smart outfits, you can change the colour with the casual outfits, or add functionality via pogo pins...
Rugged outfit: Protection and IP68 water and dust resistance to your HMD Fusion. It also adds new features like 5W wireless charging support, push-to-talk compatibility, and an in-case-of-emergency (ICE) button.
Wireless charging outfit: Three colours and 5W wireless charging
Fusion Flashy Outfit: A camera ring light in two colours
Barcode reader: Available for the business edition
Game controller: Coming soon

HMD are also encouraging DIYers/tinkerers to get involved be creating their own outfits using the Development Toolkit - it will be interesting to what people come up with.

Fairphone 4 & 5

Probably the best know name in the modular smartphone space, with both the the Fairphone 4 & 5 receiving the highest (10/10) repairability scores on ifixit - but not as affordable as HMD/Nokias phones. The usual spare parts (battery, screen and charging ports) are available on ifixit, along with cameras, speaker ear pieces and covers. Spare parts are also available on the older 3/3+ models.

SHIFTphone 8 & SHIFT6mq

A less well known brand from Germany, the SHIFT6mq has a fully modular design with more than 13 easily exchangeable modules. The SHIFTphone 8 is due to be released in 2025.

Moto Mods

Moto Z, Moto Z Force Droid, Moto Z Play, Moto Z2 Play, Moto Z2 Force Edition, Moto Z3 Play and Moto Z4 all supported modules which attach to the back of the phone via pogo pins similar to the HMD Fusion above. The phones are now quite old with latest model, the Z4, being released in 2019 so the phones and mods are likely only available second hand/refurbished (but much cheaper than they used to be).

Mods that were available included battery packs, speakers by JBL, a 360 camera, a Hasselblad camera, a polaroid printer, game pad and 5g capability. Independent developers were also able to to design and build there own mods.