The iPhone's sleek design has always stood out, but Android phones have explored a vast landscape of aesthetics, resulting in some truly unique—and sometimes bizarre—designs. While many were impractical, some were genuinely innovative, and I find myself nostalgic for a time when phone makers weren't afraid to experiment.

My Android journey began in 2010, and I've been reviewing phones since 2012. This extensive experience has exposed me to a wide range of Android devices. Although many unconventional designs fell flat, a few stand out as truly brilliant concepts.

Related ##### My Top 5 Favorite Smartphones from 13 Years of Reviews

A secret among phone reviewers: we have our favorites. Over the past 13 years, I've reviewed countless smartphones, but only a handful remain truly memorable. Here are five that I couldn't put down, even after completing my reviews.

Posts 32 5. LG G Flex

LG, more than any other Android manufacturer, pushed the boundaries of unconventional design. Unfortunately, many of their experiments missed the mark for me. The LG Wing was interesting, but not my style. The LG G5's modularity felt underwhelming, and the LG V20's second screen proved impractical. However, the LG G Flex was almost perfect.

Curved displays were briefly all the rage. LG's "banana-style" curve made it exceptionally comfortable for calls. Vertical scrolling felt incredibly smooth, and I loved the rear-mounted power button. These design elements deserve a resurgence.

4. T-Mobile G2

2010 offered some intriguing Android designs. The T-Mobile G2 (HTC Desire Z internationally) is one of two from that year on this list. I can't fully explain my fondness, but I vividly recall strongly desiring this phone. Its unique "Z-hinge" slid the display up and over to reveal the keyboard.

The mechanism was far from practical; you could pause the slide mid-way, leaving a gap between screen and keyboard. This design led to quality control issues and poor battery life, but it looked undeniably cool.

3. Moto Z

Moto Mods Several companies attempted modular smartphones, but Motorola arguably achieved the most success (besides Apple and MagSafe). This began with the Moto Z in 2016 and continued through the Moto Z4 in 2019.

"Moto Mods" were magnetic accessories that attached to the phone's back. These included a Hasselblad zoom lens, JBL speaker, battery packs, wireless charging, decorative plates, and more.

Related ##### Apple's MagSafe Success: A Lesson in Modular Accessories?

Smartphones are integral to daily life, prompting numerous attempts to enhance their functionality. Project Ara, LG modules, Moto Mods, and the CMF Phone 1 are examples. Yet, only Apple's MagSafe created a truly successful ecosystem. Why?

Posts 1 2. Motorola Flipout

Early smartphones saw some truly wild designs. The Motorola Flipout (2010) stands out. Its small, square 2.8-inch display had a keyboard that pivoted out from behind. While others used flips and slides, Motorola chose a pivot.

This design could be popular today. Motorola's Razr, when closed, is very similar. A small, compact phone expands for a larger screen. Replace the foldable screen with a keyboard, and you have a modern Flipout. It looked cool 15 years ago, and it still does.

1. Galaxy Camera

If there's one Android phone I've consistently longed for, it's an updated Galaxy Camera (2012). The Galaxy S4 Zoom and K Zoom/S5 Zoom followed, but Samsung ended the experiment there.

Modern smartphones boast incredible cameras. My Pixel 9 Pro XL consistently impresses, even with its 5X optical zoom—unheard of in 2012. But smartphone cameras are still limited compared to dedicated digital cameras.

Ideally, I'd prefer a Google-designed version: a digital camera with Pixel image processing and software. Imagine the convenience of a touchscreen and phone software combined with a high-quality camera. Capture a photo with a superior lens, and it's instantly in Google Photos. Bring it back!

Related ##### The 10 Weirdest Android Phones Ever

Modern phones look alike, but it wasn't always this way. Android has produced some of the most innovative, unique, and downright odd phones. These are the weirdest.

Posts 5

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