Customized phone ... why not?

[future blackhawk pilot]

This may be a stupid idea, and it's probably already been discussed at some time, but I was wondering why cell phones couldn't be customized like a laptop. When I bought my last Dell, I was able to pick and choose some things that I wanted, but also keep the laptop within my budget.

Obviously there would still have to be categories because of the different form factors, but let's just use a newer phone like the C6-01 for example. Why not allow the customer to choose from options like GPS, Wifi, processor, camera size, memory card size, other accessories included in the package, and software.

I know cell phones are way different than laptops, but could this kind of customization be possible. Typically power users want it all, but there seems to be a good number of people who just want a few of the features that are becoming standard today.

What do you think?

 

[texasaggie21]

To some degree it is possible with some Chinese companies. However, you forget the real "end customer" of the cell phone makers is not the individual but the carriers. Most major manufacturers offer the same phone with or without certain features. It is a lot more complicated to fit a lot of customization in that little handset space. Many more things need to be optimized for heat, antenna RF, battery life. And the individual device must get approved by the FCC so each "modification" you are mentioning would have to be separately tested and approved. If you want carrier subsidies you also need to get the device approved on the network you are using. In short, it's too expensive to try and sell a "build-your-own" phone like Dell does for it's PCs.