Is This The Most Customizable Android Smartphone In The Market Right Now?

I am not going to lie. I get bored with my phone easily. Not with the features and functions though; it is more with the look. Maybe I shouldn’t look at my phone so many times in day. But I can’t help it cos’ I am a gadget zombie. That’s probably why I uses a case or skin as a pathetic attempt to change the look. But as it turns out, I don’t have to. There is actually an Android smartphone out there that allows you and I to change the look of the device as and when we feel like it without bumping up the device size like it would when used with a cover. So, I guess its a ‘yay’?

Coming from Japan is NuAns NEO [Reloaded], the answer to folks who demands individuality (and/or get bored with the look way too easily like me). NuAns ditches the pursuit for thinnest. Instead, it focused on making the device functional while allowing the presence of individuality. Think of NuAns’ solution as a smartphone with integrated interchangeable cover like the old Nokia handsets. But, of course, NuAns is more sophisticated. It has a two tone design, allowing the upper and lower back pieces to be swapped out independent to create over 600 unique looks.

The materials are quite stunning too. Armed with the philosophy of connecting you with nature, NuAns’ selection of ‘covers’ are natural, ranging from stone to wood to cork to more “conventional” leather and suede. With the option to change the look whenever you desire, you will never get bored with your phone’s look ever again. However, if you are looking for a slim profile device, NuAns NEO [Reloaded] is not for you. It is thick, coming at a whopping 11.3 mm (0.4-inch) and the specs are understandably yesteryear since this device was officially rolled out in 2016.

Speaking of specifications, it has got a 5.2-inch FHD display made by SHARP, protected tough Asahi Glass Dragontrail Pro with anti-fingerprint coating and under the hood, it is driven by a now passé Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC, backed by 3GB RAM and a modest 32 GB storage capacity which is expandable up to 1TB via microSD card. Strangely, it still uses micro SIM, but it does come with a nano SIM adapter so if you are transitioning from nano back to micro SIM, you are covered.

Other notables include Android 7.1 Nougat OS, 4G LTE radio, a 13 MP rear-facing BSI CMOS camera with autofocus and f2.0 aperture, a 8 MP BSI CMOS front-facing AF camera, IP54 rating for rustproof and drip-proof, NFC, fingerprint sensor, built-in card pocket and strap hole (say yes to that!), a 3,450 mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 3.0, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, dual-band WiFi supporting up to ac, USB Type-C port, plus the usual suit of sensors.

All these for reasonable asking price of 46,111 Japanese money (or around US$406). As for the additional back covers, the price ranges from as low as 980 Yen to as high as 20,800 Yen (US$8.65-185). Whether or not it is worth those bucks, it really depends on how strong is your desire for individuality. My desire for individuality and interchangeability are pretty strong, but one thing in a device that I will never ever accept is thickness. Man, 11.3 mm is way too much in my books. So, sorry NuAns. I love your concept, but just not the thickness.

But…but if you want to send me a review set with some cool covers, I am all for it. I will gladly put aside my Google Pixel and take NuAns NEO [Reloaded] as my daily driver. I promised.

Images: NuAns.

H/T: Unbox Therapy.