LG G5 modular "Magic Slot" might have camera, audio addons

We've pretty much heard or even seen all that we could about the LG G5, but its most interesting feature might be something unrevealed by those images. There has already been talk about the smartphone's somewhat modular design, but that has mostly revolved around a removable battery. A new leaked photo, however, hints that it could be even more, with room for additional accessories like more powerful camera controls or even a DAC module for hi-res audio. All these at the expense of adding bulk to the phone's bottom.

The idea of a modular smartphone, exemplified by Project Ara, has long been in the making but has yet to become reality, let alone commercial reality. There are a few attempts already, but LG's implementation, if true, will perhaps be the most daring. Forgetting the part about replaceable components for a while, the LG G5's rumored "Magic Slot" might be employed to add functionality that otherwise can't fit inside a slim smartphone body.

It's hard, or perhaps too easy, to jump to conclusions based on a single leaked blurry photo, but a few reasonable theories can be drawn up. First, we have to establish that this is indeed the LG G5, which would seem to match previous leaked images of the same smartphone. That practically means a dual camera setup and fingerprint scanner on the back, and without LG's iconic rear side buttons.

New to this photo is the bulging bottom. Given it has never been seen before, we can only assume that it can be added and removed at will, which matches what has been speculated about the removable bottom edge of the G5. That same edge which allows the battery to be replaced will apparently also allow modules to be added.

The question now is what that module seen in this photo is. Android Authority posits that it could be a camera module that taps into the dual cameras of the LG G5, with the dial for zoom and a button for the shutter. Another theory, and one that might actually be more plausible technically, is a DAC module, with the dial for volume and a 3.5 mm audio port for output. Again, blurry photos do not help in speculation. But we're just a few days away from LG finally revealing the LG G5, so we won't have to wait that long.