This device thinks it can be the last smartphone you will ever need

The PuzzlePhone, developed by Finnish startup Circular Devices, is among a handful of bold concepts seeking to become a legitimate alternative to the wasteful cycle of cellphone upgrades.

Similar to Google’s widely-publicized Project Ara, the phone is designed to allow for certain parts to be interchangeable. For instance, fresh batteries can easily be swapped in and should the screen break, you can avoid costly repairs by simply buying a new one. But perhaps the biggest draw is that the phone, to some degree, would be future-proof. Since an injection of seed funding in September, the company has been busy assembling a prototype and hopes to release as commercial model by the end of 2015. No suggested retail price has been set, but Circular Devices co-founder Alejandro Santacreu says it wouldn’t be a stretch for the products to eventually reach a price point that’s competitive with other smartphones on the market, should the idea catch on. And even if the device retails for more out-of-pocket than a subsidized smartphone with comparable specs, users should expect to save money over the long term, he says.