What a Snapchat phone could look like

We already know that the makers of Snapchat can reinvent sunglasses. But what about smartphones?

In hypothetical concept designs, marketing firm Mediakix envisions what a Snap Inc. smartphone might look like, if the company that owns Snapchat was working on one.

It might seen outlandish for Snap to make a phone, but not if you read the company's IPO earlier this month. Snap made it clear that it's about more than just an ephemeral messaging app on your phone —it's also about hardware.

SEE ALSO: Snapchat's IPO reveals how much it cost to make a man disappear

Especially as Facebook continues to mimic Snapchat's features, developing new gadgets could be one way for Snap to stay relevant. The company seems to know that. Since last summer, Snap has hired dozens of employees who specialize in developing hardware, particularly cellphones.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Mediakix envisions the Snap phone coming equipped with a 360° camera, as well as volume buttons that could also be used to scroll through Snapchat Lenses. Of course, the home button is replaced with the signature Snapchat ghost.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The phone would also come with its own custom software interface built around Snapchat. The home screen would be dominated by Snapchat notifications, including your friend's latest stories.

Snap wouldn't be the first social network to take a crack at building a phone. In 2013, Facebook partnered with HTC to create the HTC First. The phone was equipped with Facebook Home, a software interface that put Facebook at the heart of the mobile experience. It was a spectacular failure, but that doesn't mean Snap isn't up to the task.

Snapchat is notoriously secret — so it's likely we won't know for a while if it really intends to build its very own phone. Still, imagining what it might look like is pretty fun.