Hello all!
Due to the recent statements by Google (as well as their track record the last few years) I’ve decided I do not want to use Android as a phone operating system anymore. But Apple is just as bad, if not worse. So I’ve decided to build my own custom device.
I am working on building a phone using a single board computer, right now I’m using the raspberry pi 5. This is still a proof of concept, but I want to share my ideas with others, so like minded individuals can start messing around with this idea in their own homes to further this goal.
You can view more images of the device here, as well as the step by step instructions here (these are still very rough and incomplete) https://github.com/muhammadmanwar/cheaphone OR https://codeberg.org/muhammadmanwar/cheaphone
Right now it just runs raspberry pi OS, with a different desktop look and feel. Everything that normally works in a pi 5 works on this device, additionally I am experimenting with a Mobile Broadband modem, to allow the device to text and call, as well as access internet, like a normal phone off wifi
The total cost is around 200 dollars, not including the 3d printer to make the custom case.
This project is barely off the ground, and I’ve got a lot to learn before I can stop relying strictly on the raspberry pi 5, my end goal is to custom design SBCs, and release those designs for free alongside the plans for the device, so that interested parties can select their own System on a Chip to use for the device. I need to get into designing boards, I’m interested in trying Stephen Hawes’ Lumen PnP (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlkTcxh-9gA) for that phase.
But that’s for the future, for now, I’m hoping to get more people interested in the prototype so that I’m not the only one noodling around on this idea. I’d love some feedback, and if anyone was willing to put one together for testing, I would appreciate it greatly!
can’t see from the pic (more of them appreciated), but it looks like you can desolder the ports to save on space.
I’m not sure how to add more images to the post, sorry. But I uploaded images to a repo, in the pictures directory https://github.com/muhammadmanwar/cheaphone OR https://codeberg.org/muhammadmanwar/cheaphone
i love this kind of thing. yeah you can definitely desolder the ports and try to squeeze it closer to the screen, you can rewire them with smaller connectors if you need to. round the printed chassis down and you got something much more ergonomic.
others mentioned you can run postmarketos, but i’m sure you can also get android running too. with the low resolution it is at least running smooooth.
also aliexpress is your friend. a lot of stuff is already designed and made and can be a stepping stone into making it work better as an actual phone, and as “inspiration” if you really want to eventually design the circuits involved into a single board. things like the charging and control circuit for that battery, for starters. or better screens/batteries.
i wish you best of luck!