It’s an interesting take when someone says that modern smartphones are boring. It’s a divisive statement, with many people falling on either side of the argument. Sure, it’d be nice if a company came out with something a little more unique, but the reality is that most consumers won’t buy it.
So if you want something truly different, we’re in an era where you have to build it yourself — and that’s exactly what Marcin Plaza did (via Android Authority). The great part about this adventure is that it’s all documented, with the YouTuber sharing the journey of taking a broken Galaxy Z Flip, slapping on a BlackBerry keypad, and also adding an interesting twist to the look.
Something truly unique
Those that love to tinker will surely get a kick out of this project, as it shows all the complexities that come with building something new. Plaza’s idea takes a broken Galaxy Z Flip phone, utilizes the outer screen, and merges it with a BlackBerry keyboard. This idea isn’t simple by any means, and there’s a lot of trial and error.
Luckily, 3D printers are a thing, and there are also companies out there that build custom PCBs, which makes this type of project possible. Now this is oversimplifying the process by quite a bit, so I’d highly recommend watching the entire video on YouTube. But what makes this project interesting is the new hinge mechanism that provides a unique look and is also used to reveal the keyboard.
While it looks quite strange, the sound it makes is quite satisfying, and I can only imagine how good it must feel too. In the end, the project looks just as wild as you’d expect. It has a unique look that I think many people can appreciate. Of course, the design isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but you have to give it to Plaza for doing something different.
