MIT Unveils DIY Cell Phone Kit for Tech Enthusiasts

The clunky but 'geektastic' prototype offers a hands-on electronics learning experience.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 9:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of the internal components and circuitry of a DIY cell phone, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the various electronic elements, conceptually representing the technical complexity behind even the most basic mobile devices.A conceptual illustration of the intricate inner workings of a homemade cell phone, highlighting the technical complexity behind even the most basic mobile devices.Cambridge Today

The MIT Media Lab recently debuted a prototype of a DIY cell phone kit that allows users to build their own basic mobile device. While the resulting phone is far from a practical smartphone, it offers a unique opportunity for tech enthusiasts and students to get hands-on experience with electronics and the inner workings of cell phones.

Why it matters

Projects like this DIY cell phone kit aim to demystify electronics and make them more accessible, which could encourage people to repair their own gadgets instead of automatically replacing them when they break. The kit also sparks interest in engineering and electronics among the general public, not just trained professionals.

The details

The DIY cell phone kit features a delightfully low-tech laser-cut plywood case and an old-school blue and white command line-style interface. It can make and receive calls, but lacks any mobile web capabilities. The kit is currently priced between $100 and $150, making it not significantly cheaper than commercially available phones. However, the project is part of MIT's 'High-Low Tech' research group, which aims to make electronics more approachable through creative DIY projects.

  • The DIY cell phone prototype was debuted at a recent open house at the MIT Media Lab.

The players

David Mellis

An engineering PhD student at MIT who demonstrated the DIY cell phone prototype to Engadget.

MIT Media Lab

The research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that developed the DIY cell phone kit prototype.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While it's not a practical option for a quality cell phone, it could be an interesting science project for students learning about electronic devices when the kit comes out on the market. Getting comfortable with electronics, including something as ubiquitous as cell phones, is important in getting people to repair their own gadgets when they break, rather than replacing them. And projects like this are just such a way to make electronics less intimidating.”

— Jaymi Heimbuch, Technology Editor

What’s next

The MIT team is working to overcome legal hurdles with the FCC to potentially make the DIY cell phone kit commercially available in the future.

The takeaway

This DIY cell phone project represents an innovative approach to demystifying electronics and encouraging hands-on learning, which could inspire more people to explore engineering and repair their own devices rather than automatically replacing them.