# DIY Touchscreen Phones The Homemade Rasperry Pi 'PiPhone' Can Be Made for Under $160 By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-05-01 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/piphone References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/homemade-raspberry-pi-smartphone-uses-shelf-kit.html) & [github](https://github.com/climberhunt/PiPhone) If you find yourself feeling sick of big name phone brands and particularly crafty one day, you could try making your very own PiPhone, which can be assembled for about $158 from off-the-shelf products. The amazing DIY phone project comes from Dave [Hunt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feedboard), who put the small single board computer known as [Raspberry Pi](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creoqode) to work as the base for this phone. The phone is a little on the chunky side, but still, it's pretty impressive for a homemade smartphone, especially considering that it's got a fully functional touchscreen display. If you're interested in crafting a PiPhone of your very own, Hunt has generously made the list of instructions, parts needed and code all available online for others who want to give this project a go. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **DIY Smartphones:** Creating smartphones using off-the-shelf products and single board computers like the Raspberry Pi provides an opportunity for makers and hobbyists to customize and tailor their own devices. - **Single-board Computer Revolution:** The use of single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi in various tech projects, including DIY smartphones, opens up new possibilities for innovation and customization. - **Low-cost Technology:** The development of low-cost DIY smartphones can potentially disrupt the smartphone industry by offering an affordable alternative to traditional devices. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Consumer Electronics:** The development of DIY smartphones using single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi can provide innovative alternatives to traditional consumer electronics brands. - **Technology Hardware:** The use of off-the-shelf products and single-board computers in DIY smartphone projects presents a potential for innovation in the technology hardware industry. - **Education:** The use of single-board computers in tech projects, such as DIY smartphones, can be utilized as an educational tool to teach students about computer hardware and programming. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Open-Source Handheld PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creoqode.md) - [Retro Handheld Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pilet-5.md) - [Open-Source Flagship Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/opensource-flagship-smartphone.md) - [DIY Arcade Game Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thunderstick-grs-buildacade.md) - [Folding Handheld PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/penkesu.md) - [Retro Software DIY Handhelds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-windows-98.md) - [Modular Phone Breadboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/commi-board.md) - [Fully Open-Source Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-librephone.md) - [Ultra-Affordable Android Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hmd-key.md)