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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmNrlEtp5M?si=WE8VUt-PtWfnaRta

While tech giants pour billions into developing the next breakthrough device, a 17-year-old student in China has quietly engineered a foldable smartphone from scratch—using a 3D printer, spare parts, and a strong dose of resourcefulness.

A Smartphone Built in a High Schooler’s Room
Lan Bowen, a first-year student at Yiling High School in Yichang, Hubei Province, undertook what would be a remarkable DIY project for any engineer, let alone a teenager.

Armed with a 3D printer bought for 2,000 yuan (about US$275) and parts salvaged from old family phones, Lan designed and built a fully functional foldable smartphone—on his own.

The result is a 16mm-thick device that, while bulkier than today’s sleek commercial models, carries an inventive twist: it folds vertically with the screen on the outside, unlike all commercial foldables that protect the screen on the inside.

A Design Born Out of Market Dissatisfaction
Lan was inspired after noticing that commercial foldable smartphones followed just a few design templates—mostly horizontal folding or inward-folding vertical designs.

“I found various types of such horizontal models and the inward-folded vertical ones were available on the market,” he explained in a video posted on February 16 that has since gone viral, reaching nearly 5 million views. “But no outside-folded vertical ones which leave the screens outside while bent.”

His solution? Design his own. The young student created a custom frame using the 3D printer, and meticulously assembled the components himself, using parts from unused phones in his household and a few ordered online.

He even gave it a nickname: “meal card machine,” referring to its dimensions when folded, which resemble a canteen card—although he admitted it’s much thicker.

Engineering Challenges and Hands-on Perseverance
Building the phone wasn’t smooth sailing. One of the major hurdles involved touchscreen malfunctions when the device was unfolded.

“I found the reason was that the screen was pushed out when it was unfolded,” Lan said in the video. After numerous tests and several damaged screens, he finally resolved the issue.

Despite the setbacks, the device was completed and is fully capable of performing all the basic functions of a regular smartphone, according to Lan.

“My smartphone is at a very primitive stage, with plenty of shortcomings,” he acknowledged. “But the good thing is that it is able to implement all the functions of a normal mobile phone.”

Viral Fame and Industry Recognition
Lan’s inventive spirit and technical skills quickly caught the attention of the online tech community. One user commented: “I see a small version of Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, a domestic leading consumer electronics giant.”

Another viewer admired not only his craftsmanship but also his communication skills: “He not only does handicraft well, but also has a good expression ability and makes videos adeptly.”

The recognition went even further. Vivo, one of China’s top smartphone brands, responded to the video, saying: “It is great! Vivo expects more marvellous work from you,” as cited by the South China Morning Post.

A Lifelong Passion for Making
Lan’s talent didn’t emerge overnight. As a child in primary school, he built military models, a hobby encouraged by his parents—his father is a taxi driver, and his mother works in insurance sales. That early encouragement seems to have laid the foundation for his self-taught technical skills and innovative mindset.

Despite his engineering aptitude, Lan remains modest. He admits he struggles in most academic subjects, except for English and geography. Still, his hands-on passion has only grown stronger over time.

Lan’s story echoes a larger trend: with technologies like 3D printing becoming increasingly accessible, more young minds are stepping into the maker space and redefining who gets to innovate.

Source:
https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/17-year-old-chinese-high-school-student-builds-a-foldable-smartphone-at-home-using-recycled-parts-and-it-actually-works/

Country where things work. In my country they are preaching to his peers that education is haram.

Decidetolive:
Country where things work. In my country they are preaching to his pears that education is haram.

All the tools and components he used are sold down here in Nigeria...... The only thing that you lack is the knowledge.... Stop venting your frustration on the country.

There are kids building electronics and invention things in Nigeria here....

But you are always quick to belittle your country... Yet you want the government to come to your father's house and pick you, then send you to China to learn these skills and then return to get empowered, right?

JASONjnr:
All the tools and components he used are sold down here in Nigeria...... The only thing that you lack is the knowledge.... Stop venting your frustration on the country.

There are kids building electronics and invention things in Nigeria here....

Buy you are always quick to belittle your country... Be you want the government to come to your father's house and pick you, then send you to China to learn these skills and then return to get empowered, right?

I hope you understood what that gentleman up👆 there said.

While ipobidients children are rolling in the mud with piglets

kabillion:
While ipobidients children are rolling in the mud with piglets

Can't you learn something from this innovation without throwing tantrums on people. Pick something from it and let it motivate you.

iampeterben:
Can't you learn something from this innovation without throwing tantrums on people. Pick something from it and let it motivate you.

Who told you that I am not motivated. I have learnt but I have to wake those people to reality.

Decidetolive:
Country where things work. In my country they are preaching to his pears that education is haram.

He built it in his room. Do you live inside mud?

kripen:
I hope you understood what that gentleman up👆 there said.

Is he a Moslem?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Decidetolive:
Country where things work. In my country they are preaching to his pears that education is haram.

They are also preaching that we should pray for 6hrs throughout the night instead of working 6hrs at night...

kabillion:
He built it in his room. Do you live inside mud?

Mumu headslammerr get off my mentions

JASONjnr:
All the tools and components he used are sold down here in Nigeria...... The only thing that you lack is the knowledge.... Stop venting your frustration on the country.

There are kids building electronics and invention things in Nigeria here....

Buy you are always quick to belittle your country... Be you want the government to come to your father's house and pick you, then send you to China to learn these skills and then return to get empowered, right?

I detest Mumu headslammerrs quoting me

Let’s all laugh together..

Good innovation. But he might be slammed with a cease and desist

Our own schools na to tell us to draw and label toad, fish or grasshopper for waec. Mtchew, Dead country.

Meanwhile his age mates from the Yoruba and Hausa fulanis region were busy dragging the Zoo backward like how Awolowo dey busy dey THIEF Igbo properties to take give the Yoruba people free education

Dope

Omo this chinko nor wan gree for anybody o.
Everyday with new innovations

Very commendable

We have people like that here in Nigeria .. it's just that we don't have enough materials at our disposal

Chinaaaahhh?
This country don go far pass any other countries,
As e dey hot,no country near China for science, technology and innovationsz
They keep breaking records daily, monthly and yearly,
Give Dem next 10yrs,even United states citizens go dey beg to be dier citizens
China is 13yrs ahead of the United States even trump and Biden knows it

With all the knowledge of binary,logics and permutations many full fledged engineering /computer graduates are in hot pursuit of white collar jobs even in unrelated fields of endeavour because their minds have been programmed to do so and government is not creating enabling environment.

iampeterben:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmNrlEtp5M?si=WE8VUt-PtWfnaRta



Source:
https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/17-year-old-chinese-high-school-student-builds-a-foldable-smartphone-at-home-using-recycled-parts-and-it-actually-works/

Am not surprised it's coming from china, they are the largest and biggest smartphones makers in the whole world

Decidetolive:
Country where things work. In my country they are preaching to his pears that education is haram.

What have you done to make a difference rather than your online complain ?

Meanwhile our schools are busy teaching children "A noun is a name of a Person, Animal, Place or Thing".

At that age, we're still struggling to gain admission here.

Him mates dey recite quran for Nigeria.

JASONjnr:
All the tools and components he used are sold down here in Nigeria...... The only thing that you lack is the knowledge.... Stop venting your frustration on the country.

There are kids building electronics and invention things in Nigeria here....

But you are always quick to belittle your country... Yet you want the government to come to your father's house and pick you, then send you to China to learn these skills and then return to get empowered, right?

You sound so ignorant. You didn't understand what the young man posted before responding with this comment.

Over here, older men are ass-licking those who have placed them firmly in poverty.

China bad for tech normally