Teenager From China Builds Foldable Phone From Scratch With A RM1,225 3D Printer
Lan Bowen also salvaged old smartphone parts to create his device.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 04 Mar 2025, 04:20 PM
Smartphone innovation is often reserved for billion-dollar tech firms, but one Chinese teenager has taken matters into his own hands — literally
Lan Bowen, a secondary school student from Hubei province, has built a vertical foldable smartphone using a 3D printer he bought for 2,000 yuan (RM1,225).
His creation, partly made of salvaged components from old devices, has captivated many online. He even earned a nod from Vivo, a major phone manufacturer, South China Morning Post reports.
Lan's six-minute video detailing his process has racked up 4.7 million views and 400,000 likes since its release on 16 February.
Unlike mainstream foldable phones that either bend horizontally or fold inward, Lan’s design folds outward, with the screen remaining visible even when compact
Dubbed the "meal card machine" due to its compact dimensions when folded, the DIY device is 16mm thick and features a 3D-printed frame.
Most of the internal components were repurposed from his family’s old phones, with only a few parts sourced online.
However, the project wasn't without its challenges. The biggest hurdle? Ensuring the touchscreen remained functional when unfolded
After multiple design tweaks and a few broken screens, Lan managed to resolve the issue.
The end result is a fully operational smartphone, albeit with some imperfections.
Although Lan admits that he struggles with most subjects except English and geography, his technical prowess has sparked admiration, with social media users likening him to Xiaomi's founder, Lei Jun.
