Did you know that building a DIY cell phone is totally possible? These guys all made one

Making calls and sending texts are far from the only uses for the device, however. Sumasta designed the Phoenard in a way that lets one write applications (called sketches) for the handheld. What's more, it can "talk" to other devices via its expansion port. This lets the Phoenard do all kinds of neat stuff, from making lights blink, to being the brains of a self-balancing robot. 

Hardware-wise, the Phoenard features a 2.6-inch touchscreen display, an Atmel microcontroller, Bluetooth, and GPS. If needed, expansion boards can be paired with the device to add Wi-Fi or MP3-playback capabilities. 

The PiPhone is another DIY cell phone built around hardware well known in the community. Its heart and brains is a Raspberry Pi, which is essentially an inexpensive credit-card sized computer aimed at anyone interested in learning how to code. For this build, the board has been outfitted with a GSM module, a 2.8-inch touchscreen display, and a lithium-polymer rechargeable battery. 

Its creator, David Hunt, says that the PiPhone project is more of a proof-of-concept thing demonstrating what can be achieved with easily obtainable components. Plus, building the gizmo has been a fun experience, he clarifies. The PiPhone is made of $158 worth of parts, in case you're wondering, with the GSM component costing the most – $48. The Raspberry Pi and the touchscreen module cost him $40 and $35 respectively.

Next up we have the DIY Cellphone, designed by David Mellis at MIT. It is one that can be put together by anyone who knows how to use a soldering iron well enough. Priced at about $200, it is being offered as a kit containing all the parts necessary for building the device. The case, however, has to be made separately, preferably using a laser cutter and the provided plans. One of two screen models can be used for the DIY Cellphone – one that's akin to the monochrome side-lit screens on older Nokia phones, or a more basic, yet more robust one displaying characters with its array of red LEDs. 

And then there's the Neo-Victorian cell phone, put together by Johan von Red from Poland. Basically, he ripped out the electronics from an old Sagem handset and put them inside this steampunk-inspired enclosure made of wood and brass. Sure, it is bulky, and texting on it would feel a bit awkward, but hey, you have to admit that the contraption has its own charm.

While this particular unit isn't for sale anymore, a newer and better model is listed on the creator's Etsy page. Its $516 price tag, however, might make you think twice before hitting that "Add To Cart" button.

references: Phoenard (Facebook), David Hunt, High-low Tech, Geekologie