MAKERphone 2.0 - an educational DIY mobile phone
Real 4G Calls & SMS | Build It Yourself | Code in MicroPython & Arduino C++ | AI-Assisted Coding | Add-On Modules | Headphone Jack
If you have ever wanted to understand how the device in your pocket actually works instead of just scrolling on it, CircuitMess has engineered the ultimate STEM project. Launching on Kickstarter, MAKERphone 2.0 is an educational DIY mobile phone that you assemble yourself. By replacing closed-off consumer tech with a fully modular, programmable 4G handset, it transforms users from passive consumers into active creators.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Name and Creator MAKERphone 2.0: an educational DIY mobile phone by Albert Gajšak (CircuitMess).
What It Is MAKERphone 2.0 is a fully functional, modular 4G mobile phone that arrives in pieces. It is designed as an interactive educational kit that teaches you about hardware assembly, coding, and electronics as you build your own communication device from the ground up.
KEY FEATURES
No Soldering Required Unlike the original MAKERphone which required extensive soldering, version 2.0 features a completely plug-and-play assembly process, making it much more accessible for beginners and younger students.
Modular Expansion System The phone is built around a dedicated modular slot that lets you swap out hardware in seconds. Available modules include a Camera, a 2W Boombox speaker, an Infrared controller, a Flashlight, an Environment sensor, and a DIY Perf Board for custom inventions.
Real 4G Capabilities While it is an educational tool, it is also a real phone. Once a nano-SIM is inserted, it supports 4G calls and SMS messages, making it a viable off-grid or starter phone.
Multi-Language Coding Users can program their own apps, games, and custom UI elements. The platform supports block-based coding via VibeBoy, as well as text-based programming in MicroPython and Arduino C++. It even features AI-assisted coding tools.
Upgraded Hardware The new model is powered by an upgraded processor with expanded RAM, all housed in a sleek, nostalgic retro design that exposes the internal circuitry.
REWARDS
Kickstarter Pricing The MAKERphone 2.0 campaign launched in early September 2026. Early backers can secure the base phone kit starting at a special campaign price of $129, offering a solid discount off the planned retail price.
Options Pledges range from the core phone kit to larger bundles that include the complete set of plug-and-play hardware modules, as well as the new Makerband, a programmable smart wristband that syncs with the phone via Bluetooth.
Delivery The campaign is actively running through October 2026, with the CircuitMess team leveraging their extensive manufacturing experience to fulfill orders to backers globally.
CONCEPT
The core concept is Consumer to Creator. The team at CircuitMess believes that technology should be an open playground rather than a sealed black box. By breaking down a complex smartphone into understandable, modular components, they aim to demystify everyday technology and provide a hands-on foundation in STEM education.
INSPIRATION
The project builds directly on the massive success of the original MAKERphone. After delivering hundreds of thousands of educational kits worldwide, creator Albert Gajšak and his team listened to community feedback. They realized that while the original was beloved, the soldering requirement was a barrier for many. They returned to the drawing board to engineer a version that retained the deep educational value and expandability of the original while making the physical assembly entirely modular and frustration-free.
