Sep 17, 2025 21:00:00

A DIY video goes viral, showing a broken flip-top smartphone being modified to include a Blackberry keyboard and a sliding mechanism

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series smartphones are designed to fold vertically like a feature phone. Hardware DIY YouTuber

Marcin Plaza has shared a video of his DIY project, modifying the Galaxy Z Flip to include a sliding mechanism instead of a folding one, and even adding a Blackberry keyboard.

A Modified zFlip 5 - Share Project - PCBWay
https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/A_Modified_zFlip_5_969c2c62.html

I built my own smartphone...because innovation is sad - YouTube


Plaza picked up a broken Galaxy Z Flip 5 cheaply on the second-hand market.

The sub-display on the back is fine, but the main display inside is broken.

By default, the Galaxy Z Flip5 can only display a clock and calendar on the secondary display, but if you install the Samsung app '

Good Lock ,' you'll be able to use various Android apps on the secondary display. So, first we'll connect it to an external monitor and try installing Good Lock.

The installation was successful and various applications could be executed.

For this modification, instead of a traditional hinged case, we'll use Plaza's custom-designed case, so we'll first disassemble the device using a spatula and suction cups.

Disassembly complete.

By excluding non-essential components such as the vibrator, we derive the minimum configuration that will allow the device to function as a smartphone.

Next, design the case.

Output using a 3D printer.

Print multiple times while fine-tuning the design.

I arrived at the ideal design. The keyboard is reused from the BlackBerry Q10. At this point, only the case is completed, and the inside is still unfinished.

To use the keyboard, you need a board that allows Android to recognize it.

The circuit board is also a unique design by Plaza.

I sent the design data to a supplier and they made the circuit board. I also sent the case design data and got a metal case.

Next, various parts were mounted on the board. Attaching the USB port was particularly difficult.

Assemble the circuit board and components into the case.

The modified Galaxy Z Flip5 is now complete.

The upper and lower parts are connected by a wide cable.

The physical keyboard can be removed by simply sliding it out.

When you unfold the keyboard it looks like this.

The two separate halves of the case have built-in magnets, which makes unfolding and folding the keyboard a high-quality experience. You can see the keyboard unfolding and folding with a click from

around 33 minutes and 44 seconds into the video.

I built my own smartphone...because innovation is sad - YouTube


You can type using a physical keyboard instead of a software keyboard.

You can see the modified Galaxy Z Flip 5 typing and playing games from around 32 minutes and 18 seconds into the video.

I built my own smartphone...because innovation is sad - YouTube