CircuitMess Makerphone 2: Affordable Modular DIY Phone with LTE and Camera

CircuitMess might already ring bells for some, and the DIY gadget maker now brings a fresh item to the table. The so-called Makerphone 2 is a DIY mobile phone, yet the producer calls it both a mobile phone and a smartphone. In this case, the line between the two isn’t crystal clear. That’s partly because the concept itself is modular, so the feature set hinges on which modules get used. A handful of modules are included already. There’s an infrared module for operating older televisions, for example. Other add-ons include a camera module, a 2-watt speaker, a LEDs module, a sensor module for reading temperature and humidity, and a perfboard to hook up personal sensors.

Modular design and compatible tech

Indeed, this is not built around a standard Qualcomm or MediaTek SoC, and you can’t run a conventional Android OS on it. The maker states that Makerphone 2.0 can be assembled without any soldering know-how and should be fairly painless to assemble. It ships with 4G LTE cellular support, which also enables ordinary phone calls. The project is planned to run a crowdfunding push in Q2 2026, targeting a launch by the end of June. Folks backing the campaign can lock in a super early bird price of $99 for a symbolic dollar.

What’s in the box and future expectations

Users can expect a platform that prioritizes adaptability over rigid specifications, with the ability to swap in modules to tailor the device to personal needs. The use-case spectrum ranges from educational tinkering to practical everyday use, but the exact performance and supported features will scale with the modular lineup. The absence of a traditional smartphone OS means enthusiasts may experiment with bespoke firmware or lightweight, non-Android software tailored to the hardware.