While giants like Apple and Samsung invest billions in the development of cutting -edge smartphones, a seventeen year old from Central China has created an extraordinary company: building a perfectly functioning folding phone alone. Lan Bowenfirst year student at the Yiling High School in Yichang, in the province of Hubei, used one 3D printer, pieces of old family phones and lots of ingenuity to give life to his device. The project quickly conquered the web, accumulating about 5 million views and even obtaining the applause of an important smartphone manufacturer.
In a six -minute video published on Chinese social networks the February 16, 2025LAN shows the entire assembly process of its device, facing technical problems and testing the innovative design. Unlike existing folding models, its smartphone has the screen outside instead of insideas Lan explains:
I call him Meal Card Machine because, as closed, he has dimensions similar to those of a canteen card, even if it is much more often.
A unique folding phone with an external screen never seen before
As he explored the folding smartphone market, Lan realized that most of the models bend horizontally or vertically with the screen addressed inside. This solution protects the display but limits the design. So he asked himself: Why not create a vertical model with the screen displayed outside?
There are several versions of horizontal folding phones and some vertical models that close inwards, but I have not found anyone bending vertically leaving the screen outside.
To build its smartphone, LAN has used one 3D printer purchased last year for 2,000 yuan (about $ 275)with which he made the personalized frame. The internal components come instead from old family phones and parts purchased online. The result is a device with a thickness of 16 mmmore cumbersome than current standards, but still surprising to be a do-it-yourself project.
However, the path was not difficult. One of the main problems was made the touchscreen work when the phone was open.
I discovered that the problem was due to the screen that moved when it was unfolded. After numerous attempts and several damaged screens, I managed to solve the defect.
Despite the success achieved, Lan is aware that his project is still far from perfection.
My smartphone is at a very primitive stadium and has several defects. But the positive thing is that it still manages to perform all the functions of a normal phone.
Among those who have noticed LAN’s talent there is also Liveone of the main smartphone manufacturers in China. According to the South China Morning Postthe company commented on the boy’s video by writing:
It’s fantastic! Vivo expects other wonderful creations from you.
Despite sudden fame, Lan remains with your feet on the ground. He confesses to have difficulties in many school subjects, with the exception of English and geography, but his passion for practical projects accompanies him since childhood. As a child, he built military modelsa hobby encouraged by his parents: his father is a taxi driver, while his mother works in insurance.
The accessibility of tools such as 3D printing is making more common extraordinary projects such as LAN. Who knows what the next great innovation will emerge from an unexpected place.
