Building a dumb phone from scratch
I've been building a mobile phone in my basement for a couple of months. It's using a Raspberry Pi with Linux: Not a launcher, non-Android, fully ground up. Currently, I am targeting 3 functions: Phone calls, SMS and Spotify music. I was able to get SMS working and Spotify running using librespot. This is only a prototype board. Next version will include a T9 keyboard, and smaller components that hopefully will fit in a 60x100mm case.
Why am I building this? Like others on this sub, I've struggled with screen time. I tried blockers on my iPhone, and also tried a flip phone for a couple of months. I always ended up finding a way to disable the blockers, and the flip phone was nice, but it was missing some essential functions I use, such as music streaming. I am trying to build a device in between: a phone that is not distracting or addictive, but can still do some useful functions that 2010-era flip phones are missing.
For now, I am calling the project Sparrow. Landing page with a waitlist: https://sparrowedition.com If this resonates, I am aiming for a batch of 20 in fall 2026.
I'm reaching out on this sub for feedback:
- Would you be interested in a non-Android dumbphone that focuses on SMS + Calls + Spotify Music?
- If not, what are the other functionalities you think would be essential, and are missing in current available solutions (Light Phone, SidePhone, Clicks Communicator, etc)
- General feedback and thoughts