YouTuber converts cracked smartphone into under $100 mini PC for gaming and emulation

The latest DIY mini PC project from YouTuber ETA Prime is quite interesting, as it converts a broken phone into a very functional computer. Of course, it's not as powerful as some of the inexpensive x86 mini PCs available in the market, but that's not really the point.

Instead, this project is more about how capable smartphone hardware can become if it's paired with the right software. Speaking of which, the broken phone that's part of this project is a Galaxy S20 FE with a non-functional display. It features the Snapdragon 865, a flagship SoC from early 2020, and the modified mini PC is taking advantage of the Samsung DeX feature.

ETA Prime kept the hardware costs low, and the project doesn't involve a lot of parts. The core components are a USB-C to HDMI adapter (Anker 310 adapter curr. $16.99 on Amazon), a Raspberry Pi case, and a modifier cooler. Once everything is hooked up, the modified S20 FE PC is shown to get into a desktop-style environment through DeX. With a software trick, ETA has also managed to get the display output set at 1440p.

For those who are not really much into gaming, this setup can handle standard productivity tasks with ease. As for the others, ETA Prime shows that the Snapdragon 865 with 6 GB of RAM is quite capable of running light games. By using GameNative, a Windows gaming emulator, the YouTuber shows Hollow Knight: Silksong running at a steady 60 FPS.

Retro game emulation is another aspect where this setup shines. ETA Prime has shown a couple of PS2 and Game Boy games running at full speed. Native Android games aren't much of an issue either, but it's worth noting that the hardware can't smoothly run heavyweight titles.

But then again, high performance wasn't the core of this project to begin with. Instead, the angle is cost and accessibility. Many old phones, like the Galaxy S20 FE, end up in the second-hand market with a low asking price due to cracked screens. However, it's worth noting that setups like this aren't a proper desktop replacement. Instead, it can offer a "desktop-like" experience. Check out the video attached below to learn more.