The Nokia 5110 hit shelves in April 1998 and quickly became one of the Finnish manufacturer's most popular options, thanks to details like the customizable shell and the Snake game. However, that model was soon replaced by smaller units, and it never received the "Communicator treatment" to turn it into a smartphone. That's exactly what "befinitiv" on his YouTube channel, with the help of a mini Android phone and a good dose of Bluetooth technology.
In the mid-90s, they were one of the greatest expressions in mobile technology. Today, they belong to the collectible category: I'm referring to the Nokia Communicator series, which began in 1996 with the Nokia 9000 Communicator and extended until 2007 with the E90. The early models are undoubtedly the most interesting, as they used x86 processors (both Intel and AMD) and an operating system called PEN/GEOS.
The Nokia 9000 Communicator is an excellent candidate for modifications, but "befinitiv" on YouTube decided to look for a more common and cheaper option (the Nokia 9000 doesn't go below $200 on eBay). That option is the Nokia 5110, with its interchangeable shells, the classic Snake game, and a dinosaur-proof build. What exactly did he do? He created a "new" hybrid: the Nokia 5110 Communicator, based on Android hardware and Bluetooth access.
Nokia 5110 Communicator: A Hidden Keyboard and Android
The project is divided into three parts: the first is an integrated keyboard where the 5110's battery used to be. This keyboard is DIY, with a Bluetooth module and its own battery. The second part is the Android phone hidden inside the 5110. It's a Soyes XS11 Mini, an ultra-compact phone with a 2.5-inch screen that usually appears on AliExpress for less than $50. Finally, we have the 5110's keyboard, which still works! "befinitiv" did reverse engineering on its PCB and turned it into Bluetooth to connect it without problems to the smartphone.
Obviously, the Nokia 5110's shell underwent several modifications, the Soyes XS11 Mini has a cracked screen (a minor detail in this case), and the keyboard could receive a kind of hinge in the future, but that would be the goal of a later revision. One thing is certain: Some users are very bored of the modern smartphone, and we need something more than a rectangle of glass.
befinitiv on YouTube: Click here
