The Flipper Zero Alternative That Looks Exactly Like a Normal Smartphone

The scrutiny may not be entirely warranted, but carrying a Flipper Zero could get you some unwanted attention as you make your way through airport security. Nobody wants to be hassled for traveling with their gear, so John Breeze designed a Flipper Zero alternative that won’t cause anyone to bat an eye. Called the 4G Hacker Phone, the device packs most of the Flipper Zero’s capabilities into something that looks like a standard smartphone.

While many hacker-focused handhelds proudly advertise their capabilities with exposed antennas, bright colors, and unusual form factors, Breeze went in the opposite direction. The 4G Hacker Phone is designed to blend in. In fact, its dimensions match those of the original iPhone 2G, allowing it to slip into a pocket and pass as an ordinary mobile device.

Despite its familiar appearance, the hardware is anything but ordinary. The phone combines a broad collection of wireless technologies into a chassis that is only 15 mm thick. It includes LoRa for long-range communication, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Sub-GHz radio support, GPS positioning, and LTE-M cellular networking.

The device also includes a capacitive touchscreen, a microSD card slot for storage expansion, USB-C connectivity, and a feature that has become increasingly rare on modern smartphones: a 3.5 mm headphone jack. A built-in IMU and battery fuel gauge round out the internal hardware, while a 3,000 mAh battery is intended to provide enough runtime that users are not constantly worrying about finding the nearest charger.

Notably absent from the design are RFID and NFC support. According to Breeze, adding those features would have required a more expensive dual-sided PCB and introduced additional design challenges related to the antenna coils. For many users, however, the remaining feature set will likely cover the majority of the use cases typically associated with devices like the Flipper Zero.

The hardware is built around a single-sided, four-layer PCB that keeps assembly costs down and simplifies construction. Most of the major radio modules, with the exception of GPS, can be hand-soldered, allowing builders with little more than a soldering iron, flux, and patience to assemble a functional unit. Builders using a reflow plate can populate the full design, including the IMU, fuel gauge, and audio circuitry.

The 4G Hacker Phone can be built for roughly $100 without PCBA services, or around $150 with assembly included. Full details can be found over at PCBWay.