Turn your Nokia 'brick' phone into a mini computer running Linux

This Linux-powered computer board fits into Nokia 168x series phones (1680, 1681 and 1682) as a replacement for the original board, allowing users to turn their "brick" Nokia phones into Linux computers.

The Notkia motherboard integrates the Ingenic X1000E MIPS processor with 64MB RAM and 4GB internal memory. The original 2-inch, 128 x 160 pixel resolution screen of the Nokia 168x is replaced by a new screen of the same size but 240 x 320 pixel resolution, the TFT panel is upgraded to IPS LCD.

Notkia, when attached to the Nokia 1680's case, also supports replacing the original VGA resolution camera with a 5 MP sensor. Notkia also integrates the Yamaha YMU762 audio chip, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity and allows connection to external accessories via the USB-C port. The device still uses the BL-5C battery of the Nokia 168x series.

The Ingenic processor chip was chosen by this engineer because it has low power consumption (measured by CoreMark application at 0.3 W), has higher performance than the Boardcom BCM2835 chip on the Raspberry Pi Zero computer, supports Linux installation, has built-in RAM and public specifications on the Internet.

NotMoe shared on Twitter a video of a Nokia 1680 with a Notkia board turned into a computer booting into a Linux command line interface, playing Bad Apple videos and the LVGL music app.

NotMoe still uses the phone's T9 keyboard to enter commands, but requires some additional computer software for the applications to fully function.

NotMoe said he plans to raise funds to mass produce Notkia boards. However, SudoMaker will have to wait until Nokia's patent for the 1680's design expires in June 2023 before he can produce Notkia cases himself.

Marvin Fry

Update 10 December 2024