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A defective-screen Samsung Galaxy A90 5G became the heart of a compact DeX desktop in a project by YouTuber GameRig. The build shows how a compatible phone can be repackaged for a monitor, keyboard and mouse—but it is a phone-based desktop setup, not proof that a scrap smartphone can replace a conventional mini PC.
What GameRig built from the damaged phone
Notebookcheck reported on October 1, 2026, that GameRig bought a Galaxy A90 5G with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage for $30 on eBay because its screen was defective. The phone uses a Snapdragon 855. The $30 figure describes that reported purchase, not a typical or current price for a working device. Notebookcheck’s report
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GameRig reportedly stripped the phone down to its motherboard, power board and battery using a heat gun and screwdrivers, then checked that the parts worked. Those components went into a custom 3D-printed enclosure measuring 0.7 liters. The report also lists a phone cooler, USB hub and power button inside the case.
The report does not identify component models, describe the port layout or case material, or provide a complete wiring diagram. It therefore documents the broad idea, but not a parts list or build plan someone can follow exactly.
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- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
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How the phone works as a desktop
The build uses Samsung DeX, Samsung’s desktop interface for connecting compatible Galaxy phones to a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The phone remains the computing device; the enclosure makes its core hardware work in a compact setup with desktop peripherals.
Compatibility is the first hurdle for anyone considering a similar project. This report establishes the DeX route for a Galaxy A90 5G; it does not show that every Android phone supports DeX or can send video to an external display. Check the exact model’s display-output and peripheral support before buying a hub or dismantling a device.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
DeX and a Linux desktop are different routes
A separate community project documents running Linux desktop environments on Android with Termux and Termux-X11. Its README lists XFCE4, LXQt, MATE and KDE Plasma as options, says the script does not require root, and recommends an arm64 phone with at least 3 GB of RAM and 5–10 GB of free storage. It prefers Snapdragon/Adreno for its GPU-acceleration path and warns that other GPUs may be slower. Termux-X11 project README
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What the Minecraft result does—and does not—show
Notebookcheck says the finished device managed over 400 fps while running Minecraft. The report does not give the resolution, game version, measurement method, run duration or temperature. Treat the number as a reported result, not a controlled benchmark or a reliable comparison with PCs.
Without those test details, the figure cannot establish how the build would perform in other games or workloads, or whether it could sustain that result over time. The report also provides no evidence that this setup replaces a conventional mini PC for general desktop use.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What to consider before making a similar enclosure
Confirm the phone and peripherals first
- Verify the exact phone model supports the desktop interface or software route you plan to use, and can connect to an external display.
- Check whether the phone can handle the display and peripherals through the hub you intend to use. GameRig’s report names a USB hub but does not specify its model or standard.
- Decide whether the damaged screen is still needed for setup, troubleshooting or access to phone controls before removing it. The report does not give a procedure for operating or servicing the device after its screen was removed.
Treat battery and cooling as unresolved design issues
Notebookcheck reports that viewers criticized the lack of airflow holes and raised concerns about placing the battery inside the small compartment. The report supplies no battery-condition details, temperature readings, cooling-performance measurements or safeguards. Those concerns are not evidence that the build overheated, but they also do not establish that it is safe or reliable.
For a reproduction, assess the battery’s condition and plan ventilation and thermal monitoring rather than assuming a phone cooler or compact case is sufficient. The published account does not provide engineering data to validate a particular enclosure design or long-term operation.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Match the approach to the workload
For a project like this, the relevant questions are whether the phone supports external video and the desired desktop software, whether its board and battery are in usable condition, how the enclosure will accommodate airflow and peripherals, and what work you expect it to perform. The reported Minecraft frame rate alone does not answer those questions.
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