ADHD ONE: 3D-printed 1980s brick phone connects via bluetooth

As smartphones become increasingly difficult to put down, Cologne-based designer and maker Kevin Noki has adopted a distinctive approach to digital detox by recreating a handset straight out of the 1980s. Named ADHD ONE, short for Anti Distraction Handset Device, the project revives oversized brick phones complete with a physical keypad, a compact display, and a chunky silhouette. Rather than packing in more digital features, its explicit purpose is to offer fewer distractions.

The concept relies on a straightforward tethering mechanism. Instead of replacing a smartphone entirely, ADHD ONE connects to an iPhone via Bluetooth, letting users receive and answer calls while keeping the primary device tucked away. By configuring the iPhone's Do Not Disturb settings to allow calls only from selected contacts, users can curate a controlled communication loop. The handset lacks any independent cellular connection, meaning it must rely entirely on the paired smartphone to function and effectively prevents endless social media scrolling.

Despite its deliberately dated aesthetic, ADHD ONE relies entirely on contemporary electronics. At its core sits an FSC-BT1026C Bluetooth module powered by Qualcomm's QCC3024 chip, which utilizes the Hands-Free Profile to route call audio between the handset and the connected iPhone. A Raspberry Pi Pico board manages device functions alongside an OLED display, microphone, speaker, rechargeable lithium battery, and a custom printed circuit board housed inside the compact enclosure.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Kevin Noki designed the outer shell using Autodesk Fusion before fabricating components via 3D printing. The housing draws inspiration from early mobile communication aesthetics, featuring substantial proportions, a prominent antenna, and tactile buttons instead of smooth touchscreen surfaces. The design includes a 19-key keypad and offers customization options such as three speaker grille styles (Classic, Holes, and Stripes) and three antenna configurations (Retro, Slim, and Screw), with an optional housing that omits the antenna entirely.