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Explore how a broken Samsung Galaxy phone transforms into a budget-friendly mini PC running Steam and classic console games.
Turning Broken Tech Into a Mini Powerhouse
In today’s world, RAM prices can make you wince, but old broken phones on sites like eBay? They’re surprisingly affordable. ETA PRIME proved this with an ingenious build: snagging a broken Samsung Galaxy S20 FE for under $70 and turning it into a mini PC that boots into Samsung DeX, capable of running Steam games and classic console emulators. It sounds almost too good to be true, but this setup genuinely works.
The Snapdragon 865 chip inside this humble Galaxy device punches way above its weight. Connecting straight to Steam libraries, running PS2 and GameCube emulators, and even handling Minecraft with ease — all while paired with an Xbox controller via Bluetooth within minutes — this build is a testament to smart, budget-conscious tech hacking. And all for less than what many spend on a single night of online impulse shopping!
What’s Inside This Clever Build?
For about $70, you can find a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE with a cracked screen on eBay. Pair it with a simple aluminum Raspberry Pi tower case from Amazon, a USB-C to HDMI adapter, and a small fan cooler (costing $10-$15 total), and you have all the hardware you need. ETA PRIME took it a step further by disassembling the phone and fitting its internals neatly into the case, but that’s optional. You can simply prop the phone on a stand and connect it to a dock, achieving the exact same Samsung DeX experience without breaking out a screwdriver.
Interestingly, even cracked screens stay functional, serving as a secondary interface if you want it. For models with minor screen burn-in but intact displays, prices hover around $99 for an unlocked, fully updated phone with security patches as fresh as October 2025.
Maximizing Samsung DeX for Desktop Use
Right out of the box, the Galaxy S20 FE pumps DeX to 1080p on any external monitor. But with a little tweaking, the experience sharpens considerably. Installing the Good Lock app from the Galaxy Store and adding the MultiStar plugin unlocks higher resolution options: think 1440p, 1200p in 16:10 aspect ratio, and a cinematic 21:9 widescreen mode at 2560Ă—1080.
The desktop interface is impressively versatile. You can resize and snap windows side-by-side, running up to five apps simultaneously—and even more if you unlock that feature with MultiStar. Granted, with 6GB of RAM, performance becomes a balancing act once you push past a handful of apps, but for most tasks it feels smooth and responsive. Chrome and Google Play scale to full desktop layouts, making this setup look downright professional on a 1440p screen.
Gaming Performance: Surprising Power in a Small Package
Gaming on this setup is where it really shines. Games like Hollow Knight: Silksong run smoothly on the Snapdragon 865. ETA PRIME was still downloading Left 4 Dead 2 during his demo, but the expectation is solid performance. That said, demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at 60fps are out of the question here, and ETA PRIME openly admits this.
Emulation tells a similar story: PS2 games via the NetherSX2 emulator run well, with God of War 2 reaching 2x resolution scaling, albeit with occasional frame dips. For the most stable experience, 1.75x scaling is recommended. Meanwhile, GameCube and Wii emulators perform admirably across most titles, though graphically intense stages like those in F-Zero GX can stress the system when upscaling. Other classics like Dreamcast, PSP, and Sega Saturn emulate cleanly without hiccups.
Could a Newer Samsung Phone Do Better?
If you’re craving more RAM or the latest Snapdragon silicon, phones like the Galaxy S21, S22, or S23 offer improvements but come at a higher price tag. The newer S24 and S25 models are still quite pricey, making them less ideal for budget builds. The Galaxy S20 FE strikes the perfect balance: affordable, readily available, and packing enough punch to handle a broad range of tasks without breaking a sweat.
What’s Next for This Build?
Although the full detailed build walkthrough hasn’t been released yet, ETA PRIME has recorded the entire process—a hefty three and a half hours of footage. The video will be published on YouTube if there’s enough interest from the community. Given how much potential and clever engineering this project showcases, it seems only a matter of time before this guide hits the airwaves.
Conclusion
This mini PC project is a brilliant reminder that innovation doesn’t always require breaking the bank. With a little creativity, a cracked Samsung Galaxy S20 FE can be repurposed into a versatile, budget-friendly desktop powerhouse capable of gaming and emulating classics. So, next time you browse eBay, keep an eye out—you might just find your next console-classic-carrying, Steam-playing mini PC sitting in the bargain bin.
FAQ
- What is Samsung DeX and why is it important here?
Samsung DeX is a desktop-like interface that allows a Samsung phone to connect to an external display and function as a PC. It’s the core technology that powers this mini PC setup. - How well does the Galaxy S20 FE handle gaming?
It runs many games smoothly, including Hollow Knight: Silksong and various emulators for PS2, GameCube, and Wii. However, very demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 won’t perform well. - Can I use this build without disassembling the phone?
Absolutely. You can simply dock the phone or place it on a stand and still enjoy the full DeX experience with external peripherals. - What peripherals work best with this mini PC?
Bluetooth controllers like the Xbox controller pair quickly, and standard USB keyboards and mice also work seamlessly. - Is this build future-proof?
While not cutting-edge, the Galaxy S20 FE’s balance of price and performance makes it a surprisingly capable device for current needs, especially for light gaming and productivity.
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