My fascination with electronics led me to an ambitious question: could I build my own iPhone? This curiosity took me on a nine-month journey to Shenzhen, China, a city known for its bustling electronics markets. My goal was to assemble an iPhone 6s from parts sourced directly from these markets. This story captures the highs and lows of my adventure.

The Beginning of the Quest
The idea took root during a casual conversation in a dimly lit barbecue joint with fellow tech enthusiasts. We were intrigued by the array of cell phone parts available in Shenzhen's markets. Could a regular person, especially a foreigner like me who spoke little Chinese, source these parts and build a working phone? Determined to find out, I dove headfirst into the challenge.

Navigating Shenzhen's Markets
Shenzhen felt like a futuristic city straight out of Blade Runner, with its vibrant and chaotic markets. My first mission was to gather the four essential components for complete review an iPhone: the metal back, screen, battery, and logic board. I began by exploring back alleys and main markets to find these parts.

In the markets, I quickly learned the ropes. I initially bought a used and dinged-up metal back, but soon found a pristine one. The next task was to get the necessary laser markings for aligning cables and antennas. I found a laser engraving booth that could add these markings.

Building the Screen
The screen was one of the most complex parts. I teamed up with Frank, a buyer who knew the markets well, to source the components: glass, digitizer, LCD, backlight, and OCA (optically clear adhesive). We visited a repair shop where skilled technicians assembled the screen in a dust-free environment using specialized tools like hot soldering irons and vacuum bubble removers. Watching the process was fascinating, and the final product was flawless.

Tackling the Logic Board
The logic board, or the brain of the phone, was the most intimidating component. My initial attempt to solder chips onto a blank logic board was a disaster. Realizing I was out of my depth, I sought help from a cell phone repair school. The head teacher confirmed that building a logic board from scratch was possible but extremely difficult.

I then focused on finding a working logic board in the markets. With the help of Helen, another local friend, I navigated through chaotic stalls to find a refurbished board. After some negotiation and testing, I secured a functioning logic board.

Assembling the Phone
With the major components in hand, I needed various smaller parts: brackets, screws, cables, and speakers. I was lucky to find a vendor who provided everything I needed in one go. Excitedly, I began assembling the phone. It wasn't without challenges—some parts didn't fit perfectly, and I had to seek advice from market vendors to resolve issues. For instance, the volume buttons felt off until a vendor pointed out I needed tiny metal shims to make them click correctly.

The Final Product
After weeks of effort, I finally had a fully assembled iPhone. The sense of accomplishment wsition: form-data; name="token"