A $59 Android phone dressed up as an “iPhone Ultra Mini” isn’t something you stumble across every day. Clocking in at just 3.8 inches, this tiny gadget, put through its paces by Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything fame, is out to prove a cheap smartphone can still take a beating.
Nelson kicks off with his classic scratch test, and this little guy punches above its weight. The screen, which you’d bet is flimsy plastic at this price, turns out to be legit glass, holding strong against scratches like it’s ready to brawl with fancy flagships. As Nelson drags his tools across it, the display stands tough, earning a surprised thumbs-up for a phone that costs less than a nice dinner.
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The frame, though, shows where corners were cut. Plastic sides, not some slick aluminum or titanium, give way under Nelson’s box cutter, peeling back to reveal the phone’s budget roots. It’s a clear sign you’re not getting premium materials at $59, but that plastic frame has a bit of flex, hinting it might bend instead of breaking when things get rough.
A cool surprise pops up with the SIM tray, which also fits an SD card—a feature Apple ditched ages ago. Nelson can’t resist a playful dig at high-end phones, pointing out that if this pint-sized device can pack expandable storage, there’s no excuse for pricier models to skip it.
The back camera, a lone lens pretending to be a triple-camera setup, gets a laugh from Nelson as he carves a fake Apple logo into the plain rear. Unlike the high-end cameras on premium phones, this one’s mostly for show, but it shrugs off scratches with minimal fuss. The back panel, likely plastic, takes a beating under Nelson’s blade but seems sturdy enough for daily pocket life.
Next up is Nelson’s fiery test, a JerryRigEverything staple. The Ultra Mini’s TFT LCD screen faces the flames and, as expected, takes a hit, showing permanent burn marks after a few seconds. It’s no match for the fancy OLEDs in high-end phones, but for a budget device, it holds up better than you’d think under such a wild test.
The final challenge is the bend test, and here the Ultra Mini’s small size shines. Nelson leans in with both hands, but the plastic frame and compact build keep it from snapping. Unlike bigger phones that might crack under pressure, this little champ takes the strain with just a few creaks, staying intact without any deal-breaking damage.
