No electricity requiredPrinted cardboardGlass lens
Turn your phone into a mini cinema, without cables or outlets: that is the promise of the 2.0 smartphone projector. It is a printed cardboard box, featuring a retro design like an old-fashioned camera, equipped with a glass lens at the front. Simply slide your phone inside, screen facing the lens, turn off the lights… and your videos or photos will appear large on a wall. The projector uses no power: only the smartphone operates, with its brightness set to maximum. Lightweight and compact, it measures 19.5 x 11 x 17 cm and is easy to store. It is compatible with iOS and Android phones measuring no more than 16 x 8 cm. A manual is included for setup and focusing. Whether it’s a movie night under the covers, a family holiday slideshow, projecting cartoons for the kids, or a fun optics workshop: all that’s left to do is prepare the popcorn. A fun, economical object full of charm.
The principle
A lens, a black box, a screen
The projector follows the principle of the camera obscura, known for centuries: inside a closed box, light passes through only one opening, here equipped with a converging lens. This focuses the light emitted by the phone's screen and projects an enlarged image onto the opposite wall.
The box is made of printed cardboard, which is lightweight and economical. The lens is made of glass, offering a sharper image than a plastic lens. The darker the room, the more legible the projected image will be: this is why it must be used in the dark.
Key features
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No electricity
Only your phone is in use.
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Glass lens
For a sharper image.
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Compact and lightweight
19.5 x 11 x 17 cm, take it anywhere.
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iOS and Android
Phones up to 16 x 8 cm.
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Retro look
Printed cardboard in a vintage camera style.
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Manual included
Guided setup and focusing.
Cinema, DIY chic version
With its brown and silver print, faux buttons, and large round lens, the projector looks like a 1950s camera. Placed on a shelf, it’s already a fun decorative object.
But it reveals its magic in the dark: the light from your screen passes through the lens and draws an enlarged image on the wall. A simple, almost artisanal experience that recalls the magic lanterns of old.
Perfect for a cozy evening, a child's birthday, or a fun exploration of optics.
No extra screen, no remote, no cables to plug in: the experience remains simple and friendly, focused on the pleasure of watching together, in the dark, just like at the local cinema of yesteryear.
Start the show
1
Prepare the projector by following the included manual.
2
Adjust your phone: brightness at maximum, auto-rotate locked, Do Not Disturb mode on.
3
Slide the smartphone inside, screen facing the lens, then start your video.
4
Focus by adjusting the lens in a pitch-black room.
Compatibility: the projector accepts iOS and Android phones measuring up to 16 x 8 cm. Measure your device, case removed, before ordering.
Tip: a lens inverts the projected image. Lock your screen rotation and place the phone upside down in the projector: the image will appear upright on the wall.
Technical specifications
| Product |
Smartphone projector |
| Version |
2.0 |
| Material |
Printed cardboard |
| Optics |
Glass lens |
| Dimensions |
19.5 x 11 x 17 cm |
| Power |
None (uses phone screen) |
| Compatibility |
iOS and Android, phones up to 16 x 8 cm |
| Contents |
Projector + manual |
| Usage |
In the dark |
Note: this is a fun projector without its own light source: the image is less bright and smaller than that of an electric video projector. The cardboard is sensitive to moisture; do not let the phone heat up inside the box for too long.
A fun gift for all ages
For a curious child, a movie-buff teen, a fan of retro objects, or a get-together with friends, the smartphone projector is an original and accessible gift.
Also discover our scientific objects, our office and hi-tech accessories, and our decoration ideas.
Frequently asked questions
How does the smartphone projector work?
The projector is a closed cardboard box equipped with a glass lens at the front. You slide your phone inside with the screen facing the lens. The light emitted by the screen passes through the lens, which concentrates it and projects an enlarged image onto the opposite wall. The projector has no bulb or battery: your phone's brightness does all the work. To get a legible image, it must be used in a pitch-black room.
Is my phone compatible?
The projector is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones measuring no more than 16 x 8 cm. Before ordering, measure the height and width of your phone, preferably without its case, which you will likely need to remove to fit it. Most standard-sized smartphones are suitable; very large models or tablets will not fit in the box. No specific app is required: simply use your usual video player or photo gallery.
Why is the image upside down?
It's a law of optics: a converging lens inverts the image it projects, both top to bottom and left to right. To get an upright image, lock the auto-rotation on your screen, start the video in landscape mode, then place the phone upside down in the projector. The image will then appear correctly oriented on the wall. The included manual guides you step-by-step through this process, which takes only a few seconds before each session.
Does it need a power outlet?
No, the projector requires no power supply. It has no bulb, battery, or cables: it uses only the light from your smartphone's screen. This makes it economical and easy to take anywhere—on vacation, camping, to a friend's house, or to a child's bedroom. Just remember to charge your phone before the session, as the maximum brightness and video playback will drain the battery. You can also plug it into a power bank if your setup allows.
How large can the image be?
The image size depends on the distance between the projector and the wall: the further away you place the projector, the larger the image, but the dimmer it will be. You must find the right balance depending on how dark the room is and your phone's brightness. For the best result, project onto a smooth white wall or a stretched sheet in a completely dark room. Then adjust the focus by moving the lens until you get a sharp image.
Is the projector easy to use?
Yes. A manual is included to guide you through setup and focusing. No tools, apps, or complex settings are required: simply prepare your phone, slide it into the box, and adjust the focus. The printed cardboard projector measures 19.5 x 11 x 17 cm and is easy to store on a shelf between sessions. Setting it up can even be a fun activity to share with children. Simply handle the cardboard with care so as not to bend it.
Is it a good gift idea?
The smartphone projector is a fun gift that is original and accessible. It delights children, who love projecting their cartoons onto their bedroom ceiling, as well as adults who are nostalgic for retro objects or fans of impromptu movie nights. It's also a great way to introduce people to the principles of optics. Give it for a birthday, Christmas, a sleepover, or a housewarming party, along with a bag of popcorn and a movie list to complete the gift.
