Why Would You Need a Foldable Smartphone When This Exists? The Raspberry Pi 5 Can Now Be Carried Around Without a Case or External Battery

An unusual device has appeared on the portable gadget market — Waveshare has released the PocketTerm35, a pocket computer in the form factor of a chunky smartphone with a physical QWERTY keyboard and a Raspberry Pi inside.

On the outside, the PocketTerm35 looks like something from the communicator era, but its dimensions aren't driven by a desire for minimalism — they're dictated by the need to fit a standard single-board computer. The manufacturer offers two base configurations. The PocketTerm35-Pi5 model is built around a Raspberry Pi 5 with 1GB of RAM, while the second version (PocketTerm35-Pi4) uses the previous generation single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi 4, but with 2GB of RAM. Both come with a pre-installed 64GB MicroSD card running a Linux-based operating system. The device is powered by a built-in 5,000 mAh battery.

The main feature that sets this model apart from most similar devices is the full-fledged keyboard — and it's not some stripped-down number pad, but a 67-key silicone keyboard with a dedicated number row and navigation buttons. The display, while only 3.5 inches diagonally, features a touch-sensitive IPS panel with 640 × 480 resolution and optical bonding. The screen is covered with tempered glass rated at 6H hardness, giving it decent scratch resistance. For audio output, there's a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a built-in 2W speaker. On the connectivity front, you get four USB ports and an Ethernet (RJ45) port on the top edge, plus a USB Type-C port for charging on the bottom.

Waveshare positions the PocketTerm35 as a portable terminal for development and debugging, but you shouldn't overlook the entertainment angle either: RetroPie support lets you turn the device into a pocket retro-gaming console — especially since the keyboard with navigation arrows is more than up to the task.

The starting price for the PocketTerm35-Pi5 is set at $149 (around 11,000 rubles). The device is niche and full of compromises. On one hand, it lacks the polish of consumer electronics, and its thickness will make you chuckle next to modern smartphones. On the other hand, it has everything you need for quick access to a Linux console — no messing around with external battery packs or foldable keyboards.

What do you think? Do you see any practical use for this kind of device in 2026, or is it more of a fun but morally obsolete accessory? Share your thoughts in the comments.