Extend smartphone camera outside the device
If your desire is to do this project you will have to put on the engineering type hat and do what engineers do all the time. Here are some of the steps involved...


Determine the economic feasibility of modding versus purchase of other technology to achieve similar results
Research the technology used
Find datasheets for key components (headers, connectors and camera)
Understand the camera data transfer protocol and frequencies involved
Learn about signal integrity and decide if lengthening the cable will be detrimental to the operation of the phone and/or the camera
If not already a user get an CAD package that supports drawing schematics, building part decals and making board and flex cable artwork
Draw schematics for any paddle boards and flex cables needed for the extension and extract layout netlists
Create footprint decals for all the parts that are needed if not already in an existing library
Pull part decals and netlists into routing design CAD package and make artwork for paddle boards and flex cables
Contract with manufacturers to make prototypes of the boards and flex cables that have been designed
Purchase or get samples of the parts that will be needed
When parts and boards/cables arrive assemble
Finally test it and see if it works
If not working rinse and repeat back to somewhere around step 1.


If this all sounds daunting you may want to consider some type of IP camera (WiFi) and stream it to your existing phone and not have to build anything.