Dual-screen phone with e-ink? bigme's bold gamble falls short
Forget chasing the next foldable. A Chinese startup, Bigme, is attempting something arguably more radical: a smartphone that swaps out one screen for an E-Ink display – and it's a gamble that likely won't pay off outside of a niche market.
The promise of paper-like reading on the go
The Bigme HiBreak Dual, currently a teaser on the company's website, proposes a fascinating concept. Imagine a device where one side boasts a standard LCD for video, games, and social media, while the other offers a color E-Ink panel designed for effortless reading and notification checking. The appeal is undeniable: reducing eye strain and dramatically extending battery life—a welcome respite from the ravenous power consumption of OLED and LCD screens.
E-Ink Technology, already familiar to Kindle owners, mimics the look of paper. It's remarkably gentle on the eyes, particularly during extended use. And with the HiBreak Dual employing a color E-Ink panel (likely based on E-Ink’s Kaleido 3 Technology), it could handle comics, magazines, and even color-coded notifications with a level of visual fidelity previously unattainable on E-Ink devices. But this isn't about competing with the vibrancy of your phone's primary display; it’s a different experience entirely.
A history of missed opportunities and software woes
The dual-screen, E-Ink phone isn't a completely novel idea. The YotaPhone attempted a similar approach back in 2013, and Hisense has experimented with monochrome E-Ink displays on the rear of its devices. But Bigme’s addition of a color E-Ink panel is what sets it apart—at least on paper.
However, a closer look reveals significant red flags. Bigme hasn't released concrete specifications, pricing, or a timeline for release. The fact that they're soliciting user guesses about the processor and Android version doesn't inspire confidence. More concerning is Bigme's track record. While they've demonstrated proficiency in building E-Ink hardware, their software has consistently been criticized as clunky and unreliable. This is a crucial failing; even the best screen is useless with a poorly designed interface.
A china-only affair, likely
And let's be realistic: Bigme's products rarely, if ever, launch outside of China. The HiBreak Plus, a single-screen color E-Ink phone, already carries a $249 price tag and ships directly from China with limited global support. Don’t expect to find the HiBreak Dual at your local carrier anytime soon.
The concept behind the HiBreak Dual is undeniably intriguing. The desire to escape the constant allure of a brightly lit smartphone screen is a growing concern. A dual-screen phone with E-Ink could be a genuine solution. But until a more established manufacturer like Samsung or Google embraces this idea, the HiBreak Dual remains a promising, yet ultimately improbable, experiment.