Bigme recently put out a video showing off its new smartphone, the HiBreak Dual, which features a color e-ink screen with a very fast refresh rate.
The video is surprising and shows an e-ink display, on a smartphone, that can properly play videos and even run video games.
To pull this off, it’s mostly the software side that has been built for this use: processing algorithms display the information on the screen at just the right moment. This delivers an 80 FPS refresh rate (80 times per second), which is far higher than previous smartphones that already used this kind of screen (worth reading: my review of the Bigme HiBreak Pro).
While this is a notable step forward, some issues remain. “Ghosting,” meaning residual image traces left on the screen, is still present (though reduced).
The Bigme HiBreak Dual is therefore a smartphone that will be released very soon. It has a large 6.13″ e-ink screen at 300 PPI (black and white) and 150 PPI (color), and comes with a small stylus for taking notes.
On top of that, there’s a second, standard LCD screen on the back of the phone (hence the “Dual” name) that shows the time, notifications, and important info at a glance.
Technical specifications:
- Main screen: E Ink 6.13″ with 300 PPI (B&W) and 150 PPI (color)
- Secondary screen: color LCD, 360 x 360 pixels
- System: Android 14 (Google Play Store preinstalled)
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1080, octa-core 2.6 GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM + 128 GB / 12 GB RAM + 256 GB
- Expansion: OTG (up to 2 TB)
- Refresh rate: up to 80 FPS (“SSS” tech)
- Battery: 4500 mAh with 18 W fast charging
- Network: 5G, dual SIM (5G Global)
- Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- GPS: yes
- NFC: yes
- Cameras: 5 MP front + 20 MP rear
- Stylus: supported (4096 pressure levels)
- Unlock: fingerprint
- Front light: adjustable across 36 levels
- Dimensions: 80.9 x 159.8 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: about 213 g
- AI / software features: voice-to-text, OCR, BigmeGPT 5.0, AI Pets
- In the box: smartphone, charging cable, user guide, stylus (optional), case (optional)
My take on the Bigme HiBreak Dual
Bigme has been working on e-ink smartphones for years and their plan seems very clear.
The Bigme HiBreak Dual is a new iteration that further strengthens the position of a brand that is one of the only ones selling smartphones with an e-ink screen.
This time the target is clear: the Bigme HiBreak Dual is made for people who want a productivity tool that fits in their pocket. Most of the attention has gone into the screen and the stylus. Bigme is setting the camera side aside (even though you can still take photos and videos) to offer a device for creatives (stylus) and for people on a digital detox who want to cut down their screen time.
Of course, Bigme also has its eye on readers, since this screen will surely be very appealing to people who want a single, all-in-one device for their communications and for reading ebooks.
The phone is currently up for pre-order, and its price should land around $500 at launch.
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