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| The BigMe HiBreak Dual has a color E Ink display on the front and a color LCD on the back. |
Let’s be honest: most smartphones look the same these days. A big glass slab on the front, maybe a camera bump on the back, and that’s about it. But every once in a while, a company comes along and says, “What if we did something completely different?” That company is Bigme, and their latest creation—the Bigme HiBreak Dual—is exactly that kind of wild card.
If you’ve been following the E Ink smartphone space, you probably remember Bigme’s previous HiBreak models. They were interesting, sure, but they felt like niche devices for hardcore readers and note-takers. The new HiBreak Dual? It takes a totally different approach. Instead of one screen, it has two. And not in a foldable, crease-in-the-middle kind of way. We’re talking about a color E Ink display on the front and a tiny, round color LCD panel on the back. Yes, you read that right.
Two Screens, Two Personalities
The front of the HiBreak Dual is all about that sweet, eye-friendly E Ink experience. It’s a 6.13-inch color E Ink display that delivers 300 PPI in black-and-white mode—crisp, sharp, and perfect for reading eBooks, articles, or long documents. When you switch to color, the resolution drops to 150 PPI, which is still decent for comics, magazines, or viewing photos without the eye strain of a traditional OLED or LCD screen.
But here’s where things get fun. Flip the phone over, and you’ll find a 1.85-inch round color LCD screen with a 360×360 resolution. It’s small, it’s circular, and Bigme calls it a “quick-glance hub.” Think of it like a smartwatch face built into the back of your phone. You can check notifications, see who’s calling, or even use it as a viewfinder for the rear camera while taking selfies with the main camera. It’s quirky, sure, but also surprisingly practical.
Under the Hood: More Than Just a Gimmick
You might think a phone with an E Ink screen would be underpowered—meant only for reading and light tasks. Not this one. Bigme packed the HiBreak Dual with MediaTek’s Dimensity 1080 processor, which is a solid mid-range chip found in several mainstream phones. You can configure it with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and there’s a microSD card slot that supports up to 2TB of extra space. That’s a lot of eBooks, PDFs, and manga.
On the camera front, it’s modest but capable: a 5MP front-facing camera and a 20MP rear camera. Nothing groundbreaking, but paired with that rear LCD viewfinder, you can take surprisingly good selfies using the better 20MP sensor. Clever, right?
Stylus Support: For the Note-Takers and Annotators
If you’re the type who loves to scribble in the margins of digital documents, you’re going to appreciate this. The HiBreak Dual comes with stylus support—and not just any stylus. The optional pen offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, so it actually feels natural when you’re sketching, taking notes, or highlighting articles. Bigme even sells a case with a built-in slot to store the stylus when you’re not using it.
Imagine reading a research paper on that E Ink screen, circling key points, and jotting down thoughts—all without the glare and battery drain of a traditional tablet. That’s the promise here.
Software and Connectivity: Android 14 with All the Trimmings
The HiBreak Dual ships with Android 14, which means you’ll have access to the Google Play Store and all your favorite apps. And because it’s Android, you can customize the experience to your heart’s content. Bigme hasn’t locked things down with a heavy skin, so you’re getting a relatively clean interface.
Connectivity-wise, this phone is surprisingly well-equipped: Bluetooth 5.2, NFC for contactless payments, dual-band Wi-Fi, dual-SIM support, an infrared blaster (hello, universal remote control fans), and a fingerprint scanner for security. It’s rare to see an IR blaster on any phone these days, let alone a niche E Ink device.
Battery Life: The Real Star?
One of the biggest advantages of E Ink displays is their power efficiency. The HiBreak Dual packs a 4,500mAh battery with 18W charging—the same setup as the HiBreak Pro Color. But because the front screen sips power rather than guzzling it, you can expect significantly longer battery life than any traditional smartphone. Bigme hasn’t released official numbers yet, but if other E Ink phones are any indication, you could go days—maybe even a week—between charges if you’re mostly using the E Ink display.
Pricing: Early Birds Get the Best Deals
Now, let’s talk money. The HiBreak Dual isn’t cheap, but it’s also not outrageously expensive given its unique feature set. The base model (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) has a final retail price of $539. If you want the 12GB RAM + 256GB version, that’ll run you $599 for the phone only. Add the stylus and case, and you’re looking at $629 or $689, respectively.
But here’s where Bigme is trying to generate buzz: super early bird pricing. If you’re fast enough to snag one of the first 10 units, you can get the base model for just $379. That’s a massive discount. There are also early bird and VIP tiers with limited quantities. Below is the full breakdown:
| Configuration | Super Early Bird (10 units) | Early Bird (10 units) | VIP Offer (25 units) | Final Retail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8GB+128GB | $379 | $409 | $439 | $539 |
| 8GB+128GB w/ stylus & case | $439 | $469 | $499 | $629 |
| 12GB+256GB | $419 | $449 | $479 | $599 |
| 12GB+256GB w/ stylus & case | $479 | $509 | $539 | $689 |
If you’re intrigued, you’ll want to act fast. The super early bird slots are extremely limited—only 10 per configuration. You can check out the official product page right here for more details and to see when the sale goes live.
How Does It Compare to the HiBreak Pro Color?
You might be wondering: “Should I get this or the HiBreak Pro Color?” The Pro Color is a more traditional E Ink phone—single display, no gimmicks, and it’s currently available on Amazon for $489. It’s a great device if all you want is a reading-focused phone with long battery life. But the Dual adds that extra LCD panel for quick interactions, a better processor (Dimensity 1080 vs. whatever was in the Pro), and more RAM/storage options. If you often find yourself flipping between reading and needing to check notifications without disturbing your E Ink session, the Dual’s back screen is a game-changer.
Final Thoughts: Who Is This Phone For?
The Bigme HiBreak Dual isn’t trying to compete with the latest iPhones or Galaxy S series. It’s a specialized tool for a specific kind of user: the avid reader who also needs a capable smartphone; the student or researcher who lives in PDFs and highlighters; the digital minimalist who wants long battery life and less eye strain; or the gadget lover who just appreciates weird, wonderful hardware.
Does it have compromises? Sure. The E Ink color mode is low-res compared to any LCD or OLED. The cameras are average at best. And at over $500, it’s not an impulse buy. But for the right person, the HiBreak Dual could be the most productive and enjoyable phone they’ve ever owned.
Bigme is taking a risk here, and I love it. In a world of identical black rectangles, the HiBreak Dual dares to be different. Whether that difference is worth your money depends on how much you value reading, note-taking, and battery life over flashy specs. But one thing’s for sure: I haven’t been this excited about a smartphone design in years.
Stay tuned for a full review once we get our hands on a final retail unit. In the meantime, head over to Bigme’s store to learn more or sign up for early bird notifications.
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| The color display on the back can be used to view notifications and as a viewfinder for the camera. |
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| The Bigme HiBreak dual has two displays and stylus support. |