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| A new smartphone combines color e-ink with LCD |
If you’ve ever wished for a smartphone that could give your eyes a break without sacrificing the convenience of a traditional screen, your wait might finally be over. We’ve already taken a deep dive into the new HiBreak Dual E-Ink from Bigme, and frankly, it’s one of the most intriguing devices to hit the niche tech scene this year. This isn’t just another Android phone—it’s a hybrid that dares to combine a power-efficient, eye-friendly E Ink display with a standard LCD panel, all in one package. Depending on which version you choose, you can even get color on that E Ink screen plus stylus support for note-taking and sketching.
Let’s cut straight to the details, because there’s a lot to unpack here—starting with the fact that Bigme is offering this gadget in a staggering eight different variants. Yes, eight. Whether you’re a casual reader, a digital artist, or a specs-hungry power user, there’s likely a configuration tailored to your needs.
A Model for Every User (and Every Budget)
The HiBreak Dual E-Ink is available with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, paired with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. But here’s where it gets interesting: each of those memory/storage combos comes in two sub-variants—one with a standard monochrome E Ink display, and one with a color E Ink screen. So if you’ve been dreaming of reading comics or viewing charts in muted but pleasant hues on an E Ink panel, the color version is your ticket.
And the customization doesn’t stop there. Buyers can choose to order just the smartphone itself, or grab a bundle that includes a protective case and a stylus. The stylus is particularly noteworthy for the color E Ink models, as it opens up possibilities for sketching, annotating documents, and jotting down notes with a paper-like feel.
Pricing and Preorder Strategy: Early Birds Win Big
Now, let’s talk money. The stated regular retail price ranges from $519 to $689, depending on how loaded your configuration is. But as with many exciting launches, the real action is in the preorder phase. Bigme is expected to offer substantial discounts—and here’s the kicker: these discounts appear to be limited more by quantity than by time. In other words, it’s a race to claim one of the early units before the price steps up.
The base version (8GB/128GB, monochrome E Ink, no bundle) starts at just $359 for the first 20 units. Once those are gone, the price jumps to $389, and then to $409. For those eyeing the top-of-the-line model—12GB RAM, 256GB storage, color E Ink, stylus, and protective case—the early-bird pricing is $479, then $509, and finally $539. Considering the regular retail price for that flagship variant is $689, that’s a hefty saving if you act fast.
Under the Hood: MediaTek Muscle and Modern Features
Beyond the dual-screen novelty, the HiBreak Dual E-Ink is no slouch in the specs department. It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset—a capable mid-range processor that also includes an integrated 5G modem. So yes, you’ll get fast cellular connectivity alongside the unique display setup.
The phone runs Android 14 out of the box, and crucially, it comes with full access to the Google Play Store. That means no sideloading headaches—you can download your favorite reading apps (Kindle, Kobo, Libby), note-taking tools, or even navigation apps without any fuss. Speaking of which, the device supports NFC for contactless payments and includes GPS and other location services for turn-by-turn navigation.
For the tinkerers and home-automation enthusiasts, there’s a charmingly retro addition: an IR blaster. This little feature lets you control older household devices—think aging air conditioners, DVD players, or non-smart TVs—that haven’t yet been integrated into your modern smart home setup. It’s a small touch, but one that shows Bigme has thought about real-world usability.
So, Who Is This Phone For?
The HiBreak Dual E-Ink isn’t trying to compete with the latest Samsung Galaxy or iPhone. Instead, it targets a specific crowd: heavy readers, digital minimalists, note-taking professionals, and anyone who suffers from eye strain after long hours on a traditional OLED or LCD screen. Having an E Ink display on one side (or perhaps as the primary screen with an LCD companion—details on the exact dual-screen mechanism are still emerging) means you can read email, browse articles, or work on documents in broad daylight without glare, and with significantly less blue light exposure.
Add in the optional stylus and color E Ink, and you’ve got a device that could replace both your phone and your e-notebook. It’s not cheap at the higher end, but the preorder discounts make it far more accessible.
Ready to Grab One?
If this sounds like the gadget you’ve been waiting for, you’ll want to head over to Bigme’s official store without delay. The early-bird units are strictly limited, and once the first 20 or so sell out at each tier, the price goes up.
👉 Check out the Bigme HiBreak Dual E-Ink preorder options and full specs here
Given the buzz in e-reader and digital note-taking communities, those initial discounted units are likely to vanish quickly. Whether you’re after the $359 base model or the fully loaded $479 bundle, it’s worth moving fast if you want to save over $100 off retail.
In a smartphone market that often feels iterative and predictable, the HiBreak Dual E-Ink stands out as something genuinely different. It’s a bold experiment—and for the right user, it might just be the perfect daily driver. Stay tuned for a full hands-on review once units start shipping to early adopters.
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| Being fast can pay off |