Tech

This Dual Screen E-Ink/LCD Smartphone Is One of the Most Ill-Conceived Tech Products of the Year

By Alex • April 20, 2026
This Dual Screen E-Ink/LCD Smartphone Is One of the Most Ill-Conceived Tech Products of the Year

This Dual Screen E-Ink/LCD Smartphone Is One of the Most Ill-Conceived Tech Products of the Year

Okay, tech enthusiasts, gather 'round. We've seen some head-scratching gadgets over the years, but the latest offering from Chinese tech firm Bigme, dubbed the "Hibreak Dual," just took the cake, the bakery, and possibly the entire block. Bigme, known for its e-readers, teased a dual-screen smartphone with both e-ink and LCD displays. My initial thought? "Intriguing! An e-ink phone for focus, with a full-color LCD for when you really need it." Oh, how wrong I was.

When the actual design for the Hibreak Dual dropped, I genuinely laughed out loud. The e-ink side is pretty much what you'd expect: a solid 6.13-inch color e-ink display (300 PPI B&W / 150 PPI color) that even supports stylus input. Great for reading, note-taking, and reducing eye strain. But then you flip it over. Instead of a secondary, full-sized LCD screen, what do you get? A tiny, circular, 360x360 LCD display that looks like nothing so much as a submarine's porthole. Seriously, a porthole.

The Porpoise of the Porthole?

Bigme claims this "secondary screen" is for notifications, music controls, or checking the time. And yes, e-ink displays are always-on or off, so a quick-glance screen could make sense. But here's the rub:

  • Redundancy: Most modern Android phones already offer these features via a lock screen or always-on display.
  • Distraction Paradox: People opt for e-ink phones to minimize distractions. Does a tiny, pinging LCD on the back really help? It feels like trading one distraction for a less legible, more awkward one.
  • Awkward UX: Their promo video shows models awkwardly trying to take selfies or watch vertical videos on this tiny circle. And an "AI pet"? Come on. It instantly brings back memories of the nigh-illegible front screen of an old Motorola Razr, but somehow worse.

An "Eye-Friendly" Compromise That Misses the Mark

Bigme's justification is that it "keeps you in an eye-friendly experience while using the LCD functions that e-ink alone handles less effectively." While that concept has merit, the execution is baffling. Why not a full, standard LCD on the back, allowing users to choose their experience based on their task? The company even acknowledged Reddit users' dismay, stating they've "heard your requests for a full-screen dual e-ink and LCD phone" and will "include that in our future product planning." It makes you wonder what they were thinking in the first place.

At $519-$689 (pre-orders start April 16th), you're paying a premium for a product that feels like a compromise wrapped in a riddle. If you're serious about the benefits of e-ink, stick with dedicated e-readers or a simpler e-ink smartphone like Bigme's own Hibreak Pro Color. Save your money, and save yourself from the porthole phone. Some tech ideas are just better left on the drawing board.