E-ink displays have long been a favorite among readers, but what happens when that technology meets the modern smartphone? Chinese tech company Bigme answers that question with their Hibreak and Hibreak Pro—two devices aimed at combining the comfort of e-ink with the power of Android.
I recently had the chance to unbox and test both models, including the yet-unreleased Hibreak Pro, and there’s a lot to talk about.
First Impressions: Unboxing the Hibreaks
Both devices arrived in neat packages straight from China, branded under Bigme. If you’ve heard of Bigme before, it’s probably thanks to their wide range of e-ink gadgets—from tablets and readers to monitors and even computers. They’re one of the few brands still investing in e-ink smartphone technology, and that’s where the Hibreak series comes in.
Inside the boxes:
Standard Hibreak includes a 5.84″ black-and-white e-ink display, a pre-applied screen protector, a silicone case, and a SIM ejector tool. No charger or USB cable included.
Hibreak Pro offers a more refined experience with a 6.13″ screen, an upgraded processor, better build quality, and a higher-end beige silicone case. It includes a USB-C cable but still skips the charger.
Hibreak (Standard Model): A Nostalgic But Limited Experience
The standard Hibreak is almost identical to Bigme’s earlier color e-ink version, except it swaps the color display for a grayscale one. Its retro design—with a leather-textured back—feels like a throwback to early 2000s Nokias.
Key Specs:
Display: 5.84″, 720×1440 resolution (276 PPI)
Processor: MediaTek (4G only)
RAM/Storage: 6GB RAM, 128GB internal (expandable via microSD)
OS: Android 11 with Bigme’s custom e-ink launcher
Cameras: Basic front and rear
Battery: 3,300 mAh
While functional, this model is clearly designed for light use. It’s suitable for reading, messaging, and other static content, but don’t expect much in the way of media performance or speed.
Hibreak Pro: The Real Game Changer
The Hibreak Pro is where Bigme flexes its muscles. It upgrades nearly every component, making it a genuinely modern smartphone—just with a unique e-ink twist.
Upgrades include:
Larger display: 6.13″ with 300 PPI
Faster processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1080 (5G support)
More memory: 8GB DDR5 RAM and 256GB storage (non-expandable)
Android 14: Modern OS with better support and features
Fingerprint sensor, NFC, fast charging, and dual-SIM support
The Pro also features a cleaner, white design with red hardware accents and programmable buttons on both sides—great for turning pages when reading. Its 4,500 mAh battery and 18W fast charging make it more practical for daily use.
One drawback? It lacks support for Bigme’s proprietary styluses used with their tablets—but you can still use a basic capacitive stylus if needed.
E-Ink: The Good, The Bad, and The Niche
Pros of e-ink screens:
Comfortable on the eyes, especially for heavy readers
Great visibility in bright sunlight
Low power consumption
Ideal for reading books, documents, emails, and long-form content
Limitations to consider:
Poor refresh rate—video playback feels like a slideshow
Image retention (“ghosting”) requires frequent screen refreshes
Not suitable for heavy multimedia use
Still, for people who read a lot, an e-ink smartphone is a brilliant second device. And for users who spend hours on emails, Word docs, or spreadsheets, switching to e-ink can significantly reduce eye strain.
Software & Updates
Bigme impresses here too. Unlike many Chinese brands, they consistently push over-the-air updates, and even the pre-release Hibreak Pro received one as soon as it connected to Wi-Fi. Both devices come with a suite of utility apps, including OCR (text recognition) tools that work surprisingly well with the e-ink camera setup.
Notably, the Pro model passes all Google Play security checks, which is essential for enabling features like NFC payments. The standard model, by contrast, only passes basic checks.
Final Verdict: Should You Get One?
E-ink smartphones aren’t for everyone—but if you’re in their niche, Bigme is the only serious player left in the game. Between the two:
The standard Hibreak is fine for basic reading and messaging.
The Hibreak Pro is a genuinely modern smartphone tailored for eye comfort, productivity, and daily usability.
If budget allows, go for the Hibreak Pro. You’re getting a device with fast 5G, excellent build quality, lots of RAM and storage, fingerprint unlocking, and a clean Android 14 experience—all wrapped in a sleek, eye-friendly e-ink package.
It won’t replace your main phone, but it might just become your favorite.