Just when it seemed like smartphone designs had reached a standstill, something completely different emerges. A new device from Bigme is causing a stir because it combines two completely different display technologies in one phone.
And no, this is not a gimmick flip screen or folding panel. Instead, it’s a mix of colored e-ink and a traditional LCD, and the idea is surprisingly practical.
A smartphone with two displays that serve completely different purposes
The newly discovered device is touted as the first smartphone to feature both a color e-ink screen and an LCD panel in a single body. The LCD acts as the primary display for regular use, such as apps, videos, games and standard smartphone content. The color E Ink panel, on the other hand, is designed for low-power tasks such as reading, notifications or even light browsing.
To be fair, the concept isn’t entirely new, as phones like the YotaPhone have already experimented with dual displays. However, the addition of colored e-ink changes things. Instead of a secondary grayscale screen, users get a more visually usable panel that can process content in a way that feels less constrained.
As expected, the biggest advantage is the battery life. E-Ink displays use significantly less power, especially when displaying static content. Things like reading articles, checking news, or viewing always-on information can barely drain the battery compared to using the LCD.
Added to this is the comfort factor. E-Ink is easy on the eyes, especially during long reading sessions, making this setup attractive to people who treat their phones like mini e-readers.
Why this idea might actually stick this time
Dual-screen phones have already been tried, but better timing makes this model more relevant. Since people use cell phones for reading and heavy tasks, a low-power, eye-friendly color e-ink screen feels more utilitarian than experimental.
Ultimately, however, it comes down to execution. Considering that most e-ink smartphones are relatively slow, this already poses numerous challenges. But if done right, this could quietly fix real problems like battery drain and screen fatigue.
