The Hibreak Pro is a 5G smartphone with an E Ink screen
Source: The Verge
The Bigme Hibreak Pro is currently available for preorder through the company’s online store for $439. What sets it apart from similar Android-based E Ink devices that often feel sluggish is that it’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 2.6GHz processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It’s a two-year-old processor used in midrange devices like the Samsung Galaxy A34 that could help Android 14’s user interface feel more responsive on the Hibreak Pro, even if it’s lacking the latest OS updates.
The experience won’t be comparable to what you get on smartphones like the $499 Pixel 8a, but the Hibreak Pro isn’t as much a budget smartphone competitor as it is an e-reader with enough capabilities to fill in the gap.
Even with Bigme’s “SSS” fast refresh technology, the Hibreak Pro’s E Ink screen still has a limited refresh rate of just 21fps. You won’t want to game on it, videos will look terrible, and scrolling TikTok won’t be as engaging. It’s instead worth considering if you’re looking for a mobile device that will minimize distractions while still offering the benefits of E Ink, like good battery life and a screen that’s easy on the eyes.
The Hibreak Pro’s E Ink screen has the same 300ppi resolution as the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, so even small text should be sharp and crisp while reading ebooks. It also features a 4,500mAh battery, a 20-megapixel rear camera paired with a five-megapixel selfie camera, a microSD slot, GPS, NFC, an IR port letting you use it as a universal remote, and a fingerprint reader built into its lock button.
