Bigme HiBreak Dual 2 is the Phone You Flip to Trade Pixels for Paper

Bigme built the HiBreak Dual 2 around a simple mechanical solution to a familiar problem. Regular smartphones deliver color, speed, and apps but wear out eyes during long reading sessions. Dedicated e-readers protect vision and sip power yet lack cameras, video, and quick multitasking. This device carries both screen types in one slab so owners turn it over instead of juggling separate gadgets.

The 6.13-inch E-ink display is available on one side. The black and white version measures 824 by 1648 pixels, which is a fairly acceptable resolution of roughly 300 pixels per inch. Color versions aren’t as sharp, but they do offer thousands of distinct colors without the need for a larger screen. Bigme rates the screen for up to 80 hertz refresh in supported modes. The front light has 36 brightness settings and can be tuned to warm or cool, making reading for extended durations more pleasant whether indoors or outside in bright sunlight. You can even write and draw straight on the screen; simply grab an optional pressure-sensitive stylus and you’re ready to go.

Flip it over and on the other side, you’ll find a 5-inch LCD. That’s 1280 by 720 pixels of full-color action, ideal for viewing videos, scrolling through social media, playing games, or even using the camera, since the 50-megapixel sensor on the back works well with this display for framing images. You can also use your face to unlock the phone.

The MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor handles everything on both screens. You can choose 12 or 16 gigabytes of RAM combined with 256 or 512 gigabytes of storage. Android 16 and Google Play are pre-installed, so you have the complete package. There are unique software fixes available to help apps work properly when you flip the smartphone around. Dual SIM 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and stereo speakers complete the connectivity possibilities. The battery has 4450 milliamp hours and a 30w quick charger, albeit the E-Ink side does not draw much power as you sit there reading for hours on end. That will help you get more use out of your battery. Of course, if you use the LCD side frequently, your battery life will suffer, but Bigme believes you should be able to get through the day just fine.

Bigme improved on their previous dual-screen model. They ended up with a larger LCD around the back and a greater refresh rate on the front, but the essential idea remains the same. It’s still a physical flip, not simply software trickery. They also solicited user suggestions on how to improve the software’s usability, and it appears like they did a decent job of keeping the various aspects of the phone separate.

On Kickstarter, the base black and white model costs $599 and includes 12 gigabytes of RAM. If you want a color version or 16 gigabytes of RAM, you’ll need to pay $200 more. Each pledge includes a protective cover, and you can purchase the stylus separately. Bigme expects to begin distributing these out this fall, before the rest of the globe can get their hands on them at exorbitant retail pricing.