In a smartphone industry dominated by OLED and LCD displays, the Bigme Hyirek Pro sets out to break the mold as the world’s first phone featuring a color e-ink screen. Designed to merge the benefits of e-ink displays with smartphone functionality, it occupies a niche long anticipated by e-reader enthusiasts and tech hobbyists. Yet, as with any innovation, the Bigme Hyirek Pro raises questions about usability, performance, and durability.

Why E-Ink in a Smartphone?

E-ink technology, while commonly associated with e-readers like the Kindle, offers several advantages for smartphones. These displays consume significantly less power compared to other screens, as they require zero energy to maintain a static image. The Bigme Hyirek Pro takes this advanced feature and adds color. With a resolution of 150 pixels per inch (PPI) for color content and 300 PPI for black-and-white images, the Hyirek Pro prioritizes functionality over crispness and vibrancy. Unlike LCD or OLED screens, the e-ink display is inherently slower, refreshing at just 21Hz. Videos are playable, but ghosting remains a noticeable drawback.

The Design Philosophy

Out of the box, the device is shipped with a clear plastic case, showcasing its design and displaying a pre-loaded image thanks to the unique property of e-ink displays: they retain the last image shown without drawing power. The phone itself is built predominantly from plastic, with the clear exception of its glass back. This design choice minimizes weight but compromises premium appeal. Interestingly, the red fingerprint scanner and IR blaster add a bit of flair to the otherwise utilitarian aesthetic.

On the hardware front, the phone includes a 20-megapixel rear camera (described as producing smeared results) and a surprisingly adequate 5-megapixel front camera. However, it lacks water ingress protection, and the durability of its largely plastic frame is called into question during stress tests.

The Durability Test: Can It Withstand Everyday Life?

Durability, or the lack thereof, quickly emerges as the Bigme Hyirek Pro’s Achilles heel. The plastic laminate screen protector scratches easily, succumbing to even mild abrasion. Beneath that, a permanent plastic laminate layer over a glass substrate also showed vulnerabilities. The frame, too, is mostly plastic, making it less robust compared to metal-framed competitors.

The real test came during a bend test, where the phone cracked internally due to stress applied from the front. While the external display revealed no immediate signs of damage, internal components could no longer function, rendering the device unusable. Upon disassembly, it became clear that Bigme had used strong adhesive to secure components, complicating repairs.

What’s Inside?

For the tech-curious, the teardown of the Bigme Hyirek Pro provides a fascinating look at the mechanics of e-ink displays. The layers consist of a plastic sheet, laminated glass, and rubber-like membranes containing color and monochrome e-ink pouches. Even when the battery and motherboard were removed, the screen preserved the last loaded image, underscoring the power efficiency of e-ink technology. While that feature may appeal to users tired of traditional consumption-driven smartphone displays, it highlights the fragility of innovation when pushed to its limits.

Usability Considerations

The Bigme Hyirek Pro runs a full Android operating system, enabling users to download commonly used apps. However, not all applications are optimized for the lower-resolution and slower refresh e-ink display. Fine visual details, such as map lines in apps like NordVPN, can appear muddled. Similarly, any application requiring fast refresh rates may feel sluggish compared to modern smartphones.

While watching videos is possible at reduced quality, the unique e-ink experience may actually appeal to those hoping to reduce their screen time. By avoiding the vivid and overstimulating colors of OLED screens, this device theoretically tackles smartphone addiction.

Who Is This For?

The Bigme Hyirek Pro is not a smartphone for everyone. Its lower resolution and slower refresh rate disqualify it as a daily driver for most people accustomed to the responsiveness of flagship phones. However, it presents an intriguing option for niche users: e-book enthusiasts who want a device that combines e-reader perks with basic smartphone functionality, or users drawn to its frugal battery consumption and unique visual aesthetics.

Final Thoughts

The Bigme Hyirek Pro stands at the frontier of smartphone innovation, albeit not without its flaws. The durability issues flagged during testing indicate that the device is far from perfect. However, the opportunity to own a smartphone with a functional, color e-ink display might outweigh these concerns for those invested in sustainable or minimalist tech practices.

The inevitable question remains: would you trade durability and high performance for a one-of-a-kind display technology? For now, the Bigme Hyirek Pro is best seen as an experimental entry into a niche market rather than a mainstream competitor.