The Hibreak Pro is a 5G smartphone with an electronic ink display.

Andrew Liszewski, a senior reporter, has been dedicated to covering and analyzing the latest gadgets and technology since 2011, with a passion for electronic devices since childhood.

The new Bigme Hibreak Pro, which features a 6.13-inch black-and-white E Ink display, boasts a design reminiscent of the Boox Palma 2, released last October. However, unlike the Palma 2, which positions itself as a compact e-reader, the Hibreak Pro incorporates a more powerful processor and dual SIM 5G capability.

Currently, the Bigme Hibreak Pro is available for pre-order through the company’s online store for a price of $439. What sets it apart from other Android-based E Ink devices, which often appear sluggish, is its MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor running at 2.6GHz, equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Although this processor is two years old and found in mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy A34, it could contribute to a more responsive user interface on the Hibreak Pro with Android 14, even if it lacks the latest operating system updates.

The user experience will not compare to smartphones like the $499 Pixel 8a, as the Hibreak Pro does not compete in the budget phone category but presents itself as an e-book reader with enough features to meet certain needs.

Despite Bigme's fast refresh technology “SSS”, the E Ink display on the Hibreak Pro has a limited refresh rate of just 21 fps. This means it is not suitable for gaming, videos will appear poor, and browsing TikTok will not be as attractive. However, it is a device worth considering if you are looking for a mobile gadget that minimizes distractions while retaining the advantages of E Ink, such as good battery life and an eye-friendly display.

The E Ink screen of the Hibreak Pro reaches a resolution of 300 ppi, similar to that of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, ensuring that even small text is displayed sharp and clear when reading e-books. It also features a 4,500mAh battery, a 20-megapixel rear camera alongside a five-megapixel front camera, a microSD slot, GPS, NFC, an IR port that allows it to be used as a universal remote, and a fingerprint reader integrated into its power button.