What you need to know
- BigMe posted a teaser on Kickstarter for the Hibreak Dual 2, a phone with a 6.1-inch color/BW E-Ink display and a 5-inch LCD.
- The company was also active on Reddit, stating its goal with the Hibreak Dual 2 is to create a device that gets users away from carrying two devices.
- The Hibreak Dual launched in April, and while the device had the right idea in mind, it fell flat in other areas.
BigMe's returning with news about a successor to its dual-screen device, which is probably going to happen sooner than any of us imagined.
BigMe's Kickstarter page teased the Hibreak Dual 2, the "world's first 80FPS Large Dual-Screen E-Ink Smartphone." The company's tagline for the device slips in an interesting "unmatched power" statement, too. This device is reportedly "launching soon." Official launch dates have yet to be posted. However, BigMe states the Hibreak Dual 2 will feature a 6.1-inch color/BW E-Ink display and a 5-inch LCD.
This phone will arrive with Android 16, Stylus support, and MediaTek's Dimensity 8300 SoC. It adds that the phone's upcoming RAM storage variants will include 12/256GB and 16/512GB. BigMe published more details about the Hibreak Dual 2 on its store, stating it features a 50MP main camera and a 5MP selfie lens. NFC capabilities were highlighted, as well as facial recognition for phone security.
As BigMe stirs interest, a company team member went on Reddit to capture early user comments and feedback. BigMe acknowledges that, while there is interest, there is likely concern. BigMe states its goal with the Hibreak Dual 2 is to "create a phone that gives you both a comfortable E Ink screen for reading/writing and a smooth LCD for everything else. No more carrying two devices."
However, many users on Reddit voiced concerns over the phone's software and bloatware. BigMe has been active in the thread's comments, jotting down notes on user concerns.
Are these the right moves?
Hi everyone, I’m from the Bigme team. We’re bringing the Hibreak Dual 2 to Kickstarter soon, and we’d love to hear your honest thoughts. from r/Bigme
A dual-screen phone sounds cool, but its practicality was called into question. Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich covered the Hibreak Dual when it launched in April. That model, similar to what's been teased for its successor, features an E Ink display alongside an LCD. The goal is to give users options with their device, instead of walking around with two devices, as BigMe has also stated.
An E Ink display provides "superior readability" and is much more "eye-friendly," per Sutrich. The original features a 42Hz refresh rate for its E Ink display, which was the fastest on the market. This is nowhere as quick as other displays, but it's good for the E Ink sector, and now BigMe says it's taking that up a notch with the Dual 2. We're still waiting to hear more about this phone. One thing is certain: the Hibreak Dual 2 needs to do more than the original.
Sutrich didn't feel that BigMe did all that it could with the first model; however, this early glimpse at the Dual 2 seems like it's taken the steps it needs to for a much better experience.
Android Central's Take
This most certainly is an interesting device. I'd be lying if I said I didn't agree with the concerns people have on Reddit. Also, many users tried to sway BigMe in a different direction. Urging the brand to focus on devices that separate the experience, rather than melding them into one.