This budget e-ink phone offers what the Palma 2 Pro falls short of

Bigme has launched HiBreak S, a device that blurs the line between smartphone and e-reader, all at an affordable price. While BOOX’s new Palma 2 Pro looks good but lacks full voice calling support, the HiBreak S offers connectivity and a starting price that makes it the most affordable color E Ink phone to date.

The HiBreak S features a 5.84-inch 3-color e-ink Kaleido display, available in color and black and white variants. The panel’s matte finish keeps reflections to a minimum, while a 36-level front light with adjustable color temperature makes it easy to read in any lighting. E Ink technology naturally favors visual comfort and energy efficiency over motion smoothness, so users should expect sharp text and muted colors rather than high-refresh images.

The device runs Android 14 with Google Play preinstalled, offering access to standard apps and messages and consuming much less power than a typical LCD or OLED phone. It combines 6 GB of RAM with 128 GB of storage (expandable to 1 TB via microSD) and has a 3300 mAh battery, offering ample space for files and all-day endurance. It also includes a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, primarily intended for document scanning and text recognition, so users can quickly digitize notes or contracts. reinforcing the phone’s focus on productivity over entertainment.

Of course, Bigme also confirms dual SIM and 4G support, cementing the device’s status as a true smartphone. This is an important distinction in a category full of e-readers that only imitate one. Compared to the BOOX Palma 2 Pro, which runs Android 15 but lacks full connectivity, the HiBreak S offers true phone functionality, all at a fraction of the cost.

Pricing for the black and white model starts at $249, while the color version costs $279. Both options represent a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking for a quieter, easier on the eyes smartphone experience.