Hisense A10 E Ink Phone Brings Detachable Color Screen And 5G Support

Hisense has introduced a rather unusual smartphone in China that takes a different approach to the traditional phone display. The new A10 E Ink series combines a paper like monochrome screen with an optional color display that can be attached to the back of the phone when needed.

The company has launched two versions called A10 Pro and A10 Ultra. Prices start at 2,799 yuan, which is roughly Rs 39,700 based on the provided conversion. Both models weigh around 190 grams and are offered in Moon White and Bamboo Green finishes.

The most interesting part of the device is not its processor or camera but the way users can switch between monochrome and color viewing. The primary display uses a 6.13 inch Carta 1300 E Ink panel with a resolution of 1648 by 824 pixels and a pixel density of 300 pixels per inch.

The E Ink screen supports 256 levels of grayscale along with 36 levels of dual color front lighting. Unlike a conventional smartphone panel, the display is designed to provide a more paper like reading experience. Hisense is positioning it for activities such as reading ebooks, working with PDF documents and studying.

The display is paired with an E Ink T2000 hardware TCON chip, which manages the refresh behaviour of the panel. The company also highlights the screen’s low flicker characteristics and lack of blue light emission from the E Ink display itself.

When users want a conventional color viewing experience, the detachable accessory comes into play. The optional color screen measures 4.96 inches and uses a magnetic ring and metal contacts to connect to the rear of the smartphone.

Once attached, the color panel allows the phone to handle activities that are better suited to a conventional display. Users can browse colorful content, view images and charts, watch short videos and use social media applications. The accessory can then be removed when a monochrome display is preferred.

There is a difference between the two models in terms of the accessory. The A10 Ultra includes the magnetic color screen in the box, while the A10 Pro has the required magnetic contacts but does not include the additional display as standard. Customers can purchase the color screen separately for the Pro model.

On the performance side, both phones are powered by Qualcomm’s QCM6690 octa core processor, built using a 4nm process. The chipset supports 5G connectivity and has been designed with E Ink devices in mind.

Hisense says the phone can reduce processor frequency and power consumption during static reading tasks. When users switch to more demanding activities, the device can increase performance to maintain a smoother experience.

The A10 series is powered by Android 16 and supports regular Android applications, unlike some specialised E Ink phones that restrict app installation. The company has also indicated that the devices are eligible for extended software updates and security patches.

Photography has not been overlooked either. The phones feature a 48 megapixel primary rear camera and an 8 megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. Other features include NFC, WiFi 6, an infrared remote control, call recording and app cloning.

A 4000mAh battery powers the devices. Charging support includes 18W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The A10 Ultra also supports magnetic wireless charging.

For buyers, the A10 series offers a concept that is quite different from regular smartphones. Instead of forcing users to choose between an E Ink reader and a conventional color phone, Hisense has attempted to combine both experiences in one device through the detachable display.

The A10 Pro starts at 2,799 yuan for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version. The 8GB and 256GB model costs 2,999 yuan, while the 12GB and 512GB variant is priced at 3,499 yuan.

The A10 Ultra starts at 3,198 yuan for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The 8GB and 256GB version costs 3,398 yuan, while the top 12GB and 512GB configuration is priced at 3,898 yuan.

For now, the A10 series has been launched in China, and there is no confirmed information about wider international availability. Its unusual combination of E Ink technology and a detachable color display could nevertheless make it one of the more distinctive smartphones in the market.