Hisense A10: An Innovative Smartphone Combining E Ink and Detachable LCD

Major appliance manufacturer Hisense announced the A10 smartphone on July 13, featuring a front-mounted E Ink (electronic paper) display and a detachable rear LCD panel. This marks the company’s first new E Ink smartphone in about four years since the release of the A9 in 2022.

According to a report by Brad Linder of Liliputing, the standout feature of the A10 is its detachable LCD display, which is magnetically attached to the back of the device. By attaching the color LCD when needed, users can switch between the paper-like readability and low power consumption of the E Ink display and the high-speed LCD display suited for videos and gaming—all on a single device. When the LCD display is removed, the device transforms into a slim, single-display E Ink smartphone.

Differentiation from Competing Models

In recent years, smartphones equipped with E Ink displays have been quietly but steadily carving out a niche in the market. Notably, the “HiBreak Dual” by Chinese company Bigme, which recently launched through a crowdfunding campaign, has drawn attention as a dual-display device with specifications almost identical to the A10. Both models are equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor, a 6.13-inch E Ink display, and a 5-inch LCD display, making them appear very similar at first glance.

However, the key difference between the A10 and the HiBreak Dual lies in the detachability of the LCD component. The rear LCD on the HiBreak Dual is fixed to the body and cannot be easily removed. In contrast, the A10’s LCD panel is magnetically attached below the camera bar, making it detachable. This design allows users to physically toggle between a lightweight and slim E Ink device for dedicated reading sessions and a multimedia-capable device with color display functionality.

Hisense has not disclosed the specific mechanism for the rear LCD’s communication with the main device. Potential methods could include USB connection, wireless communication, or pogo pins, but this remains speculative at this stage.

Key Specifications

The A10’s E Ink display reflects ambient light for visibility even under direct sunlight, mimicking the read clarity of paper. It also features a built-in front light, enabling reading in low-light conditions. Meanwhile, the rear LCD display supports full-color visuals and offers a high refresh rate suitable for video playback, gaming, and smooth scrolling.

Storage and memory options include 12GB RAM with 256GB storage or 16GB RAM with 512GB storage. The device comes pre-installed with Android 16, which supports the latest application ecosystems, distinguishing it from older Android-based devices.

Pricing and Release Date

According to multiple sources, the A10 is expected to be priced around $590 (approximately 92,000 yen) in the Chinese market. While Hisense is planning to launch the device domestically in China, there has been no official announcement regarding its availability in other countries.

In 2017, Hisense released the A2 Pro, which featured a dual-display setup with a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen and a 5.2-inch E Ink display. However, at the time, the E Ink display was positioned as a secondary screen, marking a distinct difference from the A10’s design, which allows users to actively switch between the two displays. The A10 underscores a significant evolution by emphasizing its role as a dedicated E Ink device.

Editorial Opinion

The detachable LCD design of the A10 provides a pragmatic solution to one of the biggest challenges faced by E Ink smartphones—their limited color display capabilities. For users who spend long hours reading or working on documents, the eye strain reduction offered by the paper-like E Ink display is a significant advantage. At the same time, the ability to easily switch to a color LCD for essential smartphone tasks like video streaming and multimedia adds flexibility.

This “selective duality” makes the A10 a highly practical device for a specific user segment. In the short term, the A10 is likely to compete with Bigme’s HiBreak Dual in the market. Consumer interest will hinge on factors such as price differences, the practicality of the detachable design, and after-sales support. Particularly, the durability of the detachable LCD during everyday use will be a critical factor in determining its long-term success.

References

• “Hisense A10 is an E Ink smartphone with a detachable LCD screen on the back”, by Brad Linder — Liliputing, 2026-07-13T21:04:05.000Z (ARR)
• Source URL: https://liliputing.com/hisense-a10-is-an-e-ink-smartphone-with-a-detachable-lcd-screen-on-the-back/