Hisense unveiled the A10, an e-ink phone with a magnetically detachable color LCD screen. The device features a 6.13-inch e-ink display on the front, designed to mimic paper for reading, note-taking, and studying. Users can snap on the color LCD panel when they need to view images, comics, charts, or social media apps. The design solves a problem: e-ink is great for text but terrible for color content.
The approach is pragmatic. Most e-ink phones struggle because they sacrifice too much for battery life. Hisense said: keep the paper-like display for everyday reading, add detachable color for entertainment. It’s a hybrid solution for a hybrid device.
Hardware and Performance
The A10 runs on a 4-nanometer octa-core Qualcomm processor and supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6. The device runs Android 16. Battery life is the real story here. E-ink displays consume minimal power compared to LCD or OLED screens. Switching between e-ink and color lets users pick the right tool for the task.
Pricing is expected around CNY 3,999, roughly $590. The phone launches in China in August 2026. Neither US nor UK retail availability is expected, though imports via AliExpress or eBay are realistic for interested buyers.
Who This Is For
E-ink phones appeal to readers and students first. People who spend hours scrolling text, checking email, or reviewing documents benefit from the reduced eye strain. Add color capability for specific use cases, and the trade-offs shrink. Hisense found a niche and built a phone for it.
The detachable design is clever engineering. Previous e-ink attempts failed because they tried to do everything on one screen. Hisense accepted the limitation and built around it. The result is a device that excels at what it does instead of compromising across the board.
Market Context
E-ink phones remain niche. OnePlastic and Boox have tried various approaches. Hisense’s earlier A9 came out in 2022 with a 6.1-inch screen and returned in 2025 with more RAM. The A10 evolution shows the company is committed to the category even if mainstream adoption never arrives.
Hisense A10 proves that niches can still support innovation. Not every phone needs to be everything to everyone. Some just need to be excellent at one thing.
