Hisense has unveiled its latest e-reader-focused smartphone, the Hisense A10, and it comes with a rather unusual twist: a magnetic full-color LCD display that snaps onto the back of the device. The result is a unique dual-screen Android phone that lets users separate their reading experience from their full-color app usage.
E Ink displays are prized for their paper-like reading experience and low power consumption. (Image: josemiguels / Pixabay)
Two Screens Are Better Than One
The Hisense A10 features a 6.13-inch E Ink touchscreen as its primary display. This panel is designed to mimic the look of real paper, making it ideal for extended reading sessions, note-taking, and studying without the eye strain commonly associated with traditional LCD or OLED smartphone screens. Think of it as a Kindle-style screen built right into a phone.
What makes the A10 truly unique, however, is its secondary display. The phone comes with a full-color LCD screen that attaches magnetically to the rear of the device. When you need to browse the web, watch videos, view photos, or use color-intensive apps, you simply snap the LCD onto the back and flip the phone over. When you want to go back to a distraction-free reading experience, you detach it and leave it behind.
Modular by Design
According to reports on X (formerly Twitter) and Weibo, Hisense plans to sell the A10 as a modular package. Buyers can reportedly purchase the main E Ink device on its own without the detachable LCD, which is expected to lower the entry price for those who only want the black-and-white reading experience. The detachable display can be added later as an optional accessory.
This isn’t the first dual-screen E Ink phone to hit the market — Chinese brand Bigme recently launched a crowdfunding campaign for the HiBreak Dual 2, which similarly pairs an E Ink main display with a color LCD on the back. But Hisense’s detachable approach gives users more flexibility than a fixed dual-sided design.
Specs and Availability
Leaks suggest the Hisense A10 will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and will run Android 16 out of the box, with 5G connectivity included. According to Good E Reader, pricing is expected to start at around $590 — likely for the base model with the E Ink display only, with the detachable LCD commanding additional cost.
The device is expected to launch first in China, and a US release seems unlikely at this stage. However, international buyers may be able to import the A10 through Chinese e-commerce channels.
Who Is It For?
The Hisense A10 is clearly targeting a niche audience: readers, students, and professionals who want a phone that minimizes distractions for long-form reading without sacrificing the full capabilities of a modern smartphone. The ability to add or remove the color LCD on demand means users can carry a lightweight E Ink device day-to-day and snap on the color screen only when needed — a genuinely novel take on the dual-screen phone concept.