Is it really minimalistic though? Seems like it can do everything a standard smartphone can do except slower with e-ink. Perhaps there are less things you'd be inclined to do with it due to the limitations of e-ink, but I wouldn't call a phone that can still watch RU-vid, download apps, etc. etc. "minimalistic".
@@CosmicApeit’s definitely very minimalistic compared to the average phone. In a world where every phone is getting faster and more immediate to use and more capable of doing complex entertainment this is on a different level of minimalist compared to that. I’m looking into this right now because I’ve always liked the idea of having a less capable phone but I unfortunately talk to too many people on apps like instagram to be able to give up that direct lane of communication with good friends. However, because this means that I have to keep instagram on my phone, it is very easy for me to get distracted and lost in a time loop of content. I think this would let me talk to the people I care about without using it as an endless hole of entertainment
man im in love with this, i like the idea of light phone 2, but to have whatsapp in your e-ink and reading files is such a gamechanger, i know hisense been making a lot of these, but i am loving this design and to have up to 4 days without charging? hell yeah
@@thelojay i know, but if only everyone just agrees on using just rcs, for ppl that live outside the US, having whatsapp is a must, but then i understand light phone is only sold on the US
@@thelojay But it doesn't defeat the purpose for people who want a simple phone and who suffer from PWM migraines. It's sad nobody has done this sooner. And it lasts fro 4 days on a single charge, it's a winner!
The moment I saw you looking for Jose Briones on RU-vid I liked and subscribed! Then knew this phone is for me. I've been trying to find the perfect phone for me, trying different Nokias, rooting android and even developing custom roms for my Android using lineage os and such... and always always I found myself getting back to the good old super addictive smartphone... I'm going to try this one for sure!
FYI. Hisense is the only one who produced E-ink smartphones. It is a bit of a mess as the phones are good but none have global version. A5 pro is clearly the best version as it is smallest, lightest, has fingerprint, face security, highest amount of RAM/ROM (6GB/128GB) and NFC. If you order with Google play rom (it's side loaded so you can't go back to factory setting without loosing Google Play) it is about 300 bucks. The A9 has slightly higher dpi (287 vs 300dpi) and higher android version (10 vs 11) but is overall clearly worse and more expensive. Success 😎
Hi, good question. It is not all black and white per see. I did some further investigation and found that there is another A9 version I didn't know of and changes the situation a bit. It is called A9 pro (for sale at Hisenseeink). The A9 pro has now android 12, has 8GB/256GB memory, has a more official 1200 carta display with warm and cold light (better e-reader) and is the international version with official GooglePlay. However, it is still bigger and heavier than the A5 pro, has no NFC and somehow scores 50% less in Antutu. So unless the price (about 180 difference), NFC or the format is crucial for you the A9 pro seems a better long term option. Hope this helps 🙂 Edit: well, I saw some conflicting info on the A9 pro, it seems not really truthfull info regarding Google (still side-loaded), android 12 seems just 11? So be aware of Hisenseeink and Good e-Reader sites as it is not looking trustworthy. I leave it here, tiresome ;-) @@yorgohoebeke
@@tip0019 thanks for answering and this info ! I actually ordered a hisense A9 6gb/128gb and thought it had a Carta 1200 screen. It's a shame it hasn't nfc though . I'll be able to share my experience in a few days :)
@@tip0019 looking online I stumbled an article from good e reader saying that the only difference between pro and non pro hisense is the ram and gb, not the screen ! So I will enjoy 300 ppi 🤩
Thanks for the review. This is exactly what I'm looking for. It's a shame the price gets inflated so much in Australia but that's just how things go here unfortunately.
Been using this for about a year and I feel this is the best phone in between a smartphone and dumbphone but wish it was as small as my iPhone 8. The battery life is the best (able to last for 3 days on light usage) and removes any battery anxiety even when it goes below 10%. However, I'm kinda afraid that the eink screen wouldn't last long as I feel there has been more ghosting recently but that might just be me. Recently picked up a CAT S22 Flip and find it really hard to adapt to the T9 typing. Switching to the on-screen keyboard is faster but still difficult due to the small screen.
Thank you for this review!! I am looking for a smart phone with an e-ink screen, and this video was very helpful determining feasibility. Frankly, I still want access to apps beyond the basics, but I want the screen to be less addictive and kinder to the eye. I also have ADHD, which reduces reading comprehension on LCD screens. So an e-ink smartphone would really meet an accessibility need!! I am unfortunately located in the US and not a T-mobile user, but I will keep my eye out for this product and hope the market expands here!!
Thank you for reviewing this phone. I have been aware of the Hisense phones for quite some time and it is good to know that it can work in the United States. This may become my new phone though I hope you can get a Punkt MC02 when they come out as I am very curious about that phone as well.
This is super cool! I struggle a lot with the e-ink "flash", and I think I can personally get behind it for a minimal device such as the Light Phone 2, but not for a full smartphone. Great review as always!
@josebriones first off, LOVE your work, as always, from reddit dumbphones to your ebook. quick questions: 1. coming from south africa, how do i know if it will work 2. i hear that hisense has stopped making the eink phones, was there an issue or something, as i see these phones are from a few years ago already? 3.never bought from aliexpress, so it's a good link in the description? 4. Does it support RCS? EDIT: added point 4
1. The phone is unlocked. It has the following bands: GSM, UMTS, LTE, TD-SCDMA GSM frequencies: 850 900 1800 1900 Standard UMTS: 850 900 2100 Standard LTE LTE: 2100, 1800, 900, 850 TDD LTE: 2600, 2500, 2300, 1900 Ask your provider if they support those. 2. They just discontinued. There is nothing wrong with them, just not updated anymore. 3. Link should be good 4. Yes via the Google Messages app.
I think that somehow the e-inks should be the future, because not all screens need to cast a light from behind the screen for its use! Someone that might only need to call, read a few things and chat might be very happy with such a phone :D In fact, I myself want one, I'm so glad that such technology exists
Hi Jose, thank you so much for the video, very informative. Just a question: is it possible to change the refresh rate to something really slow, similar to a kindle or so? Also, does that reliably increase battery life? Thank you:)
There are 4 modes that you can switch for all the apps. Technically, you can use the reading mode and it will reduce the refresh rate to its lowest setting
I love e-ink so much. When I'm in the market for a new phone I'm definitely going for something like this. I no longer use my phone for media except for social media and messaging so I think switching to e-ink is worth the trade, especially since my Kindle broke.
I really enjoyed your video! I have a quick question-will banking apps work well on this device, especially since they require face recognition? I've heard some eLink phones don’t perform that well. Also, do we need to root the device, or will it be set up as shown in your video when we buy it? Thanks for your help!
I don't think this device will have the ability for face recognition. You can use banking apps without that function though. They are installable via the store.
Good intro.. Why aren't you showing some real-life applications we all use on our smartphones like Google browser, Google Maps, Google mail and calendar, Instagram / Facebook? This would give us a much better impression on how usable the smartphone would be (or not be)...
I want a phone with both screens. One side LED and the other e-ink. Can have the time. Calendar and weather on the e-ink screen. Watch videos on the other side.
HI @JoseBriones: THX for the review! Could you showcase or state if/how Google Maps Navigation works for you (e.g. while driving in a car, does it work and keep up okay, does it show the direction you drive in?)
Thank you for the review! If the LightPhone3 had a screen more like this in a smaller package that would be amazing right? I used the A5 Pro and loved it but the lack of Google Services was painful.
Just as a note because I don't want this to be taken as an insult. Your English is absolutely phenomenal. Definitely better than my Spanish even though I'm quite proud of my fluency. But I wanted to point out that you kept saying "it brings" like "viene con esto y aquello" but in English that sounds odd. It's clear what you mean but what we would say "it comes with" or "it includes." Thanks for the awesome review! I hope you don't mind the feedback.
this is a great idea in theory. However, it would be better to have a regular display that can switch into such a "mode" to save battery while idle etc.
Speaker and bluetooth work great. Camera sample is in this video. The camera just looks black and white when you use it, but the photos come in full color.
As a solely Light Phone user of 4 years this device will hopefully give them some great ideas! How is the security generally on this phone compared to the Light Phone?
Pro tip : if you like this phone.. and you're already using samsung device , just turn on bed time mode on that. it will make whole screen grey . so you will use it less. it will look similar to this.
I like the greyscale bedtime mode on my pixel too, but it's still beaming light directly into my eyes and brain. E-ink is reflected light which is going to cause less strain and is physically less addictive than projected light
But why did you review only antifeatures? The people buying this smartphone would buy it for reading books... But you didn't show even one of the reading apps!
Because there are plenty of people who have reviewed that function and compared it on different devices. Plus I wanted to get across the full functionality. I have a 1 month update coming soon so I’ll make sure to mention reading apps then.
not interested in buying, but cool video showing off the unique e-ink interaction. If I wanted/had a use for a 2nd/work phone, this would be it. Love my Kindle Paperwhite.
Is it true the rumours that this thing checks in with random Chinese IP address servers etc ? The privacy aspect of these phones is literally the only thing holding me back
If that is a concern for you, I highly recommend using NextDNS or another DNS provider. You can add this DNS to the phone and block any traffic to IP addresses that are foreign. I always set it up on all of my devices even those that are sold here in the US. This is a good guide that was posted on the eink subreddit for the A9, but applies to others as well: www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/178moyc/guide_how_to_block_folder_app_recommendations_and/?share_id=UKvpOvcKQklIB-_gWH6Wy&
i always wondered on these devices if the response is laggy/delayed or only the visual side? like if i do some fast precise tapping will it register fine and only display it delayed or is the usage also delayed laggy?
coz its e ink expected the charge to hold for a week. Some giant battery phone go beyond 2 days. E ink doing 3-4 is not that temopting. but a week then it can be a backup device too
So how long does the battery last? (Oh, you mention it at the very end). If I switch off the under screen light, will it switch on automatically during complete darkness?
Can some one do a comparison between an SEiphone and this. With full camera review so we can see the lack clear and if it can be actually useable or an alternative. I really lave the idea and looks like a solution for battery saver. Wish it was built as a battery saver on the back of my iphone.
We've gotten spoiled. If we went from B&W displays Nokia 3310 had to e-ink like this one, people would be excited. Now everyone is sneering at phones unable to display 1B colors at 120Hz in 4K.
Hi, does it have dark mode? If not … what I specifically would like to know if there is a browser that has a dark mode so I can use it at night in a dark room. I like reading forums like Reddit and other (Dutch) forums. Thank you very much, great review btw!
Thanx a lot, that is very helpfull! I’m doubting between the Boox Palma, the Hisense A9 and Hisense Touch. I’m don’t really need calling with the ‘readers’ although it’s not bad to have a backup phone. But what would you recommend? Looking at built, screen, lightning, how fast it acts, battery and thing like that. Like I said I want to use it for reading ebooks, lisening to audiobooks and browse a bit on internet (with eink bro ;-) Just can’t make my mind up 🤦🏼♀️ thanx again!
It’s not a bad deal if you think of it as an ebook reader with some of the smartphone features. However, it’s rather disappointing and expensive if you directly compare it with other smartphones. I might consider buying it if the screen was bigger and wifi only at around $300
