The integration of electronic devices into our daily lives continues to advance, and with it grows interest in alternatives that take care of the visual health and offer new user experiences. In this context, the y tablets with e-ink displays are gaining relevance, presenting themselves not only as a technological whim, but as the best solution in areas such as digital reading or distraction-free work.
Is it really worth investing in a device with e-ink? Below you'll find a comprehensive guide that breaks down everything you need to know about y tablets equipped with this technology: what e-ink is, its advantages and disadvantages compared to other options, usage scenarios, featured models, and their most recent developments. This way, you can assess whether it's exactly what you need or if there are more suitable alternatives for you.
What are e-ink displays and what devices are they used on?
The e-ink displays (frequently called e-ink) use electrically charged microparticles to form the images. Therefore, unlike LCD or AMOLED panels, they do not emit light directly, but rather take advantage of ambient light, achieving a paper-like readability and greatly reducing eye fatigue.
For years, its natural habitat was that of the e-book readers like Kindle or Kobo. Now, however, they are extending to other devices such as tablets, mobile phones, monitors, smart watches, music players and even laptopsIn fact, brands such as Boox, Hisense, TCL, reMarkable, Lenovo, and even Xiaomi have launched various models in which e-ink stands out for its low consumption and versatility.
Among smartphones, the following have gained strength: Hisense A9 (with 6,1-inch monochrome display), and the TCL NXTPAPER 5G, which offer the innovative dual-screen system to switch between LCD and e-ink modes. On tablets, Boox Note Air3 C, Lenovo Smart Papers y reMarkable 2 and Paper Pro They lead the sector. In addition, Onyx Boox offers Android models with great app compatibility.
Advantages of mobile phones and tablets with e-ink screens
- Minimized eye strain: The biggest attraction is its ability to reduce eye strain even during long reading sessions, since they do not emit blue light nor do they generate the flickering typical of traditional screens.
- Outstanding autonomy: Because they only consume energy when changing the image, a tablet or mobile phone with electronic ink It can operate for days (even weeks) on a single charge, compared to the few hours of autonomy of conventional models.
- Readability in any environment: These screens they do not suffer reflections under the sun and are perfectly readable outdoors, something highly valued by travelers, students and professionals who work outside the office.
- Digital Paper Experience: La reading and writing sensation It resembles real paper, especially on stylus-enabled tablets like the reMarkable or Lenovo Smart Paper, enhancing creativity and handwritten note-taking.
- Versatility with Android: Models like Boox Note Air3 C or Hisense A9 allow you to install googleplay apps, expanding the uses beyond simple reading to enjoy educational, organization, and document editing apps.
- No distractions: The absence of constant animations or notifications encourages concentration in tasks such as reading, writing or studying.
Limitations and disadvantages compared to traditional mobile phones and tablets
- Highest price: La e-ink technology It is still more expensive than traditional panels, especially in larger models or those with advanced features such as handwriting recognition.
- Colors still limited: Although color e-ink displays already exist (such as the Kaleido Plus from Boox), the saturation and brightness They do not match those of LCD or OLED and the color palette is still smaller (some models only support up to 9 mixable basic colors).
- refresh rate: La refresh rate It's low, so using videos, games, or web browsing with animations isn't satisfactory. The devices are geared toward reading, note-taking, or apps without fast transitions.
- App Compatibility and Support: Some models, such as the Lenovo Smart Paper or reMarkable, They do not allow the installation of third-party apps or have their own operating systems, which can be a limitation for certain users.
- Resolution and color detail: Even the new color models display dull tones, unsuitable for viewing photos or demanding multimedia content.
- Limited Accessories: Changes in screen size (e.g., the reMarkable Paper Pro, which is 11,8 inches) make older accessories incompatible, requiring the purchase of new pens or cases.
Devices with electronic ink They do not intend to compete directly with conventional tablets or smartphones, but rather cover very specific niches where they excel: intensive reading, studying, note-taking, distraction-free digital drawing, and long work sessions outside the office.
Ideal usage scenarios for mobile phones and tablets with e-ink
- Professional reading: professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers and editors They use this type of device to review extensive documentation, highlight PDFs or consult bibliographies without eye strain.
- Academic work and study: Students of all ages take advantage of the taking notes by hand, digital organization by folder, and the ability to convert handwriting to text. Devices like the reMarkable or Boox Note Air3 C allow you to use a stylus, work with educational apps, or sync notes to the cloud.
- Recreational reading without fatigue: From novels to comics and magazines (especially in color versions), the experience is comparable to a physical book but much more portable and with immediate access to thousands of titles.
- Travel and transportation: La battery life weeks and their low weight make them the ideal companion for flights, long journeys or outdoor getaways, allowing you to read or work anywhere.
- Drawing, sketches and creativity: Artists, architects or designers use e-ink tablets with stylus to draw, express ideas and make corrections in plane without digital distractions or multimedia interference.
- Digital synchronization and organization: Many models allow storage thousands of notes and documents, convert manuscripts to digital text and access cloud services for sharing or collaborative editing.
- Outdoor use: La absence of reflexes and perfect viewing in full daylight make these devices the best option for those who read in parks, on beaches, or during outdoor activities.
Innovative models and devices: what options are available on the market?
- Smartphones with electronic ink:
- Hisense A9: 6,1-inch monochrome display, 300 ppi, Android, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a 4.000mAh battery. It can be used as a phone and e-book reader, although it lacks a powerful camera and the multimedia experience is limited. To expand your possibilities, you can also consult our guide on Kindle formats.
- TCL NXTPAPER: Switch between a traditional display and e-ink by pressing a button on the side. It includes a digital library, and although its color is limited, it stands out for its uniqueness. The NXTPAPER line is constantly evolving with new models.
- Tablets with electronic ink:
- Boox Note Air3 C: Color display with 4.096 colors, Android, Google Play apps, ideal for taking notes, drawing, working with PDFs, and cloud syncing. You can find more information in our review. Boox Palma 2.
- Lenovo Smart Paper: 10,3" black and white display, proprietary system, included stylus for taking notes and sketches, and storage of up to 50.000 pages. Converts handwritten text but does not support third-party apps.
- reMarkable 2 and Paper Pro: They offer writing and drawing with great realism, pressure detection, handwriting recognition, and external keyboard connection in the Pro version. Recent versions include a limited color display, front light, and updated accessories.
- Monitors, laptops and other devices:
- Boox Mira/Mira Pro: E-ink monitors up to 25,3” for use as a secondary display for computers or even mobile phones.
- Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist: Laptop with dual screen: traditional OLED and e-ink, ideal for taking notes and reducing energy consumption.
- Wearables and gadgets: Smartwatches like the TicWatch Pro switch between OLED and monochrome displays to save battery life; thermostats and IoT devices also employ e-ink panels to display essential information while saving energy.
La electronic ink It goes far beyond e-book readers: it has reached mobile phones, tablets, monitors, watches, and even smart home accessories. Although its evolution is still slow and its price is not yet competitive for mass consumption, it is consolidating as the best option for intensive readers, professionals, and creatives looking for a distraction-free digital environment, portable and with almost unlimited autonomyIf you're into productivity or reading for hours, you'll likely find these devices to be the perfect ally for your daily life.