It has become fashionable for companies that launch new smartphones not to give importance only to the device itself, but also to its accessories, covers. With the launch of the Huawei P8, the company introduced a new InkCase case, with an e-ink display, designed to expand its uses without penalizing the battery and providing useful functions in everyday life.
Advanced Cases
Apple's smart cases were the first, but after that we have seen many others, such as Samsung smart covers that allowed us to see the time, the HTC perforated case that could also be used to give us information without removing the case, and the LG version that instead of a standard window, had a circular window that gave us the opportunity to give it a touch of originality. Well, Huawei has also decided this year to launch a case with its flagship. But far from being something merely visual or with irrelevant options, it has launched a case with a electronic ink screen.
Electronic ink stands out for its comfort for reading text for long periods, its excellent visibility in bright light, and its minimal power consumption when the image remains static. On a phone, where much of what we see is text (messages, notifications, forums, or headlines), having a second e-ink display makes particular sense.
Compared to classic window cases, an e-ink display allows consult information without reflections, even in direct sunlight, and extends the smartphone's main battery life by reducing the number of times the LCD/OLED screen is viewed. Furthermore, since it only refreshes when the content changes, the energy impact is very low.
InkCase
It's called InkCase and is manufactured by Oaxis. Obviously, all the attention is taken by its e-ink display, with a 800 x 480 pixel resolution. In addition, it is a display with an anti-reflective treatment, making it perfect for use even with sunlight shining directly on the smartphone casing. Keep in mind that the main functions of this screen are to read e-books, check the time, read news, or general information that might be of interest to us, such as the weather, for example. The screen is 4,3 inches, and we can carry it perfectly integrated into the Huawei P8, as it even leaves the camera free to capture photos. It is made of aluminum, so the premium look is not lost that the Huawei P8 has. The case is expected to be released next month and will be available in limited quantities. The price is still unknown, but it's the perfect accessory for a smartphone of the Huawei P8's caliber.
Beyond aesthetics, the InkCase family is characterized by adding only about 5 mm of thickness and near 45 grams, figures contained for what it provides. In real use, its e-ink panel can remain operational for days and, in continuous reading scenarios, around 19 hours with the second screen on without interruption.
The connection to the phone is made through Bluetooth and the case is managed with its dedicated app to send content to the screen (ebooks, notes, weather widgets, and more). Some e-ink solutions on the market have also incorporated NFC transmission and snap frames, so the smart case ecosystem has grown in terms of options and pairing methods. In any case, e-ink's key advantage remains: When the image does not change, it does not consume energy.
What is the purpose of having a second screen? Among its most valued uses are: prolonged reading of e-books No eye strain; maps or outdoor training data; quick notifications and messages without turning on the main screen; and basic phone controls like manage calls or music through InkCase's simplified interface. Compared to phones with integrated dual screens, this option offers the flexibility of being a multi-function option.
In availability and price, the P8 version initially moved in limited runsOver time, promotions appeared in online stores that placed the Huawei P8 case at around € 70 and, for iPhone models of the same family, on € 95, approximately 50% below the initial launch prices. If you're interested, it's worth keeping an eye on prices of cases and covers, as they tend to fluctuate depending on stock and market.
As a reference to the evolution of this technology, the first crowdfunded InkCases reached their funding goal quickly, exceeding the $100.000 and reaching above the $150.000 in early stages; there were contributions with rewards from $89 and advertised RRPs close to $139These milestones explain why, over time, versions compatible with different phones have appeared.
Those looking to read without distractions, check out essential information in the sun, and extend their phone's battery life will find a unique offering in the InkCase for the Huawei P8: a second screen always ready that adds real utility without sacrificing design or protection.
