Hisense created a phone that features a detachable second screen.

      Smartphone manufacturers have been exploring various methods to enhance phone functionality without increasing their size. Hisense has adopted a distinctly unconventional strategy: introducing a second screen that is also removable.

      The Hisense A10 Ultra features a standard 6.13-inch color display alongside a detachable 4.96-inch E Ink screen that magnetically attaches to the back of the device. The E Ink panel is specifically designed for reading and other low-power activities, while the main display manages all other functions. The launch was reported by Notebookcheck on August 28.

      This concept is unique, but there is a logical rationale behind it. E Ink requires minimal power and remains highly readable in bright sunlight, potentially providing users with the ability to read books, documents, or other static content without the need to continuously activate a traditional OLED display.

      Two displays are offered, but only one needs to remain attached.

      The primary screen of the A10 Ultra is a 6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1300 panel with a resolution of 1,648 x 824 and 300 PPI. Although it is monochrome, it is suitable for daily tasks where battery efficiency and visibility in sunlight are more significant than color.

      A front light with adjustable color and brightness across 36 settings is available for evening reading. The removable 4.96-inch LCD on the back can present colors and fluid animations for tasks that require more than the E Ink screen can provide. Thanks to its magnetic attachment system, users can easily detach the secondary display when it is not in use.

      Hisense A10 Series Hisense

      The device is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, supporting wireless charging up to 15W and USB-C charging at 18W. Other features include a Qualcomm Q-6690 Dragonwing ARM processor, a 48-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel front camera, NFC, Wi-Fi, and an infrared transmitter. It operates on Android 16 and is compatible with Google Play.

      Hisense is also presenting a simpler A10 Pro model that lacks the detachable screen. The A10 Ultra is priced starting at $400 in China, while the 8GB/128GB A10 Pro is available for 2,799 yuan (approximately $420), and its 12GB/512GB variant costs 3,499 yuan (around $520). International release details are not confirmed yet.

      It’s an eccentric idea that effectively addresses battery conservation.

      The A10 Ultra’s charm lies less in simply having dual screens and more in assigning each display a specific role. Using the E Ink panel for reading could lower power usage, while the detachable color screen offers a more traditional experience when necessary.

      This makes the concept particularly appealing for avid readers who use their phones. Rather than carrying an e-reader along with a smartphone, the A10 Ultra seeks to merge both functions into a single device—allowing users to physically detach the additional screen when it is no longer needed.

      Hisense

      Whether this concept finds widespread acceptance remains to be seen. The detachable display introduces complexity in a market where manufacturers typically aim for thinner, more straightforward designs.

      At the moment, Hisense has created something far more intriguing than yet another standard Android phone. The A10 Ultra serves as an experiment in viewing the smartphone less as a single screen and more as a modular device, potentially paving the way for a new perspective on mobile displays.