So Much Better than a DUMB Phone - Bigme HiBreak

[@KitBetts-Masters]

I'd love to hear what you all think of the phone and the concept in general: Check it out at the official Bigme Store: store.bigme.vip/products/bigme-hibreak-smartphone?ref=m70ez2cm&variant=43652835180723 And here is the inknote X as mentioned in the video: Bigme Inknote X: bigmestore.com/products/bigme-inknotex-10-3-kaleido-3-with-android-13-google-play?ref=m70ez2cm Bigme B751c: bigmestore.com/products/bigme-b751c?ref=m70ez2cm (These are affiliate links and so I receive a small commission from sales made through them, there is no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting the channel. :-) )

[@emsto690]

Thanks for this detailed video! Can’t wait for the one where you go through your apps selection and walk us through what you keep on there!

[@vishalkumar040393]

Ya got this phone a few weeks back, and I was surprised to see how far eink devices have come. I went for the color version because for navigation, color screens, I found it much better than grayscale. My only complaint with the device is the low dpi for the color version.

[@RobZakaria]

I have the B&W version. I think its better resolution and the matte screen gives an overall better experience

[@amandawilson2303]

This honestly seems like a good first phone for an adolescent that allows a parent to stay in contact but is distraction free and easier on the eyes

[@svartling]

Just use a phone in a sling bag or pocket and then use the onyx Boox Palma click connect on Bluetooth settings when you need internet. So easy and works great. No compromises.

[@johnh9031]

Except you’re always carrying 2 devices around

[@kanelupis]

Regarding your fold. It's just the screen protector. I had the same problem. Just Peel it off gently and you'll be good to go.

[@KitBetts-Masters]

@@kanelupis thanks for this, I have realised that now! Kind regards, no expensive replacement for me!

[@kainech]

I never set up a fingerprint reader on a device, but the lack of a headphone jack is usually a killer on almost anything, especially a phone.

[@rjsheffer2]

Got it. Set it up as a field noter and built it a case. So I guess I'm keeping it

[@KitBetts-Masters]

Wish you joy of it. What type of case did you make?

[@rjsheffer2]

@@KitBetts-Masters sorry just saw this.. it was the usual book type. I cut it from another case. I got a little silicone sleeve and tossed the case out yesterday. Oops. Dang I would have loved to showed it off was kind of pretty. It was like a little book cover. I do have one photo of it I don't know how to post.

[@KitBetts-Masters]

@@rjsheffer2 hehe, you could email it if you like. Clock through my about page to see my address. 🙂

[@Change-1820]

Thanks for this. I have really been considering one of these doe the road, but think B&W and maybe something like the Minimal Phone would be even better.

[@NeilLavitt]

I'm thinking twice about these kinds of devices. The issue for me is notification management and usage availability. A phone becomes a nuisance when it is too available. While at school, I leave my phone in my office and use my watch, which has cellular. It is only set to notify me about essential calls from the school office and my Director. Everything else goes to voicemail which I address when I return to the office.. I try to do that at home to model that to my teenage son, but sometimes it breaks down. We now have a new right to not being disturbed policy with school, so I'm looking at devices locked away for the evening approach. It is horrible how addicted we have become to these devices and the internet. I use an e-ink device-an old Kindle Oasis-just to read. If I had this on the phone, I would be too easily distracted again if I pulled it out to read. I think I'm more into purpose-use devices, though ReMarkable hasn't got me yet. ;) I'm thinking carefully about a Boox device to replace the Kindle.

[@macjim]

I’m currently awaiting delivery of the Light Phone 3 that I have on pre-order and should get it in January next year. It comes with an NFC chip for payments, a 50mp camera, a personal hotspot and a monochrome display that is not e-ink… the plan is to keep my iPhone for now to use as a camera, and an MP3 player, and for payments until I get the bank set up on the LP3. I’m really looking forward to getting it as I don’t like the way mobile phones are going with the AI stuff etc. but I also want it for distraction free use too… if I can find a pocketable camera and a separate MP3 player, then I might even sell off the iPhone too 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@andrewjazdzyk1215]

I just did the same, though I will say while they may eventually get around to payments/banking, I think it's a ways off yet

[@paulhorn24]

There are a lot of Banking Apps, that do not require Biometric identification, but use a Password or Passphrase.

[@lorenzogiancristofaro9721]

Do you know if Barclays and Revolut work on it?

[@paulhorn24]

@KitBetts-Masters This a questions for you rather than for me.

[@DonBrupa]

NatWest, Monzo and Monese are working.

[@tip00former1]

Any "normal" bank requires nfc

[@paulhorn24]

@@tip00former1 NFC is not an authentication feature. NFC is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 centimetres (1.6 in) or less.

[@rjsheffer2]

Thanks for the tip about open camera it does work much better on these devices than the native camera app.

[@nightshade427]

I put a matte screen protectors on inside and outside screens of my fold 6 and it has transformed the device, it's soooo much more usable now, especially paired with its high nit screen when outside, it's amazing, kindle is awesome in this setup, without sacfricing things like youtube and gaming

[@KitBetts-Masters]

Yeah, I would like to try this. Which brand did you buy?

[@nightshade427]

diacube on amazon

[@nightshade427]

@@KitBetts-Masters diacube

[@qfnkdv4771]

check Mothca, their matte GLASS screen protector is better than most

[@annvoy7698]

I wouldn't do any security-relevant tasks like banking on a device that doesn't have the latest Android version on it any way, so a Bigme phone wouldn't need any biometrics for me either. However, being an international traveller I'd need my phone to be my personal organizer, which is why an e-ink phone would probably never be able to replace my LED Android phone. I'd rather carry my 7.8" Boox Nova Air with me for reading and importantly note-taking than a Palma or Bigme phone. Kit, have you had screen issues previously on Fold devices? Do they really just last about a couple of years? I'd love a Fold but apart from the price, battery life and lesser camera specs the screen issues have been an additional worry for me, too.

[@rjsheffer2]

It has GPS it has a camera If you can pair it with a touch screen pressure sensitive pen... What would be not to like..would be the perfect pocket device for field data collection. It would replace the S6c because of the GPS.

[@r21747]

It is late 2024 and they come out with a phone running android 11 and without biometrics...

[@imacmill]

And NO SPEAKERS! They've got to be joking!

[@BrianHartman]

It looks like it might be a good e-reader, or maybe as a music player. I don't think it makes sense to use as a phone, though. It's missing too much. The lack of biometrics and NFC is a pretty big deal. If the battery could last for weeks like a Kindle, I think I could overlook the shortcomings -- particularly because it's so much cheaper than your average smartphone. I could even forgive the lack of NFC, since I have a watch I can make payments with at registers and such. But without the outrageous battery life of a dedicated e-reader, the only advantage I see here is the screen being easier on the eyes. And I just don't think that's worth it for all you give up. And I think this leads to my problem with "minimalist" e-ink smartphones like this in general: They either strip back the features so you *can't* use them for smartphone things, or they make it cumbersome to do smartphone things so that you don't *want* to use them as much. I understand the desire to not be distracted by one's phone. But you can solve that by turning off notifications and silencing your phone. The idea that you'd need a whole different device just to do that is strange to me.

[@KitBetts-Masters]

Yeah, I agree, I think it has to fit. I'm not totally giving up on the fold. But that is becoming more of a portable tablet for all of those things. But for me the biggest advantage of it being an eye friendly e-reader in your pocket all of the time, is enough and makes it totally worthwhile. And the screen is great outside in the full sun of course. The digital detox thing is an added bonus really, and something that I have been wanting for some time. I agree though, it would be killer if it had a week long battery life. But for me right now I'm loving having just an ereader and a phone on my person most of the time.

[@BrianHartman]

@@KitBetts-Masters Yeah, a pocketable e-reader, it totally makes sense.

[@Ronzo777]

Any camera and video sample shots??

[@porvoonosho]

Thank you! I think I'll go with the Android 14 version... Let's hope it has a fingerprint reader.

[@dr.riquelme4783]

Hi, thanks for the initial review, do you think it's worth waiting for the Palm from BOOX with sim card? I have a BOOX 10.3 and it would be great to have some functional ecosystem

[@ratatator12]

Any sign if coming any time soon? Right now they seem focusing on the go line adding more screens than the phone version of the palma but I hope I am wrong...

[@aabf500]

Can you install what’s up on it ?

[@dc-k4868]

What's the battery life like in real world use?

[@ABCDefpaco]

I bought this phone. In my opinion it is unusable. The response time to pressing (lack of processing power rather than it being e-ink) renders it essentially useless for whatsapp/emails etc. If you hope to be able to replace your phone with this I would thing again.

[@KitBetts-Masters]

I use it all the time for WhatsApp and email, however I do agree it is not as good as doing those on the big phone. But for me, the idea is that I take this thing so that I spend less time on those things when I am out.

[@NeilLavitt]

Perhaps that is a feature. Forced redundancy of usage.

[@ABCDefpaco]

@@NeilLavitt I can understand those simply trying to cut phone usage might feel that way. In my case Im trying to cut redundant screen time. For the things I need the phone for I need it to be fast and responsive. This is the absolute opposite. By way of example it behaves like an £80 samsung or any other basic phone thats a tenth of the price of a flagship.

[@noobahoi]

Well, nice, but it looks really glare. I don't like that in an e-ink device.

[@niroibba]

If it is under 200 dollars then I would call this an alternative to dumbphones You don't get addicted to social media and also get to use all calling and messaging apps and wifi.

[@niroibba]

Just checked out and it's 250 dollars, is it a good deal? Idk.

[@ZAWARUD00]

Only 1 SIM = no for me

[@fellowcitizen]

Pygmy Biggles?

[@martian9999]

in my view, a phone should be a tool, and not a toy / entertainment device. You take it out of the toolbox, use it, and put it back in. So I don't need a great colorful screen and super animations. But I do need NFC and a fingerprint reader. So, this one is a no go.

[@yldoornik]

Maybe bette for the eyes, but you still get radio frequency poisoned, while thinking it's healthier. Anyone measured RF and ELF on this device ?

[@RadAlzyoud]

Being an Apple user, I will only buy a "fold" phone once it's released by them. I trust the compromises would be less than the other earlier phones.

[@dyvel]

So you can make money if you convince people to buy the phone?

[@icipher12]

It's kinda odd how you talk about this phone as less distracting as if it's the devices inherent quality and not the result of your self-imposed limitation. I get that you're trying to look at the positives, but that just makes no sense to me.

[@Bruceneuman]

Minimalist describes not being able to do much. Why replace one device with another that does less and not as well?

[@TheAdamie]

If you don’t get it, then it’s not for you

[@wallisnz]

You wouldn't call a person living in poverty a minimalist because they're not able to do much. I think minimalism is a choice, and you can do it on whatever device you please.

[@HealthyLiv1ng]

Sadly after watching Voja's video on this company kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV67qIeBptF6baM I can no longer trust that you're videos are as honest and that you won't be willing to flex for what the eInk company is requesting! 🧐🤔🤨

[@KitBetts-Masters]

Yes, I watched this. See my comments on the video. I am bemused because my interaction with them is totally different to Voja's. Cheers, this certainly isn't a sponsored video. I'll have more to say about the phone soon.