Hisense A9 Pro E-Ink Android Smartphone

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

An e‑ink Android smartphone from Hisense is drawing interest as a way to reduce eye strain and curb screen addiction while still handling core tasks like calls, messaging, maps and light app use. Commenters weigh trade-offs: higher price than midrange phones, slower refresh and limited multimedia, Android 11 with uncertain update prospects, spotty support for US cellular bands, and potential Chinese bloatware or tracking. Several users report that real-world battery life is around three to four days—better than typical smartphones but far from e‑readers—and note that e‑ink hardware remains a niche, relatively expensive technology with few competitors.

Device & OS Characteristics

  • Hisense A9 (marketed here as “A9 Pro”) is a true phone: 4G/LTE, Android 11, E‑Ink display, and a variant aimed at audio with a strong DAC.
  • Ink OS skin described as relatively clean and simple compared to previous Hisense devices, but past models (e.g., HiReader Pro) reportedly shipped with heavy bloat contacting many Chinese IPs.
  • Android 11 is seen as dated; users note many E‑Ink devices are stuck there due to driver blobs, and worry about long‑term security/updates.

Network Support & Use in the US

  • Works on T‑Mobile/MVNOs like Mint in NYC with “pretty good” coverage, but specs show:
    • Ten LTE bands, no UMTS (3G), no 5G, no extended‑range LTE bands used in rural US.
    • Several commenters warn coverage will be poor outside urban areas and future‑proofing is weak.

Battery Life & Performance

  • Typical reports are ~3–4 days per charge with “normal” smartphone use.
  • A5 predecessor can reach up to a week with aggressive app “freezing” and a super‑saving mode limiting apps/notifications.
  • Thread stresses that E‑Ink phones don’t match e‑readers’ weeks‑long endurance because of modem, Android background tasks, Wi‑Fi, and frequent UI updates.

Experience, Ergonomics & Addiction

  • E‑Ink is praised as far more comfortable for reading and usable outdoors in bright sun.
  • Some users find the phone noticeably less addictive: low refresh and B/W discourage video binging, though YouTube remains technically watchable.
  • Typing is acceptable but not as responsive as modern LCD/OLED phones.

Apps & Features

  • Email, Slack‑like tools, navigation apps, Signal/WhatsApp, etc. reportedly work, though aggressive power management can delay notifications.
  • Android Auto support is questioned but unconfirmed.
  • GPS/NFC presence is not clearly documented in the thread (unclear).

Price, Legitimacy & Alternatives

  • Official Chinese pricing (via JD.com) is roughly ~$270, while hisenseeink.com lists ~$480.
  • One commenter flags hisenseeink.com as a non‑Hisense site with no contact info and a big markup, advising caution.
  • Debate over value: some call $500 absurd for a limited‑band, non‑5G phone; others argue niche E‑Ink hardware justifies a premium.
  • Comparisons made to Boox, Meebook, Moaan Inkpalm, Light Phone, and prior Hisense models, with mixed views on GPL compliance (Boox) and spyware concerns (Hisense).