December 1, 2025, 12:43 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
An iPhone case that does more than just protect against scratches: That’s exactly what Smartink I, a new Kickstarter project from Hong Kong, promises. The case features its own e-paper display on the back of the iPhone and is designed to display information without needing to turn on the main display.
The idea behind it: save power and have certain content readily available. The small touch display can show e-books, display shopping lists or tasks, and show tickets or QR codes. The connection runs via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and everything is controlled through a free app. According to the manufacturer, an integrated 300 mAh battery allows for up to ten hours of continuous reading time.
How Smartink I is Built
According to a report from “Golem,” Smartink I works from the iPhone 14 onward and uses an e-paper display—a screen technology that only consumes power when turning pages and is much more readable in bright light than traditional smartphone displays. This makes it particularly suitable for long reading sessions, as known from e-readers like the Kindle.
The case can indeed help conserve the iPhone battery—at least for static content. However, the e-paper display measures only 3.97 inches due to a large camera cutout, making it significantly smaller than a regular smartphone screen.
Through the app, content such as e-books or notes can be transferred to the e-paper. Additionally, the case can serve as a dictation device, and the app offers AI features like translations or image generation. However, the free version is limited: It offers 50 minutes of translation and up to ten AI images per month. More features are available through a subscription starting at about 1.10 euros.
Exciting, but More of a Niche Product
The idea isn’t new. There are already cases on Amazon that use a similar concept to display images or patterns. While Smartink I takes it a step further than a pure design function by offering an interactive display with more features, the basic idea is similar.
A major issue remains the size of the display: Trying to read an entire e-book on just under four inches is likely to become uncomfortable quickly. QR codes or short notes can also be easily managed through widgets on the smartphone.
Additionally, the price: Around 100 euros plus shipping and potential customs fees is not cheap for an accessory that primarily adds convenience features. The first deliveries are also not expected until February 2026, and whether there will be a version for Samsung or other Android models is unknown.
Smartink I is thus an interesting gadget for fans of e-paper technology—but for everyday use, the small secondary display is likely to offer real added value only in a few scenarios.