A phone case that goes perfectly with MKBHD’s Panels app subscription…
Phones have been getting smarter, faster, and flashier, but let’s be honest—most cases? They’ve been playing catch-up. E-ink displays on phone cases made their debut years ago, but they’ve remained stuck in a world of grayscale… until now. Reinkstone’s new 4-color e-ink cases aren’t just breaking that mold; they’re practically reinventing it. Forget the drab black-and-white screens of the past. These cases bring vibrant cyan, magenta, yellow, and black into the picture, transforming the back of your phone into something that feels almost alive. It’s the closest thing to having a foldable phone with a dual screen!
Designer: Reinkstone
It’s not just the color that grabs your attention—it’s the seamless integration with your phone. There’s no bulky battery strapped to the back, no charging cables to wrestle with. Reinkstone’s clever use of NFC technology takes care of that. Your phone powers the case wirelessly, transmitting both power and data through NFC. E-ink displays have negligible power consumption (they only need power while changing pixels), so the cases work just fine without needing a battery pack or a dedicated charging port. Change the display using a companion app, and just like that, the back of your phone updates in real-time. It feels effortless, the kind of feature that makes you wonder why it wasn’t done sooner. It’s not magic, but it’s pretty close.
About the e-ink screen – it’s roughly the size of a trading card, which might not sound groundbreaking, but in the world of phone cases, it’s a revelation. Gone are the days of dull, static covers. This little screen is the perfect canvas for photos, to-do lists, your boarding pass, or a QR code of your website or social media if you’re heavy into networking. And yes – while it might not replace your main screen for binge-watching or endless scrolling, it does offer a burst of practicality. Quick flashes of information on your phone’s backside? It’s a feature you didn’t know you needed until you have it.
Reinkstone didn’t stop at just a pretty screen – durability is baked into these cases as well. They’ve wrapped the e-ink display in explosion-proof tempered glass, ensuring your photos and lists stay protected even if your phone decides to take a tumble. The body of the case is built from Bayer TPU—a material known for being tough, flexible, and capable of surviving drops up to 1.8 meters. Inside, the tech gets even smarter, with a patented multi-layer flexible PCB keeping everything running smoothly without adding bulk. In a world where form often outpaces function, Reinkstone is balancing both like a pro.
And just when you think it might interfere with your day-to-day phone usage, Reinkstone’s already thought of it. Their custom-designed NFC antenna ensures you won’t run into any trouble when making contactless payments or scanning for public transport. You still get to tap and go without any hiccups. It’s almost as if the case isn’t even there—until, of course, you want it to be.
As for pricing, Reinkstone knows how to sweeten the deal. Normally, their cases sit around the $100 mark, but they’re currently on sale—$74.90 for the Reink Case C1 (iPhone 13 to 15 Pro Max) and $79.90 for the Reink Case Knight (Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra)… that’s just a few bucks more than the Panels+ annual subscription for MKBHD’s wallpaper app, and should be no big deal if you are a “wallpaper power-user” like Marques.
