Color E-Ink Alternative? HannsNote 2 RLCD Tablet REVIEW

What do you think, is this E-Paper or not? Because that’s a question that came up a couple of times after I posted the first video of this reflective LCD tablet – the Hannsnote 2.

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🔗 LINKS

🎬 CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:16 E-Ink vs. E-Paper
02:06 HannsNote 2 Outdoors
05:45 HannsNote 2 Indoors
07:20 USI 2.0 Stylus Support
08:21 CPU & Specs
09:19 Android 13
09:42 Build Quality
10:27 Battery Life
11:56 Conclusion

🖖WHO AM I
I'm Chalid, and I've been a fan of e-ink technology for a very long time. I've been reviewing e-ink devices since 2010. After more than 100 different e-reader tests for my German website, this channel is dedicated to sharing my experiences with the latest e-readers, other e-paper devices, and sometimes other tech in English as well.

🔗 DISCLAIMER/DISCLOSURE
The tips, tricks and experiences shared are for guidance only; any actions taken based on these are solely at your own risk. Some links in the description contain affiliate links, which means that if you buy something through these links, I will receive a small commission on a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you so much for supporting the channel.

🔖 TAGS
Color E-Paper, Color E-Ink, Hannsnote, Hannspree, RLCD, Reflective LCD, No Bluelight, No Backlight

#epaper #rlcd #hannsnote

[mojojojo]

Plus, in the case of LCD and OLED screens, it's really a bummer from an engineering perspective that in direct sunlight, when you are bathing in free energy in the form of photons that can reflect on any surface, you need to EXPEND a lot of energy to counter that effect (using a sizeably proportion of your battery life), instead of just using it.

[JochenSander-ry]

Thank you for this objective in-depth review, and I agree with most of your statements. Seems that Hannspree already heard your (our) prayers for a version with frontlight and a larger battery. At IFA 2024 they unveiled a new 10" ereader (as well as a 7.8" and a HANNSNOTE 2 with 6000 mAh battery). The new 10" reader has a 50-nits frontlight and a 4000 mAh battery in addition to the impressive HN2 specs. The version of this new device is SN10HD1B and it should hit the market in "late2024/early2025". So finally yes, the rLCD technology could be a game changer.

[rokko_fable]

This takes me back to when I had a Gameboy Advance, and I would always sit by the window to get the right lighting.
Now, I'm looking for an e-ink tablet specifically.

[ricarmig]

This approach is BY FAR the best since many years! I hope they release a version with front light and an improved hardware (at least mid range) and I’ll let Boox in peace (very weak UI, very little updates, many bugs that are not fixed, etc).

I’ll keep following this tech and models!

[generalSarbina]

This honestly looks pretty great. I don’t really need a tablet, so if a manufacturer ever created a smartphone that utilized this tech with these specs with an additional frontlight and sim card support, I would very much consider switching.

[santanu-io]

Boox just need to solve the battery problem of Note Air 3C, and we don't need to look for other alternatives ✌🏽

[ChAr]

Probably the coolest YouTube channel I've seen in a while. Subbed! As an S22U user who is constantly doomscrolling, I'm excited to see where e-Ink goes

[wizzle-]

Thanks for the look and the LCARS link! Cheers

[PokePiku]

The pen input lag is really disappointing! I was really hoping this is where this device would shine since e-ink tablets are typically only optimised for its own proprietary apps. The next generation of Hannspree tablets use MediaTek MT8781/8786 instead. In theory these should be better, so I wonder if that'd have noticeable differences.

[ETophales]

Thanks for the review. I waited for it impatiently, and finally it's here. :)

I think that a larger battery will mean more weight. I think that more optimisation to reduce standby power is the most important update this tablet could have.

[Tomyb]

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it had some form of light and a beefy processor with a good stylus. I've been yearning for a proper rlcd ereader for literally years now.

I think it could be a proper eink competitor insofar as it becomes a very usable tablet for _reading._ i just want a tablet that is both comfortable to use for reading (especially in very bright environments) and that won't waste a lot of battery. It's not gonna be an epaper competitor but would compete with eink as an ereader.

[bellissimo]

Honestly, coming from a long-time boox lover, it looks quite good in your video. One question I have is - what is the battery life? I assume this LCD will still consume a lot more power than the e-ink displays? Still, it's a great outdoor tablet I guess.

[fabzed]

Thanks for the review!
The device seems very interesting but the battery life is concerning, especially with the figures announced by the vendor itself.
I know it's not reducing the blue light as much (but 60% reduction, if confirmed, is still better for the eyes than nothing) but how would you compare to the TCL nxtpaper things? Seems the gen 3 is on its way and I would really like to get your thoughts on this nxtpaper 14 (or even the nxtpaper 11 that is still with the gen 2).

[aymenbattikh]

Hello @Shalid - thank you for sharing your experiences with these e-tablets. However, I am still confused about which one is best for taking notes (with colors) indoor. I want to get rid of paper but like to keep the look and feel of writing on paper. Which dévide do you recommend, possibly without a subscription (like the reMarkable series)? TIA for your advice 😊

[Argelius]

I wonder if a front light, like those in e-Ink devices would work here.

[NJgateway]

This looks really good. I wonder why it's not available in the United States?

[steverolfeca]

Not competitive indoors, but still an interesting alternative for video, especially outdoors. I wonder how RLCD will fare in future as the technology matures?

[mojojojo]

After the first iPad came out, I've tested a few Android tablets as well (just to see if they were better for my use cases), and the standby battery drain was the main drawback, and the main reason why I am exclusively using iPads (as tablets, not as e-ink devices, obviously) nowadays. It's not a biggie with phones that you use and charge every day, but with tablets that's a different story. I have tablets that I use as remote controls, for example, and a remote that is always depleted every time you reach for it is pretty useless. With e-ink devices I am even less lenient. If I put down an e-book and want to continue reading it a month later, I fully expect to be able to do so without having to recharge my device. The HannsNote misses all the marks with me.

[ScheibstaAt]

Any idea, where i find a case for the device?

[JustIn-lziv]

Why do all your video titles end in a question mark? Is it an experiment? Maybe your attempt at proving some engagement baiting youtuber cliché? Do the question marks annoy you yet?