There is no doubt that E Ink is the dominant screen technology when it comes to e-readers and digital notepads, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few alternatives like RLCD. What is RLCD you ask? Well, RLCD stands for reflective LCD, and there are certainly a few companies flirting with the tech, like TCL and its Nextpaper devices.
Still, many don’t consider TCL’s implementation true RLCD since they are often backlit like traditional LCDs, where companies you probably haven’t heard of are using RLCD without any backlighting (similar to how E Ink isn’t backlit, but frontlit), and one such company, Eyemoo has just discounted its Epaper S1 tablet from $639 down to an incredibly low $189, which is 70% off, making for an absolutely killer deal.
Snag a 60Hz color RLCD Epaper tablet at a great price
Here at Guilty Gamer, we cover deals that stand out to us — usually products we’ve personally used — so we can absolutely vouch for their quality. But sometimes a deal is so good, it’s worth covering even when we haven’t gone hands-on with the hardware. The Eyemoo Epaper S1 is one such deal. I have not used this device and can’t speak to its quality from a personal level, but at 70% off, you bet your butt this is a deal that has me very tempted as a lover of unique screen technology.
Now, I’ve personally played with a few RLCD screens as a writer covering tech, from Panic’s Playdate to TCL’s NxtPaper, and not only is the reflectiveness a huge selling point, but so is the fast refresh rates that handily beat anything E Ink has to offer. But there are also caveats, like the need for frontlighting, which can dull colors, as well as shiny glass screens that work against the RLCD’s inherent reflectivity. In other words, RLCD is far from perfect in its varied uses, and since it’s a bit of a burgeoning technology, the small companies making these devices don’t often put much work into polish.
Case in point: reviews for the Eyemoo Epaper S1 all note that it’s more in line with a cheap Android tablet than a fancy one, from the software to the build quality. I would imagine this is why the Epaper S1 has had trouble selling at its $639 retail price, likely so much so that the manufacturer has slashed it down to $189 to clear stock. But this is a win for consumers, especially if you’re in the market for something a little different from the crowd of cheap Android tablets.
The Eyemoo Epaper S1 is compelling for a few reasons
First off, this 10-inch RLCD tablet features a frontlight, much like E Ink devices, which means there is a layer on top of the screen that illuminates the content from above, rather than below. This is how you get a true reflective LCD: by forgoing backlighting to ensure the reflectiveness can shine in all its glory, which is why some manufacturers include frontlighting. There are also competitors offering RLCD tablets that aren’t lit, front or back, and they still cost twice what the Epaper S1 is currently discounted down to, like the $400 Hannspree HannsNote 2. So if you require a lit screen, the Epaper S1 easily stands out.
It’s also worth noting that the Epaper S1 offers a 6000mAh battery and runs Android 12, ensuring you can use all your favorite apps without running out of juice in the middle of the day. Yes, it’s an older version of Android that will likely never see a version update, but that’s pretty much expected at the current discounted price point.
What to watch out for
I’m seeing reports on Reddit that some customers, whether from the website or the original Kickstarter, received units with dead pixels and dust under the screen. Other users have noted issues with the touchscreen’s responsiveness, as well as extreme glare from the glass screen that works against the reflectiveness of the RLCD. So heed this warning: such a significant discount might not be due solely to a lack of sales.
The Eyemoo Epaper S1 may be a gamble, but at $189, it could be one worth taking
So now that you have the full background on what the Eyemoo Epaper S1 has to offer — good and bad — you can make up your mind whether the 70% discount is worth jumping at. Personally, I’m pretty tempted, even after hearing about dust and dead pixels, because any other RLCD is much more pricey, which makes today’s deal one of the best ways to snag an RLCD tablet without spending twice as much. Some deals are just too good to ignore, and as a big ‘ol e-reader and E Ink nerd, you better believe my ears are perked as I reach for my wallet to dip my toe further into RLCD.
Eyemoo Epaper S1
