You probably haven't heard of the HannsNote 2 before, but once you read about it, you won't be able to stop thinking about it.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve tested a handful of devices with paper-like screens. All offer, more or less, the same set of benefits. A panel that feels like paper to the touch, cuts down on blue light exposure, and — if possible —even eschews the backlight in favor of a screen that reflects light instead of emitting it.
Related For context, the iPhone 16 also serves a screen that reaches a 60Hz refresh rate figure, which means the HannSpree EcoVision Panel is nearly as smooth as the one on Apple’s latest smartphone. What we have for testing here is the HannsNote 2, an Android device that is a glorified one-of-a-kind paper-like reading slate.
Theoretically, this approach promises much lower power consumption. Plus, it rids the screen of blue light emission, and the reflective approach is easier on the eyes as well since that’s technically how we see the rest of the world around us. The slate itself is just 4.9mm across and weighs only 350 grams. The build quality is solid, and thanks to the wraparound leather finish on the rear shell and one of the vertical edges, the HannsNote 2 feels more like a vintage leather notebook. You get the usual set of power and volume buttons and a few holes drilled on the rounded edge for audio output.
Sitting in a coffee shop, I couldn’t avoid those white reflection patches from the lights around me. Moreover, the brighter it is, the more jarring it looks on the HannsNote 2’s screen. If you’re reading something with a dark background or watching videos, the ambient glare proves to be quite a nuisance.
I haven’t encountered any make-or-break hurdles integrating it into my workflow. From reading on the train to using it as a secondary reference screen for keeping an eye on social feeds and workplace chats, the HannsNote 2 has proved to be a helpful addition. There are enough pixels for an effortless reading session or picking up decor ideas from Pinterest. Just don’t push it at tasks where you deal with many colors.
What’s not so good about it This is where you pay the innovation tax. The EcoVision Paper Display ends up sucking a lot more power than an average reflective or backlit e-ink screen, all because of that high refresh rate panel. On the flip side, it’s a small battery and fills up quickly. On a few occasions, I simply reverse-charged it with my phone. Yes, you might not always carry a USB-C cable, and there is no reverse wireless charging convenience available here, so there’s that.
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