I want this E Ink secondary display concept more than any RGB light gimmick

Nothing generates more excitement than an eye-catching concept. From cars to shoes, the designers' ideas are often more exciting than the reality.

However, while the sad truth about concept products is that they are too impractical to exist, now and then, one emerges that suggests there is potential here.

Few devices have sparked more interest in recent years than Nothing's Phone 1. Its Glyph Lights were incredible, but its successor was less warmly received.

The Glyph Matrix seemed more fun than functional, but one user had an idea to improve it.

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Posts By  Jon Gilbert

Why the Glyph Matrix failed

When form sacrifices function

The Glyph Matrix is not a new idea. Secondary displays are a fundamental feature of flip phones, and even budget devices have adopted the technology.

Nothing's idea was to give that secondary display character. The micro-LED display fits neatly into the phone's design; it's a shame it isn't very useful.

I've tried using it, but it quickly turns into a gimmick I show my friends rather than something I turn to every day.

Here, minimalism works against function. It's too limited and silly to work for us like Glyph Lights. But there's still potential.

This E Ink concept makes the Glyph Matrix usable

Readable information

Reddit user Taweros came up with a simple idea to fix the Glyph Matrix: replace the LED Glyph Matrix with an E Ink display.

The concept image Taweros produced shows exactly what this display would look like, along with a plentiful list of suggested uses. But what is most important is the underlying technology.

E-paper displays have advanced significantly since their introduction decades ago, and few devices exemplify the technology's strengths more than the new Pebble watches I tested at CES 2026.

Pebble's watches have always used e-paper displays, but the upcoming Pebble Round 2 is nearly indistinguishable from an LED-equipped smartwatch.

The Pebble Round 2's display shows complex colors and shapes with none of the fading that used to be so distinctive of e-paper displays.

The nature of an e-paper display means longer battery life for the device, an always-on display that barely draws power, and fantastic visibility in sunlight.

It's fantastic technology, so why don't we see more of it?

An E Ink secondary display is exactly what we need

Relevant information at a glance without sacrificing battery life

I love the idea of a secondary display that shows me important information without the distractions of my main screen.

Current flip phones have transformed previously tiny screens into full-fledged displays. Great for functionality, bad if you keep getting distracted by fancy colors.

I've extensively used E Ink devices, from dedicated phones to elaborate e-readers. I turned an e-reader into an always-on bedside clock, and my E Ink phone helped cure my doomscrolling addiction.

I'm familiar with what the technology can do, so I know the idea of an E Ink secondary display would work.

The always-on display on my Pixel phone is handy, but it doesn't do much. I also prefer to keep my phone face down to avoid distractions.

Nothing phones with the Glyph Matrix display also include a dedicated button to switch between panels. This would fit neatly with the E Ink concept.

Taweros' idea isn't new. Another member of the Nothing community produced a similar idea in 2024, although this concept was much less ambitious.

There's plenty of room for innovation here, and it doesn't have to come from Nothing.

Hardware is becoming exciting again, but I'm wary

An intriguing feature of the upcoming Pixel 11 is Pixel Glow.

While we don't know the details yet, leaks suggest that the device will sport some arrangement of RGB lights that can show useful information (like when you receive a notification) to pointless alerts (like when Gemini is listening).

Nevertheless, it's the first Pixel leak in years that has made my eyebrows move ever so slightly toward the sky.

But what about an E Ink display instead! Forget about lights that tease you with information; let's have cold, hard information.

Sure, an E Ink display that shows the time is not as sexy as flashing RGB lights, but sometimes utility can be more intriguing than even the most brain-melting of color combinations.

I've never managed to set up notification lights in a way that works for me, which is why I never picked up the original Nothing phone.

And what about flip phones? Do we really need a tiny version of the phone screen on the Z Flip or Razr's cover display? No! We need the subtle intrigue of an E Ink display.

It will boost battery life, be more readable in bright summer, and it has that natural tone that's so much nicer to look at than the harsh tones of an OLED screen.

When I switch to my E Ink phone, I immediately notice the benefits, so why can't I try it on my Pixel?

E Ink is the practical upgrade our devices need

While the concept of an E Ink phone still needs some work, I think there is already potential for big manufacturers to adopt the technology as a secondary display.

Nothing has the framework to support the idea, but Google could certainly turn that awkward space above the camera bar into a nifty E Ink display.

For now, though, I'll satisfy myself with Pebble's devices. At least that's one manufacturer who knows how to make fun ideas practical.