Convert Phone Screen to E-Ink
Budget: £20 – £250 GBP
I use a small, no-frills Navi C1 handset every day, but the back-lit display leaves my eyes tired after long calls and SMS sessions. I want to swap that display for a grayscale or colour E Ink panel so the phone becomes as gentle on my eyes as an e-reader.
Key points you should know up front:
• Touch capability is not required; the phone’s physical keys will remain the input method.
• My main goal is eye-strain reduction, so contrast and legibility in normal indoor light matter more than refresh speed or animation support.
What I’ll need from you
• Selection (or custom sourcing) of an E Ink module that can fit the Navi C1’s housing or a clearly explained modification strategy if a new bezel or a 3-D printed frame is necessary.
• Design or adaptation of the driving electronics so the phone’s existing board can address the panel correctly—whether that means creating a small adapter PCB, re-flashing firmware, or inserting a dedicated E Ink controller.
• Power-use assessment to be sure the battery and charge circuit remain safe and functional after the swap.
• Step-by-step documentation (photos, schematics, wiring diagrams, any edited firmware files) so the solution can be re-produced or repaired later.
• A fully working prototype returned to me, packaged securely.
Acceptance criteria
• Phone powers up reliably and shows all default UI elements on the E Ink screen without ghosting or inverted colors.
• Physical buttons continue to navigate menus and dial numbers as before.
• Battery life is at least equal to—or preferably better than—the stock screen.
If you have prior experience retrofitting E Ink into small electronics, working with SPI displays, or creating custom display driver boards, I’m eager to see your approach and past work.
Key points you should know up front:
• Touch capability is not required; the phone’s physical keys will remain the input method.
• My main goal is eye-strain reduction, so contrast and legibility in normal indoor light matter more than refresh speed or animation support.
What I’ll need from you
• Selection (or custom sourcing) of an E Ink module that can fit the Navi C1’s housing or a clearly explained modification strategy if a new bezel or a 3-D printed frame is necessary.
• Design or adaptation of the driving electronics so the phone’s existing board can address the panel correctly—whether that means creating a small adapter PCB, re-flashing firmware, or inserting a dedicated E Ink controller.
• Power-use assessment to be sure the battery and charge circuit remain safe and functional after the swap.
• Step-by-step documentation (photos, schematics, wiring diagrams, any edited firmware files) so the solution can be re-produced or repaired later.
• A fully working prototype returned to me, packaged securely.
Acceptance criteria
• Phone powers up reliably and shows all default UI elements on the E Ink screen without ghosting or inverted colors.
• Physical buttons continue to navigate menus and dial numbers as before.
• Battery life is at least equal to—or preferably better than—the stock screen.
If you have prior experience retrofitting E Ink into small electronics, working with SPI displays, or creating custom display driver boards, I’m eager to see your approach and past work.