Your phone screen burns your eyes during marathon reading sessions, yet switching to a dedicated e-reader means carrying another device. The Reetle SmartInk I promises to solve this by embedding a 3.97-inch E Ink touchscreen on the back of a protective iPhone case, creating what amounts to a Kindle glued to your phone’s spine.
This crowdfunded accessory targets productivity-focused iPhone users who want eye-friendly reading and AI transcription without the device juggling act.
The E Ink panel delivers 480×800 resolution with tempered glass protection, designed for outdoor readability that puts OLED displays to shame. A dedicated record button captures audio for AI-powered transcription in 100+ languages, while the always-visible screen displays widgets like boarding passes, QR codes, and calendars.
Think of it as your phone’s utility belt—Batman would approve, though he’d probably question the subscription model. The display occupies the lower portion of the case’s back, maintaining a slim profile while delivering clear text even in direct sunlight.
Battery anxiety becomes irrelevant with the built-in 300mAh cell providing seven days of standby or ten hours of active reading and recording. The case maintains MagSafe compatibility while adding just 4mm of thickness, delivering drop protection alongside its digital features.
Unlike screen-mirroring cases that drain your iPhone’s battery, this operates independently, keeping your primary device’s power intact.
Here’s where reality bites: SmartInk I remains a Kickstarter project from a first-time hardware startup, with shipping pushed to early 2026. The AI features require ongoing subscriptions ranging from $99 to $149 annually after burning through the free 50-minute monthly allowance.
iPhone 14-17 compatibility means Android users need not apply, while E Ink’s inherent refresh limitations make this unsuitable for anything requiring snappy interactions.
Early-bird pledges start around $120, roughly half the expected $200 retail price. Compare this to buying a basic Kindle ($100) plus a transcription service subscription, and the math becomes murkier once you factor in those annual AI fees.
The SmartInk I succeeds as a fascinating convergence of technologies, but crowdfunding newcomers should weigh their patience for potential delays against their tolerance for being guinea pigs in wearable productivity experiments.
