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IInfinix has been kind enough to loan the E-Color Shift 2.0 concept phone, which features a back cover that can change colours and patterns using the E-Color Shift technology Infinix has developed.
The Infinix concept phone, built on a modified ZERO 40 5G platform, showcases the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology. This is not a commercially available product but rather a demonstration of Infinix’s vision for future smartphone designs. The focus of this review is solely on the colour-changing back cover, as the device runs on a development build of the operating system.
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E-Color Shift 2.0 Technology – Three Upgrades vs 1.0
A few years ago, Infinix showed off the Concept Phone 2021, their first concept phone using this technology. It worked by using a solid electrochromic film (SECF) that can change the colour of the back and an electroluminescence (EL) film that can illuminate arbitrary shapes.
The E-Color Shift 2.0 technology marks a significant improvement over its predecessor. The new version offers a wider range of colours and introduces segmentation, allowing individual control of different areas of the back cover. This advancement provides users with more customisation options and the ability to create more complex designs.
E-Ink Prism 3 Technology
At the heart of E-Color Shift 2.0 is E Ink’s Prism 3 technology, which is similar to that used in e-readers. This technology only requires power to change colours and designs, after which the chosen pattern remains without additional power consumption. This energy-efficient approach is a notable feature, potentially contributing to longer battery life.
Colour Transition Animation
When applying a new design to the back cover, the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology creates an eye-catching animation as the pattern forms. This visual effect adds an element of intrigue to the colour-changing process and showcases the technology’s capabilities.
AI-Powered Smart Recognition
The E-Color Shift 2.0 technology incorporates three AI-powered recognition features: AI Colour Recognition, AI Weather Recognition, and AI Emotions Recognition. These functions aim to provide a more interactive and personalised user experience.
AI Colour Recognition
This feature uses algorithms to identify the dominant colours in a photo or image. It then matches these colours with corresponding templates and colour schemes for the back cover. During testing, the AI Colour Recognition showed promise, but its accuracy varied depending on the complexity of the input image.
AI Weather Recognition
The AI Weather Recognition analyses weather conditions in photos and selects appropriate templates and colour schemes to match. While an interesting concept, the practical applications of this feature may be limited for many users.
AI Emotions Recognition
This function analyses facial expressions in photos and attempts to match them with suitable templates and colour schemes. In practice, the emotion recognition was not always accurate, and the corresponding colour choices sometimes felt arbitrary.
Customisation Options
The E-Color Shift 2.0 technology offers users a range of customisation options through the “My Back Cover Styles” panel in the device’s software.
Patterns and Colours
Users can choose from six back cover patterns and six colour templates, resulting in 30 possible combinations. This variety allows for a good degree of personalisation, though some users might desire even more options.
Application Process
Applying a new style to the back cover is straightforward:
- Open the app on the concept model.
- Navigate to “My Back Cover Styles.”
- In the Customise module, select a preferred pattern and colour.
- Click “Generate” to apply the chosen style to the back cover.
The process is user-friendly, allowing for quick and easy customisation.
Interactive Notifications
One of the more practical applications of the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology is its ability to display interactive notifications on the back cover. When the phone is charging or receiving calls and messages, corresponding patterns and colour animations appear on the back cover. This feature adds a functional aspect to the colour-changing technology, potentially making it more than just a cosmetic addition.
Performance and Limitations
While the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology is impressive, it does have some limitations that are worth noting.
Colour Transition Speed
The colour-changing process requires some time to complete, which means that frequent switching between functions or templates is not recommended. Users need to wait for the current template’s animation to finish before switching to another. This delay might be frustrating for users who prefer quick changes.
AI Function Accuracy
As mentioned earlier, the AI functions are currently in a demo phase and do not always provide accurate results. The colour templates on the back cover may not match every scenario perfectly, particularly with photo recognition. This inconsistency could limit the usefulness of these features for some users.
Notification Delay
There can be a slight delay in switching states for scenarios like charging, incoming calls, or text messages. This is due to the entry animation and the time required for the colour-changing process. While not a major issue, it does impact the immediacy of the notifications.
Power Consumption and Efficiency
One of the strengths of the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology is its power efficiency. The E Ink Prism 3 technology only requires power to change the colours and design, after which the pattern remains without additional power draw. This feature could potentially lead to improved battery life compared to always-on displays or LED-based notification systems.
Durability and Longevity
While the review period was not long enough to fully assess the long-term durability of the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The electrochromic film used in this technology may be susceptible to wear over time, potentially affecting the clarity and vibrancy of the colour changes. Additionally, the segmented nature of the back cover could potentially lead to uneven wear or malfunctions in specific sections. That being said, people have been using E-Books for years without too many issues, and display technologies such as OLED have been used on most mid-range and flagship phones for years without issues, even though OLED is (or was) prone to image burn-in.
Potential Applications and Future Developments
The E-Color Shift 2.0 technology opens up interesting possibilities for smartphone design and functionality. Beyond personalisation, this technology could be used for accessibility features, such as colour-coded notifications for the hearing impaired. It could also be integrated with other smartphone functions, such as changing colours based on app usage or time of day.
Future iterations of this technology might include:
- Increased colour options and more complex patterns
- Faster colour transition times
- Improved AI recognition accuracy
- Integration with third-party apps for expanded functionality
User Experience and Practicality
The E-Color Shift 2.0 technology undoubtedly adds a unique element to the smartphone experience. The ability to change the look of your device on demand is appealing, and the interactive notification feature adds practical value. However, the novelty of changing colours may wear off for some users over time, and the practical benefits may not justify the potential added cost for all consumers. Personally, I am not fussed about how a phone looks, and I always use a case. Though I often opt for a clear case, I think the notification functionality would be quite useful.
Conclusion
I like that Infinix is willing to experiment with different technologies to make its phones unique. I doubt they have the R&D budget that Samsung or Google have, so it is even more impressive that they are trying to experiment with these unique technologies.
Infinix’s E-Color Shift 2.0 technology is impressive. Considering how in-demand some phone colours can be, there must surely be a decent level of demand for a colour-changing phone like this.
One big question remains: when will we see this technology on a production phone? The original Concept Phone 2021 was impressive, but the tech was still in its infancy and not ready for the market. However, with the E-Color Shift 2.0 technology, while there is room for improvement, I’d say it is good enough to be released on aphone.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
