In the realm of smartphones, the back panel often remains an untapped canvas of potential. While the front screen captures all the attention, the rear side of our devices remains largely neglected. It’s time we demand more from this vast expanse, transforming it from a blank slate into a dynamic and functional element.

The idea of a secondary screen on the back of a phone isn’t entirely new. Yota Phone attempted this concept a few years ago, but unfortunately, the venture didn’t gain traction and the company faced bankruptcy. Foldable devices emerged as a more captivating innovation, overshadowing the potential of a dual-screen design.

Enter Infinix with its E-Color Shift technology, an intriguing take on the secondary screen concept. It introduces a splash of color to the mix, allowing users to customize the back panel with various hues and patterns. However, it falls short of being a fully functional, low-power display like Yota’s device promised. Instead, it serves as a playful aesthetic enhancement, adding a touch of personality to the often-hidden rear surface.

The E-Color Shift technology employs a unique approach to color manipulation. By applying different voltages, the electric field within the microstructure changes, causing specific color particles to move and display the desired shades. This innovative mechanism enables the phone’s shell to effortlessly change “skins” without consuming power, maintaining the display without draining the battery.

While the technology made its debut at CES last month, my first-hand experience with it came at MWC in Barcelona. It’s important to note that this was a prototype in its early stages, far from a polished consumer product. The setup required the dummy unit to be connected to an external battery pack, highlighting the developmental nature of the technology.

Despite its limitations, the E-Color Shift panel shares a key advantage with e-ink displays: the ability to hold a static image even when the battery is not actively powering it. This feature opens up possibilities for persistent notifications, status updates, or simply displaying a personal message or artwork.

Whether this technology will be licensed to other manufacturers or remain exclusive to Infinix devices remains to be seen. It’s hard to imagine a mass market appeal based solely on this feature, considering its limited functionality and the fact that it’s likely to be covered up by a case or simply face down on a surface most of the time.

Nevertheless, the E-Color Shift technology represents an interesting exploration in the realm of smartphone design. It challenges the conventional notion of a static, unchanging back panel and opens up possibilities for more dynamic and personalized interactions with our devices. While it may not be a game-changer in its current form, it sparks curiosity and invites further innovation in this often-overlooked aspect of smartphone design.