There are plenty of e-book readers on the market, but the Diptyx E-Reader feels more like a proper book since it features two e-paper displays that can be folded or opened thanks to a custom-made plastic enclosure.
While it’s powered by an ESP32-S3 wireless module with a PCB antenna, both WiFi and Bluetooth are disabled in the firmware, and instead, users can load EPUB files through the reader’s USB Type-C port. The combination of an automatic standby mode (using deep sleep) and e-ink displays enables the dual-screen device to run for weeks on a single charge. Two buttons are used to access the next or previous page, and a third one powers the device up in a few seconds.
Diptyx E-Reader specifications:
- Wireless module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3-N16R8
- CPU – ESP32-S3 dual-core LX7 microprocessor @ up to 240 MHz with Vector extension
- Memory – 8MB PSRAM
- Storage – 16MB SPI flash
- Connectivity – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5 with LE/Mesh; note disabled in firmware, but since the firmware is open-source, it can always be enabled if needed
- PCB antenna
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3-N16R8
- Storage – 2 GB microSD card (user-replaceable)
- Displays – 2x 5.83-inch 648×480 e-ink black & white displays
- USB – USB Type-C port for charging and mass storage
- Misc – Buttons for navigation and power on/off
- Batteries – 2x 1,500 mAh Li-Po batteries
- Dimensions
- Closed: 120 x 150 x 14 mm
- Opened: 226 x 150 x 14 mm (height of the middle section, each panel should be about 7mm high)
- Weight – 300 grams
The Diptyx E-Readerwill be made fully open-source after the crowdfunding campaign is over for easy customization and repairs. This will include the enclosure designed in FreeCAD, the KiCad schematics and PCB layout, and the ESP32-S3 firmware developed with VS Code. The firmware is basically an e-book reader implementation reading EPUB files from the 2 GB microSD card, and also acts as a mass storage device to transfer books from your computer to the device over USB-C.
Diptyx provides a comparison table between their e-reader and two commercial products: Kobo Clara BW and Kindle Paperwhite 11th gen. Those models have extra features like support for additiona Ebook formats, a touchscreen, and WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, but the Diptyx E-Reader is unique with its dual screen, open-source hardware design, a larger battery, and wireless was disabled on purpose.
The downside of having two displays and a larger battery is that it is also more expensive, and Diptyx asks for a $230 pledge on Crowd Supply. But the unique design already attracted 32 backers in a few hours, and they should reach the $27,000 funding goal once the crowdfunding campaign ends. Shipping is free to the US, but adds $12 to the rest of the world. Deliveries are scheduled to start by May 2026. You’ll also find more photos and details on the project’s website.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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