Honor Life S3 Turns the Back of Your Phone Into an E-Reader

Honor has introduced the Life S3, a portable e-book reader that magnetically attaches to the rear of a smartphone. This device is uniquely tailored for reading books and documents, unlike typical magnetic phone displays which function as camera preview screens. The Honor Life S3 sports a 3.68-inch e-ink touchscreen with a high pixel density of 259ppi. Its slim profile, measuring just 5.6mm thick and weighing only 61g, allows it to sit unobtrusively on the back of most phones without adding significant weight or bulk.

Attachment to most smartphones is facilitated through magnetic means. In cases where the phone or case lacks built-in magnets, Honor includes a magnetic ring in the package, alongside a screen protector and a charging cable. Navigation through the reader is managed via a function button on the left and a power button on the right, while pages are turned using the touchscreen interface. The display lacks a front light, necessitating external lighting for reading in low-light conditions.

Books can be wirelessly transferred to the Life S3 via Wi-Fi and the Honor Smart Space app. The device supports a variety of file formats, including EPUB, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, and PDF. Additionally, a microSD card slot is available, accommodating cards up to 1TB in capacity, thereby enabling users to carry a substantial offline library.

The device is equipped with a 650mAh battery, which Honor asserts can sustain up to 30 hours of continuous reading. Charging is accomplished through a USB-C port, and there is no mention of reverse wireless charging capabilities from the attached phone. The Honor Life S3 is currently available in China for CNY 360, equivalent to approximately $54. As of now, international availability has not been disclosed by the manufacturer.