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The YotaPhone for 2014 gets sleeker, sharper e-ink display (pictures)

We took the new and improved YotaPhone prototype handset for a test drive at MWC 2014. It's slimmer, faster, and boasts a bigger and crisper e-ink screen that has us stoked about this uncanny device's potential.

Brian Bennett
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Brian Bennett
Jessica Dolcourt
21YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
1 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Crisper, more capable e-ink screen

The new YotaPhone prototype boasts a bigger 4.7-inch e-ink display with a sharper 960x540-pixel resolution.
10YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
2 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

More engaging blacks and whites

The new YotaPhone's 960x540-pixel resolution is way more detail-rich than the first phone's 640x360-pixel resolution.
12YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124_1.jpg
3 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Mix images and alerts

The new working YotaPhone prototype has an e-ink display which can show large photos plus make room for important phone alerts.
18YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
4 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Slimmer and rounder

The curved chassis of the revamped YotaPhone is more trim and exudes greater elegance.
19YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
5 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Speakers on the bottom

The bottom lip houses a set of speakers.
13YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
6 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Text is king

The YotaPhone's larger e-ink screen works wonders on text-heavy documents.
14YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
7 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Real Android too

Looking at the back face of the YotaPhone you'd never guess the front is all Android KitKat.
15YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
8 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Bigger, better, but still a combo

Placed side-by-side with the new YotaPhone, the old model looks positively blocky and brick-like.
03YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
9 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

notifications galore

This mock up of the new YotaPhone shows just how notification crazy the device's e-ink screen may get.
08YotaPhone_MWC2014_35835124.jpg
10 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

Your choice of white or black

The YotaPhone will come in white and black.
YotaPhone2_PowerSave_render_540x437.jpg
11 of 13 Yota Devices

Power off

Its power-saving e-ink display is a major driver behind the phone's value. This second YotaPhone takes it all a step further with a power-saving profile that completely hibernates the Android screen and runs the phone's low-power e-ink side instead.

YotaPhone2_games_render_540x438.jpg
12 of 13 Yota Devices

E-ink gaming

Yota Devices envisions turn-based and longer casual gaming sessions on the YotaPhone's low-power electronic paper display.

YotaPhone2_hardwaresettings_render_540x447.jpg
13 of 13 Yota Devices

Hardware settings

NFC and wireless charging make an appearance in this second act; you can toggle them on and off in the Settings menu.

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