Samsung has unveiled a new business-focused device featuring a world-first display housing partially made from bio-resin derived from phytoplankton marking a rare materials breakthrough in consumer electronics rather than a pure specs upgrade.
The device, called the 13-inch Samsung Color E-Paper, is not aimed at consumers but at businesses looking for ultra-low-power digital signage. Its standout innovation is the display housing, which uses a mix of recycled plastic and bio-resin sourced from phytoplankton, making it one of the first commercial electronics products to incorporate algae-based materials at scale, as detailed in a press release here.
Samsung says around 10 percent of the housing material comes from the bio-resin, with roughly 45 percent made from recycled plastic. While the company has not disclosed how phytoplankton is processed into resin, it positions the material as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The device also ships in fully paper-based packaging, reinforcing its sustainability pitch.
Beyond materials, the Color E-Paper is designed for extreme energy efficiency. Static images consume zero power, while refreshes use significantly less energy than traditional digital signage. This makes it suitable for menus, price boards, and informational displays in restaurants, retail spaces, and offices.
The display matches the size of an A4 sheet, with a 1,600 × 1,200 resolution, a 4:3 aspect ratio, and a paper-thin profile measuring 17.9 mm. It weighs about 0.9 kg and includes a built-in battery rechargeable via USB-C, allowing it to operate wire-free for extended periods.
Despite its resemblance to a large e-reader, the device is not meant for reading books. It does not run a traditional operating system and cannot install apps. Content updates are handled remotely through Android or iOS devices, or via centralized management tools.
Samsung has not indicated whether this algae-based display housing or color e-paper technology will appear in consumer products like tablets or e-readers. For now, the Color E-Paper stands as a niche but notable experiment, showing how future electronics may compete not just on performance, but on materials themselves.
