Aura Ink: Ultra‑Thin 13-Inch Color E‑Ink Photo Frame Lasts 3 Months per Charge

Aura has announced the Ink, a 13-inch color e‑ink photo frame that’s just 0.6 inches thick. Unlike many digital frames that need to stay plugged in, Ink includes a rechargeable battery rated for around three months of use per charge—thanks to the low-power nature of e‑ink.

Color e‑paper typically offers a limited palette (around six base colors). Aura says it tackles this with a proprietary dithering algorithm that expands the perceived tones to “millions,” aiming to deliver photo-like results. There’s also an integrated front light that boosts contrast, auto-adjusts to ambient conditions, and turns off at night.

Key features

• Ultra-thin design: Approximately 0.6″ thick to blend into gallery walls or stand alone.
• Battery-powered: Around 3 months per charge (usage-dependent), avoiding visible power cords.
• Color e‑ink display: Perceived “millions of tones” via dithering over a six‑color system.
• Front light: Automatic brightness with nighttime shutoff.
• Mounting options: Ships with a wall mount and a tabletop stand.
• Price: $500.

Why it matters

Digital frames have long struggled with cables, power draw, and screen glare. E‑ink’s low energy use and matte finish make it ideal for framed art and photos, especially for galleries or living rooms where a discrete, always-on look is preferred. The trade-off is that color e‑ink’s native gamut and refresh speed remain limited compared to LCD/OLED—Aura’s dithering aims to bridge that gap for still images.

Considerations

• Color fidelity: Dithering improves perceived tones but won’t match the saturation of LCD/OLED.
• Motion/content type: Best for static photos, not video or fast slideshows due to e‑ink refresh characteristics.
• Battery life: Real-world duration varies with update frequency and lighting behavior.

Learn more:
Aura Frames (official) ·
Coverage and announcement details

Bottom line: Aura Ink trades raw color punch for a cord-free, ultra-thin, gallery-friendly design and months-long battery life—at a premium $500 price.

Discussion: Would you choose a matte, battery-powered e‑ink frame for your wall over a brighter LCD at the same price?