Russian device maker Yota Devices said its YotaPhone, the headline feature of which is a rear always-on e-ink display, will be available from mid-December 2013 in retail stores in Germany and Russia, and online in Austria, Germany, France and Spain.

In January 2014, this will be extended to retailers and online in UK, Greece, Cyprus and the Czech Republic, as well as the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and Egypt).

By the end of the first quarter of 2014, it is expected to be available in 20 markets.

YotaPhone will cost RUB19,900 or €499.

The company said the 4.3-inch e-ink rear screen, which can be used to display information such as notices, emails, maps or boarding, provides easy access to information without the need to wake the main screen. This display also uses “virtually no power”, increasing battery life, and turns “dead space” on the back of the device into an always-on screen.

Away from its screen configuration, the device runs Android JellyBean (4.2.2) powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core processor. The main screen is 4.3-inches with 1280×720 resolution.

YotaPhone supports LTE networks, and includes a 13 megapixel main camera.

Watch an interview with the company’s CEO here.