A display unit has a brightness equal to that in a conventional black-and-white reflection type and the power consumption is small at a standby time, and bright color display of high quality can be produced and power consumption is small at the time of use. An information device having this display unit, such as a portable phone, also is provided. The display unit has a color light emitting means, a reflecting mean of external light and a light polarizing state modulating means. The display unit has a driving method switching means for switching color light emitting display and reflection display by on/off control of the light emitting means and switching control of a driving method of a display element.