diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.cpp b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.cpp
index 177d4b8763..2a4ff2969a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.cpp
@@ -118,7 +118,8 @@ void EPaperUC8179::power_on() {
 void EPaperUC8179::refresh_screen(bool /*partial*/) {
   ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Refresh");
   this->command(0x12);  // DISPLAY REFRESH
-  // The busy line needs at least 200us to assert after the refresh command
+  // Delay the next busy poll: the busy line takes a short time to assert after
+  // the refresh command, and polling too early would read it as already idle
   this->next_delay_ = 100;
 }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py
index 9d6e4173dd..bea133c328 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/models/uc8179.py
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ Supported models:
 - seeed-reterminal-e1001: Seeed reTerminal E1001, which uses the same
   7.5" 800x480 panel on an integrated ESP32-S3 board
 
-Panel configuration is sent during the INITIALISE state. Power-on is handled
-in the POWER_ON state, after data transfer, so the state machine's built-in
-busy wait covers the power-on delay.
+Panel configuration and power-on (0x04) are both sent during the INITIALISE
+state; the state machine's built-in busy wait then covers the power-on delay
+before the waveform/mode registers and image data are transferred.
 
 These displays support fast full and partial refresh: set ``full_update_every``
-greater than 1 to enable it. Every ``full_update_every`` updates a fast full
-refresh is performed, with partial refreshes in between.
+greater than 1 to enable it. Every ``full_update_every``-th update is a fast
+full refresh, with partial refreshes in between.
 """
 
 from typing import Any
@@ -37,8 +37,9 @@ class UC8179(EpaperModel):
     def get_init_sequence(self, config: dict) -> tuple:
         """Generate the initialization sequence for UC8179 mono displays.
 
-        Panel configuration only — power-on is handled separately in power_on()
-        after data transfer, with the state machine busy-waiting before refresh.
+        Panel configuration only — the driver appends power-on (0x04) at the
+        end of the INITIALISE state, and the state machine busy-waits for it
+        to complete before the data transfer starts.
         """
         width, height = self.get_dimensions(config)
         return (
diff --git a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py
index 55481895dd..bc41f3cf11 100644
--- a/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py
+++ b/tests/component_tests/epaper_spi/test_init.py
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ def test_uc8179_e1001_code_generation(
 
     # The model must instantiate the UC8179 driver class with the panel dimensions
     assert "epaper_spi::EPaperUC8179" in main_cpp
-    assert '"SEEED-RETERMINAL-E1001", 800, 480' in main_cpp
+    assert re.search(r'"SEEED-RETERMINAL-E1001",\s*800,\s*480', main_cpp)
 
     # The generated init sequence must contain the UC8179 resolution setting
     # for 800x480: command 0x61, 4 data bytes 0x03 0x20 0x01 0xE0