Due to my line of work , I get to dabble a slew with mobile devices . Smartphones , pad of paper , wearable technical school — you name it , I get to try it . For the most part , when I deal withsmartphonesandtablets , they typically have fancy OLED displays that expect beautiful and colorful . But every now and then , I come across an interesting twist that only shows up in smuggled - and - livid .
What am I verbalize about ? E - ink devices , of course . The Onyx Boox Palma 2 is the latest gadget to do across my desk , and it ’s one that certainly stands out among the gang . It ’s a mobile e - ink twist in the manikin of a earphone , and it even runs Android . It ’s a equipment like no otherexcept for its harbinger .
I ’ve been using the Boox Palma 2 for the retiring few days , and while I never knew I need something like it , I ’m having a keen time so far .
A perfectly sized e-reader
Amazon recently announced a whole mountain ofnew Kindle devices , and I was eager to get my hand on the Modern substructure model in the Matcha green colouring . While I still get it on reading on myKindle ( 2024 ) , well , the size is n’t just pocketable with most of my clothes . If I want to take my Kindle with me somewhere , I need to ensure that I take a purse that it will fit out in .
But the Boox Palma 2 is different . Thanks to the smartphone - like course factor , it ’s very close in size to myiPhone 16 Pro(and other similar phones ) because of the 6.1 - inch due east - ink show . I can slither this into my pant pouch with repose , and do n’t necessarily require a bag to carry it around in . It also does n’t feel ungainly to have and carry it out in public without a bag .
The Boox Palma 2 is very lightweight , which adds to the unbelievable portability . It also has a unique textured back that provides plenty of grip and is completely matte , so there ’s no need to worry about fingermark and smudges while using it . It ’s also much well-fixed for me to use the Palma 2 single - handedly than my Kindle . It ’s even water - repellent ( but not waterproofed ) , so it can handle inadvertent spills and splashes .
Not your typical Android device
Typically , when I use anAndroid phone , I ’m eager to download and install my personal and work email apps , social media , games , photo - editing apps , and whatever else I necessitate or want . But even though the Boox Palma 2 runs Android 13 , I do n’t call back of it as a regular Android phone or tablet .
However , I ’ve been using the Palma 2 differently from my other devices . I go to it when I want a fault from my smartphone and do n’t feel like endlessly doomscrolling through Threads or Facebook . And since it ’s an eastward - ink display , it ’s great for when I want to take a open frame from blue light screen , which I seem to be staring at way too much these days .
Performance, battery life, and other features
You might not know what to expect from a smartphone - like einsteinium - proofreader . You may think since it ’s e - ink , it can be a bit laggy when scroll or navigating through apps . surprisingly , it ’s quite good .
I ’m a turn surprised , too . I ’ve used the internet browser and visited various web page , and scrolling is shockingly liquid . There is a bit of haunt when the web page has a sorry setting with white text , but you may brush up the display to get free of the ghosting issue . This does n’t occur when it ’s a white screen background with black text .
The Boox Palma 2 also has a consecrate “ smart button ” on the left edge , which you’re able to programme with up to three actions via a individual press , three-fold wardrobe , or foresightful jam . By nonpayment , it employ a single press to freshen the display and the AI Assistant for the three-fold press . you could reconfigure these however you ’d like , as the clit can do many other thing like take screenshots , launch apps , multitask , and more . candidly , it ’s what I wish Apple would do with theAction button , but that ’s another story .
Boox also tote up a fingerprint sensor on the powerfulness button on the right side of the soma , which was n’t on its predecessor . The fingerprint sensor is very fast for an e - ink twist , which I was n’t expecting .
Other feature of speech include a microphone , speaker , and even a 16MP rearward camera with an LED flash for document scanning . The Boox Palma 2 has a microSD card slot ( a low density ) , so you may expand the computer storage beyond the nonpayment 128 GB if you want to . The battery life is also very just , survive multiple day on a single charge .
The Boox Palma 2 is off to a great start
All of these features make the Boox Palma 2 a very special machine . It ’s an Es - lector that runs Android , looks like a earphone , and has multiple features that you ’d require to find on a smartphone — it just ca n’t make telephone set call option . It ’s not a machine that most people necessarilyneed , but it ’s also a playfulness gadget that will make you experiment and tinkerer .
I ’m still testing the gimmick more for a full recap , but so far , I ’m delight the Boox Palma 2 quite a circle . It ’s a tonic break from the traditional smartphone and tablet equipment I usually use , and it ’s an excellent option when I require to de-emphasise . Stay tune up for the full review .
