What you need to know

• Boox announced the Go 6 (Gen 2), a paper-like eReader with a 6-inch 300 PPI display and an InkSensor Plus Stylus.
• This device offers a glare-free screen for readers enjoying daytime reading and adjustable front lights to keep readers going day or night.
• The Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) is available for pre-order for $199.

Reading is good for you, and Boox is making the act easy for those looking to get through chapter after chapter or travel.

Earlier this morning (June 8), Boox shared a press release highlighting the launch of the Go 6 (Gen2) ePaper reader. Right off the bat, it's easy to see how small and light this device is. Boox states the Go 6 (Gen 2) features a 6-inch display that's pocketable and easy to transport. With soft curves and a unique "back shell with tactile grooves," the Go 6 weighs in at 160g.

What's eye-catching about Boox eReaders, aside from their design, is the screen. Its latest reader still provides an easy-on-the-eyes monochrome paper display at 300 PPI. Boox states this display boasts high definition, ensuring your reading or Play Store browsing remains "crisp and soothing." This display is also glare-free, which is a good thing for readers looking to relax during the day in the sun.

What's more, Boox states it equipped the Go 6 (Gen 2) with adjustable front lights. This ensures readers can tune their reading experience for the day and night. NeoReader is included with this device, giving users the option of customizing "fonts and fine-tune margins."

When it comes to reading, the Go 6 (Gen 2) acts like a notebook (or your physical copy). Users can mark up a book, underline sentences that speak to them, or create notes directly on the story's pages. Moreover, the eReader comes with its own Notes app for reminders, to-do lists, and more. Drawing is another capability the Go 6 (Gen 2) offers, but none of this is possible without the InkSense Plus Stylus.

Boox integrated a side button onto this stylus, as well as Type-C charging, replaceable pen tips, and G-sensor auto-wake.

Get lost in a story

With Android OS, the Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) gives users access to the Google Play Store. Despite is being primarily an eReader, users can still download their favorite apps. The device's octa-core CPU is credited for its smooth navigation and app opening. What's more, users have been given 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage for apps and books. Additionally, there's a microSD slot to expand the device's storage.

Inside, the device is equipped with a 1,500mAh battery. Boox states it can last for several days on a single maximum charge.

The Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) is available for pre-order today (June 8) in the U.S. and the EU for $199 (€199.99). Consumers will find it in purple, white, and grey (Plum, Shell, and Stone).

Android Central's Take

Color mess impressed with the latest Boox eReader. For people who enjoy smaller screens, I think this might fit the bill. It's a paper eReader that's easy on the eyes, and can carry all of your digitl books wherever you go. It sounds like just the thing for travelers or people who want to read outside in the summer or during the night. I like this as a device that's useful for night reading, specifically. It makes it so you're not disturbing anyone sleeping around you. It's personal, and you can keep reading your stories.

What you need to know

• Boox announced the launch of the Go 10.3 (Gen 2) E-Ink tablet, which offers an extremely thin 4.6mm build (Standard version).
• The tablet arrives in two variations: Lumi and Standard, which offer a backlight for the former and the typical ink-on-surface experience for the latter.
• Consumers can find the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen 2) available for $449 (Lumi) and $429 (Standard).

The world of E-Ink readers is getting another addition with a Boox announcement that brings a Gen 2 to a Go tablet model.

Earlier this morning (Mar 17), Boox announced in a press release that it has launched the Go 10.3 (Gen 2) tablet reader. Right off the bat, Boox states this E-Ink tablet offers two variations: the Lumi and the Standard. The former delivers a front-light experience, while the latter forgoes that, offering a true ink-on-surface experience. Boox adds that its Standard Go 10.3 (Gen 2) boasts "exceptional clarity under direct sunlight." However, the Lumi version "incorporates adjustable dual-tone front lights," such as cool daylight tones and warm amber hues.

Another major highlight for the Go 10.3 (Gen 2) is that Boox has shaved down its thickness to 4.6mm for the Standard version (4.8mm Lumi). Despite this, Boox says users will find a decent 3,700mAh battery with estimations of lasting "weeks on a single charge," though this doesn't account for connectivity (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).

Reading is good, but writing pairs with it quite well. Boox announces that both tablet variations bring an InkSense Plus stylus with support for 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels and tilt recognition. The post adds that users will have a few writing tools to utilize, like Lasso, Insert, Outlines, and Tags.

The latest E-Ink reader

Boox highlights its Go 10.3's position as a device for "digital nomads." It states that with its sunlight clarity and focused tools, the tablet could come in handy for users looking to get away from traditional screens. The reader's display is designed to assist with screen fatigue due to its simulation of regular ink on a surface. Internally, users will have Android 15 and access to the Google Play Store to get them through their reading or work tasks.

Boox states that it upgraded this tablet with an Octa-core processor, which should aid in multitasking and app performance. The Go 10.3 (Gen 2)'s Lumi and Standard models feature 64GB of storage and support "26 digital file formats." Moreover, the tablets arrive with the NeoReader app built in, for "customizable reading and annotation capabilities for digital books."

U.S. consumers can find the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen 2) available for $449 (Lumi) and $429 (Standard).

Onyx Boox tablets are awesome. They're these beefed up e-readers with crisp E Ink displays, powerful processors, and unfettered access to Android and the Play Store. Unfortunately, you still don't get all the features and functions that regular Android tablets enjoy.

Setting up your new device is probably the most crucial Android feature. When you turn on a brand-new Android device for the first time, you can usually transfer all your data to it using Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or a cable. However, Boox tablets don't have this feature, nerfing their capabilities a little.

Luckily, there's an easy way to transfer all your e-books, documents, and other files from one Onyx Boox tablet to another.

The wrong way to use USB OTG

All the best E Ink tablets from Onyx Boox support USB OTG — short for USB On The Go. Conventionally, this is meant to allow you to connect a USB-C flash drive or a USB-C SSD to your phone or tablet.

You probably groaned a little when you came across the words "flash drive," but don't worry, this hack doesn't require you to purchase any additional Type-C thumb drives or accessories. You will, however, need a USB-C to USB-C cable that supports data transfer. Chances are, you probably have one lying around at home.

If you don't own one, you can buy a cheap USB-C cable that supports data transfer.

How to transfer data from one Onyx Boox tablet to another

Now that you have both your Onyx Boox tablets and the right type of USB-C cable, you're all set. For the purposes of this guide, I used a Note Air 4 C and a Note Air 5 C, but this method should work with any other Boox tab, as they all support USB OTG.

1. Plug in the USB-C cable to the tablet you're copying data from first.

2. Next, insert the other end of the C-to-C cable in the tablet you want to transfer data to.

3. The Boox file manager should automatically open.

4. Locate the files you want to transfer.

5. Select and copy the files.

6. Find the folder where you want to import the files in your destination device and paste them.

Et voilà!

That's it! The copying process shouldn't take too long, depending on the number and the size of the files.

Before you import your e-books, I highly suggest syncing your reading progress to your Onyx Boox account. That way, you can migrate all your data to your new Boox device without ever losing track of your progress per book.

I hope this trick helped you as much as it did me when I first discovered it when setting up my Note Air 5 C. The thought of having to transfer all my e-books from my PC to my tablet again felt super daunting, especially since I had downloaded many of them directly to my old Note Air 4 C.

If you do, however, have the energy to plug your tablet into your computer every time, I highly suggest Calibre for your e-book management needs. This open source tool is a godsend, and it has not failed me once since I started using it in 2010.

Onyx Boox tablets are what Amazon's Kindle e-readers could only dream of being. Equipped with the Google Play Store, native OCR, stylus support, and a wide range of features found in full-fledged Android tablets, Boox's E Ink devices are spectacular. The Boox Note Air 4 C used to be the best E Ink tablet from Onyx Boox, and the best all-around e-paper tablet period. It was succeeded by the Note Air 5 C in October 2025, and I have been testing it for about a month now.

The Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C adds iterative upgrades to the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C. However, the result is a polished product that performs smoother than ever before, is just as light as ever, and retains all the features that I love about Onyx Boox's Android e-paper tablets.

First, let's take a look at the technical specifications and compare what's different — or unchanged — between the Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C vs. Note Air 4 C.

Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C vs. Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C

The latest Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C costs $30 more than the last-gen Note Air 4 C, and you can buy both tablets from Amazon or Onyx Boox's website. From the 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display to the processor and memory specs, both tablets have almost exactly the same hardware.

Design-wise, not much has changed either. Everything is in the same place, from the power button with the built-in fingerprint sensor to the USB-C port on the left-hand side of the tablet, so you can use last-gen cases on the new Note Air 5 C.

Onyx Boox has promised three years of software upgrades to both tablets. Once you update the Note Air 4 C, both tablets run the latest version of BOOX Firmware, which is Firmware V4.1. However, the Note Air 5 C runs Android 13, whereas the last-gen Boox still runs Android 13.

This means you can access nearly all the same tools on both devices, including BOOXDrop, BOOXDrop Screen Mirroring, a Smooth refresh mode thanks to BOOX Super Refresh, AI Assistant, FreeMark, Kids Mode, Split Screen, and more.

While the Note Air 4 C was a little glitchy at launch, the Note Air 5 C is incredibly smooth. Despite having the same hardware, it performs better, and even the fingerprint scanner is faster.

There are two new cases for the Boox Note Air 5 C

So why does the Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C weigh 10g more? There's a new pogo pin connector for the Magnetic Keyboard Cover. It snaps on magnetically and connects instantly, without any setup required.

The Note Air 5 C's Magnetic Keyboard Cover transforms the tablet into a portable workstation. Its Split Screen mode is optimized to work really well with the keyboard case. You can choose to switch to the Smooth refresh mode automatically when the keyboard connects for no lag or ghosting.

The Magnetic Keyboard Cover does not need to be charged, and it has a USB-C port for pass-through charging. It has a detachable magnetic flap that holds the stylus.

Unfortunately, the Keyboard Cover costs a whopping $109.99, which is too rich for a lot of people's blood. Meanwhile, the new Note Air 5 C Case costs $50.99.

Just like the Keyboard Cover, the Note Air 5 C Case also has a magnetic flap that detaches completely. This solves the issue with the Note Air 4 C Case, where the stylus would move about and go inside the folio.

The latest Boox tablet case also adds a USB-C cutout into the spine of the tablet, so you can finally charge the Note Air 5 C without having to open the folio.

Onyx Boox upgraded the stylus

The Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C comes with the latest Pen3 instead of the Pen Plus. Both styluses are battery-less EMR pens that work with the WACOM layer on top of Boox tablets.

The Pen3 is slimmer, smoother, and more streamlined, so it's more comfortable to hold, and it has a compartment to store extra nibs. Both pens also support 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

Should you buy the Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C?

Onyx Boox's lineup remains the most cohesive e-reader experience in the industry, tapping into the unlimited potential of Android and the Google Play Store. The app support is phenomenal. Native OCR is amazing to the point that even if you have a PDF file that contains scanned pages of a document, you can annotate them, copy them, and recognize them offline using the Boox Notes app.

With the new Magnetic Keyboard Cover and upgraded Pen3, the Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C is a professional and educational tool of the highest caliber. It's non-distractive but not dull. Learning feels fun with the colorful Kaleido 3 E Ink panel. BOOX Firmware's intuitive plethora of tools and features facilitates productivity.

Paying an extra $30 for the Onyx Boox Note Air 5 C over the Note Air 4 C makes perfect sense. You get Android 15 instead of 13, a newer stylus, and support for a magnetic keyboard. Even if you don't buy the keyboard case right away, you always have the option to buy it later.

What you need to know

• Two new Onyx Boox e-readers are launching today with Kaleido 3 color E Ink displays.
• The tablet-sized Note Air 5 C is available from $499.99/£499.99/€529.99 and includes a stylus.
• The phone-sized Palma 2 Pro is available from $379.99/£379.99/€399.99.

Do you love reading e-books but hate carrying around a larger e-reader? The original Onyx Boox Palma made a name for itself by being the first major phone-sized E Ink device, and now the second follow-up is flipping the script by adding a layer of color to that E Ink screen.

Powered by the same Kaleido 3 E color Ink display as many popular e-readers launched in 2025, the Boox Palma 2 Pro's phone-like form factor makes it the most portable color e-reader you can find. It weighs just 173g (that's quite a bit lighter than your average smartphone these days), yet the 6.13-inch display is big enough to comfortably read from.

The dual-tone frontlight makes it easy to adjust the color temperature throughout the day, and Boox's fast refresh technology plus the Android 15-powered OS means normal Android apps work perfectly. It also sports 5G connectivity, so you can pop a SIM card in and have a data connection wherever you're at — just be aware that it doesn't function like an E Ink phone.

Impressively enough, the Palma 2 Pro also supports the InkSense Plus stylus for highlighting and quick notes, and the SIM tray doubles as a microSD card reader for expandable storage.

The second announcement comes in the form of a proper E Ink tablet called the Note Air 5 C. As the name implies, it's a follow-up to the excellent Boox Note Air 4 C. Aside from a big upgrade to Android 15 (the Air 4 C launched with Android 13 earlier this year), the Air 5 C has a better keyboard case that attaches with handy magnetic POGO pins.

The writing experience has been upgraded as well, with a more textured surface that feels "more paperlike," according to Onyx, as well as an improved Pen3 stylus. The Boox Note Air 5 C also "mind mapping and AI-powered Smart Scribe tools" to make note-taking and organization easier. Essentially, Boox is framing this as the ultimate E Ink day planner tablet.

Both of the new Boox products can be purchased today at the official Boox Shop page.

I'm an avid bookworm and a big fan of e-readers as well as the many forms they take. Going as far back as the obscure Sony e-reader, E Ink tablets have always been my jam. These days, though, Kindle is the go-to brand for most folks. And with Amazon Prime Day 2025 on the horizon, you're probably looking to buy one. I'm here to tell you not to do so.

Once upon a time, Amazon's Kindle lineup was top-notch. Everyone used to rave about the battery life and durability, and these facts still stand true about the current lineup. However, I find them too limiting considering what's available on the market now. E-paper tablets have good battery life by default thanks to the display technology, so it's not a unique selling point anymore.

Gone are the days when a Kindle was the coolest kid on the block. Its crown has been knocked over by impressive contenders like Onyx Boox, Bigme, and PocketBook. From e-paper tablets running Android or Linux and colored displays to robust stylus support and wide file format compatibility, the competition is stiff.

To be frank, Amazon is trying to compete solely on the basis of an undercutting price at this point. However, I argue that price alone is no longer enough.

Onyx Boox caters to your every reading-related need

Why should you waste $100 or so on a restricted Amazon Kindle with very limited functionality, when you can add a bit more money and get something much more versatile and powerful?

For $150, the Onyx Boox Go 6 destroys the basic $110 Kindle, both of which have a 6-inch 300ppi display. The Go 6 comes with Android 11, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a microSD slot, and USB OTG support. You can install any app under the sun on it, including your own reading app.

In pale comparison, the base model 6-inch Kindle only has 16GB onboard storage and an extremely constricted OS with no third-party app support. The limited file compatibility means you can't use popular formats like CBR and CBZ for your comics or graphic novels, and there's no memory card slot. If you want more storage or the ad-free variant, you need to shell out more dough.

If you throw in a bit more, you can even score stylus support. The latest Onyx Boox Go 7 goes up against the $160 Kindle Paperwhite, featuring a 7-inch 300ppi E Ink display and 16GB storage. The Go 7 costs $250, but that price hike pays for itself in terms of the upgrades it gets you.

Like any Boox tablet, the Go 7 runs unrestricted Android 13, so you can install all your favorite reading and library apps. If you're feeling particularly naughty, you can install the Kindle reading app on your Onyx Boox to get the best of what Amazon has to offer.

With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, USB-C OTG support, native OCR to convert handwriting to text, and expandable storage via microSD, you can access a ton of e-books, comics, documents, and files of all manner on the Go 7. It supports stylus input, comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, has a built-in speaker, and is impossibly thin and lightweight.

Yes, you can read e-books and listen to audiobooks via Bluetooth on the 7- or 6-inch Kindle as well, but neither one has a speaker. None of the Kindle tablets do.

The value prospect of a Kindle just isn't as good

Any time you handle an Onyx Boox, going back to a Kindle is tough. It starkly highlights the handicaps of the Kindle OS and the lack of access and features on Kindle e-readers.

An Android-based E Ink tablet is so much easier to navigate out of the box, even if it is your first e-reader ever. I can't say the same for a Kindle. The Kindle OS feels slower, a little more janky, and less user-friendly.

Something as simple as sending e-books to a Kindle can be challenging. If you use the email method, the first one always ends up in spam. You need to go to the Amazon website on your computer to greenlight it.

Onyx Boox makes the process as simple as possible. You can generate a QR code that can be scanned by another device to directly send files. Alternatively, installing a web browser or cloud storage app enables you to directly download your files from the internet onto your e-reader. I like to store all my files on Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive and download them onto my Boox directly.

A better e-reader delivers a superior reading experience

To sum up, an Onyx Boox tablet has an open-ended OS with unlimited potential. You don't have to pause and think about small actions, like whether you can send a certain file to your e-reader or worry about compatibility issues.

Since the Kindle OS is intentionally limited to the Kindle Store and a web browser, it's harder to use other reading platforms such as Libby, Wattpad, Crunchyroll, and WEBTOON. You're also denied the opportunity to seamlessly view and edit documents on a beautiful e-paper screen using apps like Google Docs, Microsoft 365, Adobe, or Canva.

With Amazon's crisp display quality and robust battery life, the basic formula started out right. But with everything else in perspective, it's a world of missed opportunities.

Anything and everything related to reading or writing is easier, more versatile, more interactive, and so much better overall on an Onyx Boox tablet. Regardless of the model, these E Ink tablets don't disappoint. So why should you settle for a cheap Kindle?

What you need to know

• The Mira Pro (Color Version) is a 25.3-inch E Ink monitor, its first color monitor, an upgrade over the monochrome Mira Pro model.
• It includes Kaleidoscope 3 color ePaper technology, adjustable dual-tone front lights, and Boox Super Refresh technology for enhanced readability.
• The monitor supports multiple operating systems, features various ports, dual speakers, an ergonomic stand, and is priced at $1899.99.

Boox appears to be on a product-launching spree. After recently dropping portable e-readers, the company now has a new E Ink monitor dubbed Mira Pro (Color Version), which is now available to purchase.

It is a 25.3-inch monitor that claims to have paper-like visuals alongside rich colors. The latest monitor is aimed at professionals, programmers, students, and those who spend a lot of time on screens, as it offers an eye-friendly design.

The Mira Pro (Color Version) happens to be the first color monitor and an upgrade over the monochrome Mira Pro. It also features the Kaleidoscope 3 — the same as the Kobo Libra Color — color ePaper screen that claims to offer soft colors, which should work for tasks demanding color differentiation like “reviewing color-coded dashboards, analyzing data, or working with complex graphics.” The same screen was featured in the recent Boox Go Color 7 e-reader.

The massive 25.3-inch can be used as a primary or secondary screen and supports split-screen multitasking. Then there’s adjustable dual-tone front lights to ensure readability in all lighting conditions and further making it eye-friendly.

The monitor further utilizes Boox Super Refresh technology that increases refresh rates alongside having four preset refresh modes. “The Mira software allows further fine-tuning of Refresh Speed, Dark Color Enhancement, and Light Color Filter for truly customized viewing.”

The Mira Pro (Color Version) is also port-friendly as it features HDMI, Mini HDMI, USB Type-C, DP, and DC ports. The monitor supports all major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and iPadOS.

Additionally, the monitor also features dual speakers, an ergonomic stand for height adjustment alongside support for tilt, and pivot modes for preferred comfortable viewing. The VESA interface also enables the monitor to be mounted on a wall or desk.

As for pricing, the Boox Mira Pro (Color Version) is already available for purchase and retails at $1899.99.

• Monitor deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Lenovo | HP | Amazon | Newegg

What you need to know

• The Go 7 series features 7-inch screens, with the Go Color 7 (Gen II) equipped with a Kaleido 3 display for vibrant colors, while the Go 7 has a monochrome display.
• Both models support handwriting with Boox’s InkSense stylus and run on Android 13.
• Weighing 195 grams each, the eReaders have a compact design with wide bezels, an ergonomic page turn button, a textured back, and a water-repellent finish.

After debuting Palma 2 and Note Air4 C last year, Boox is back with a new set of portable readers — the new Go 7 series.

The new ereaders were launched late last week and include the Go 7 and Go Color 7 (Gen II). These new Android-based eReaders come with writing capabilities for immersive reading. They also claim to be ideal sidekicks for commuters and for those who prefer to read in outdoor environments.

Both eReaders carry the same screen sizes, which are 7 inches; however, the Go Color 7 equips a Kaleido 3 display — the same as the Kobo Libra Colour — promising a true-to-life color panel. It also promises to offer visually rich content. On the other hand, the regular Go 7 comes with a Carta 1300 monochrome display and has a resolution of 300ppi, with a sharp text clarity that is believed to mimic traditional paper. Additionally, both also feature adjustable front lights for comfortable reading in all lighting conditions.

Further, both models support handwriting capabilities with the help of Boox’s InkSense stylus — to quickly jot down thoughts, highlight text, and mark up in the books users read. They are also provided with a dedicated Notes app to write things when required.

Underneath, the latest Boox ereaders run Android 13 and have access to the Google Play Store to install your favorite Android apps. Both models are equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of inbuilt storage, which can further be expanded with the help of a microSD card.

Lastly, these ereaders weigh around 195 grams each and offer a compact and lightweight form factor that further helps in easy one-handed use, which is essential for any e-ink device. In addition, they have wide bezels to hold on to, an ergonomic page turn button, and a textured back for additional grip. And for protection against spills and light rain, they feature a water-repellent design.

The Boox Go 7 and Go Color 7 both come in two color options — black and white — with the latter getting a navy blue finish. The Go 7 is available for preorder in U.S. and European markets with $249.99/£219.99/€249.99 pricing. The Go Color 7 is not yet on sale, but it will be priced at $279.99/£249.99/€279.99 for the aforementioned regions.

• Tablet deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Dell |

What you need to know

• The Onyx Boox Page is receiving a version 4.0 update that refines the screen-touching experience for readers.
• Boox rolls in a host of Library and NeoReader updates, too, that add customization to the Library View" and "List" settings.
• The update is rolling out with a 338MB download size.

Boox is rolling out an update for its 2024 e-reader that packs bug fixes as well as new updates to improve its reading experience.

The update for the Onyx Boox Page was spotted by Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich this morning (Apr. 8), marked as v4.0. Users looking to update should begin noticing it today; however, it arrives as a 338MB download. Boox provided its entire changelog, which begins with a few System updates. The company is improving the system UI interfaces and the operation feedback prompts.

For the latter, Boox says this should make screen-touching "more intuitive and accurate." Additionally, users will find the option to enable and disable "full refresh" when returning to the home screen. Boox states users can find it by heading into Settings > Display > Full Refresh When Back to Home Screen.

The Library and NeoReader pick up a few updates, too. The patch notes detail the ability to now "customize the top function bar of the Library." Users can re-order its provided function Library Settings > Library List Settings. "Library View" gains an easy switch button in the lower right-hand corner of the library. Additionally, Boox has added customizable Reading Themes, letting users change the font, margin, spacing, and background color.

A more "intuitive" reading progress bar arrives in the version 4.0 update alongside support for "independent settings" regarding titles, body text fonts, and supplementary fonts of reflowable documents.

Additional Boox Page Updates

• Optimized OCR function, OCR now works in the background while you read PDFs
• Optimized word lookup experience, you can prioritize Word Lookup or Translation (Selection) in Neoreader > Settings > Dictionary Settings
• Optimized display of Traditional/Japanese symbols
• Adjusted the Refresh entry of Neoreader to the first-level bottom menu for easier refresh mode customization
• Fixed some known issues and improved system stability

The update has started rolling out, so users should be aware and check their device accordingly. Boox warns that the Page e-reader will go through a brief optimization period after the patch. This may lead to increased heat and power consumption; however those issues should subside after a couple of days.

The Boox Page is a pretty decent e-reader with a 7-inch E Ink display. Users are confined to its black and white screen, which makes doing anything else (watching videos or a light game) a little hard to deal with. The reading experience is made quite easy as the Page features dual page-turning buttons on the front. There's also the larger Boox Note Air 3 with a 10.3-inch display that takes reading files, emails, and books to another level.

E-readers are often mistaken for single-purpose devices with eye-friendly displays. Of course, modern e-paper devices are so much more than that. Onyx Boox is a brand that has worked hard at excelling in this category, defeating the likes of the Amazon Kindle for the throne.

The Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C is a colorized and updated iteration of the Onyx Boox Note Air 3, reviewed by my colleague Harish Jonnalagadda. The Note Air 3 has a colorized version called the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C, which begs the question, why should you buy the newer, more expensive model?

As with any new release, the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C has upgraded internals and software. After using it for a few months, I have some thoughts about the Note Air 4 C. Let's dive into the details.

There's a new color Onyx Boox in town and it's as sleek as ever

Onyx Boox stays busy, launching new models of its black & white as well as colored E Ink tablets loaded with Android every few months. The Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C was released on October 23, 2024. Interestingly, there is no grayscale Note Air 4 to go with the 4 C.

You can purchase the Note Air 4 C for $499.99 from Onyx Boox's website or retailers like Amazon. It comes with a stylus in the box and a charging cable, but the accompanying Note Air 4 C Cover needs to be bought separately for another $50.99.

Onyx Boox outfitted the Note Air 4C with an upgraded Kaleido 3 color E Ink panel which delivers better brightness and contrast levels, as well as a higher screen refresh rate. The 10.3-inch e-paper display has an anti-glare layer on top and a Wacom layer to support the included EMR stylus.

Design wise, the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C looks exactly the same as the last-gen Note Air 3 C. Both e-readers are equally slim at lightweight, measuring 226mm x 193mm x 5.8mm in size and coming in at a lightweight 430 grams.

To make you understand just how sleek this thing is, I compared it to the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Next to this slim and trim e-ink tablet, the S25 Ultra looks chunky. It's amazing, considering this is an older design, whereas Samsung's flagship phone is hot out of the oven and hasn't even started shipping yet.

There are no physical buttons apart from the power button. The microSD card slot is still located in the spine of the tablet, along with the USB-C port for 15W wired charging. You can also use a USB-C thumb drive with the Note Air 4 C as it supports USB-C OTG.

Sadly, there's no ingress protection yet again this year, so you have to be super careful when handling the Note Air 4 C near liquids and grainy solid particles.

The software is the biggest draw with Boox tablets

As I mentioned earlier, the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C has a speedier octa-core chipset and beefier 6GB RAM, adding 2GB to the Note Air 3 C's 4GB of RAM. The result is noticeably improved performance, fewer instances of ghosting, and better loading times in general. It's still nowhere near as snappy as a full-blown Android tablet, of course, but it's one of the fastest e-paper tablets that money can buy right now.

Boosted internals go hand in hand with newer software. The Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C comes with Android 13 installed out of the box as opposed to the Note Air 3 C, which came with Android 12. This might seem old seeing as we are on Android 15 in the smartphone sector now. But for e-readers, that's quite advanced. Not to mention, Onyx Boox promises to deliver at least three years of firmware updates to all of its devices. Most Boox tabs probably get more than that.

The biggest draw with an Onyx Boox e-reader is that you get unfettered access to Android apps, and the Play Store is pre-installed. Amazon blocks this ability on all Kindle e-readers, limiting what you can do with a Kindle to a great extent. The Note Air 4 is ripe with possibilities. You can try installing any Android app in the sun. Even if it's incompatible, you can tweak and optimize it using Onyx Boox's built-in customizability tools.

The NeoReader is a fantastic e-book app with extensive tools and options baked in. Note-taking is also a treat on the Note Air 4 C, thanks to Boox's Notes app, which has OCR built-in so that you can convert hand-written notes on the fly. Onyx Boox offers so many useful reading and writing functions that it's hard to list out everything.

Like every other tech brand, Onyx Boox has also hopped aboard the AI bandwagon. You get neat AI features pre-loaded on the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C, such as the Boox AI Assistant and AI Read. This makes the NeoReader more intelligent than ever before.

Very few competitors offer what the Note Air 4 C does

There are plenty of e-readers out there, but very few can do what the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C can. If you don't care about Android smarts and just want a cheap e-reader for nothing but reading, the most straightforward answer is a cheap Amazon Kindle.

Other competing brands include Bigme, Kobo, and Pocketbook. However, none of these companies have e-readers that run Android 13, come with color displays, and consistently receive software updates.

Ironically, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, the most suitable option comes from Onyx Boox themselves. The smaller Boox Palma 2 launched alongside the Note Air 4 C and costs only $279.99. It features a 6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200 display that only outputs shades of black and white. The nifty little Palma 2 has many of the smarts of the 4 C despite its stature, and it one-ups the larger tab thanks to its splash-proof design.

Is it worth buying the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C?

As much as I love the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C, almost $500 is a hefty price to pay for such a niche device. It's a wonderful e-reader that's perfect for note-taking, with no limitations and unrestricted access to Android apps via the Play Store. However, everything that I love about this tablet overlaps with the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C.

Frankly speaking, beyond the menial hardware upgrade such as the faster processor and newer Bluetooth chip, there's not a lot there to justify buying the Note Air 4 C over its predecessor. You can score the Note Air 3 C for $50 less and it still gets the same firmware upgrades as the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C.

If Android 13 is of great importance to you, the newer Boox e-reader makes sense. But in most cases, I'd suggest opting for the older Note Air 3 C instead. Make no mistake, the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C is a spectacular device. It's just that it doesn't add much over the last-gen 3 C, at least not enough to justify a $50 price difference.

After a year with the amazing Onyx Boox Palma, I was looking forward to seeing a big Black Friday sale so I could recommend it as the go-to e-reader this holiday season. Unfortunately, Amazon only slashed the price by 12%, meaning it's not much cheaper than the Boox Palma 2 that just came out.

While I normally would recommend picking up a year-old device for a great discount, the Palma 2 is the better buy even though it's currently $279. How does this make any sense? Simply put, newer can be notably better in the world of cheap e-readers for a few hidden reasons, most of all is software support.

The Boox Palma 2 runs Android 13 while the original Palma is still on Android 11 and likely won't get updated to anything newer. Aside from some nice new features, that means the Palma 2 can run apps for at least two years longer than the original Palma because there's going to be a point where apps no longer support Android 11. Considering apps are THE reason to pick a Boox over other e-readers, this is enough for me to recommend the newer unit.

✅Recommended if: You're looking to give your eyes a rest from your phone's harsh display, or you just want a more pocketable e-reader that's capable of running full Android apps.

❌Skip this deal if: You only read books through Amazon's Kindle service. There are cheaper Kindles that are less than half the price of this.

I called the original Onyx Boox Palma "the perfect bedtime device" in my review, and the second iteration improves the experience in a few small ways. Onyx didn't try to reinvent the wheel or radically alter the experience for the Palma 2, but it did include a faster processor, better speakers, and a fingerprint reader nestled in the power button.

The processor improvement makes everyday computing a little quicker and just generally improves the overall experience. Onyx also added a few extra new features to the device including an AI assistant that can answer questions, keeping your phone in your pocket (or in a cabinet) while you stay as distraction-free as possible.

The Palma 2 features the same amazing super fast refresh e-ink display as the original, which means it's perfect for scrolling through web pages, books, and plenty of other apps without having that classic e-reader refresh jank. Plus, it's super friendly on the eyes with no nasty PWM dimming or flickering backlight.

And while the Palma 2 is certainly capable of playing games, you're probably going to want to stick to crossword puzzles or Wordle-type games because it's tough to play most modern games on the black-and-white display. There's a reason the original GameBoy had simplistic games, so stick to those if you really want that from this device.

Eye health has become increasingly more important as our world becomes filled with screens. Most people look at a screen now more than at any other time in their lives, so it makes sense to find a type of display that isn't going to cause you harm.

However, not every screen type is created equal, making some devices better for specific tasks than others. For this particular project, I’ve been using the best E Ink tablet, the Boox Tab Ultra, as well as the LCD-based TCL Tab 10 NXTPAPER 5G tablet, and the OLED-based Honor MagicPad 2. Each tablet’s display works very differently, but all have the same goal: to be better on your eyes for the long haul.

That's good because the latest research on light and display flicker shows that some kinds of displays can cause health problems over time, including migraines and eye problems. Thankfully, this same research is pushing companies to make displays that are far more eye-friendly, and three technologies are leading the charge: E Ink, NXTPAPER LCD, and, surprisingly, OLED. Which one is right for you? Let's take a look.

E-ink

Each of these three display technologies “draws” the image very differently and even displays light completely differently.

E Ink promises to be the most eye-friendly display of all because it doesn’t flicker the way other types of display tech are prone to. E Ink uses positively and negatively charged white or black pigments, which are situated between a clear fluid. You can see this in the image above which shows what the Boox Tab Ultra's display looks like under a microscope compared to the OLED display on the Honor MagicPad 2.

When an e-reader like the Boox Palma draws an image — like the text in a book or a picture in a manga — the pigments are energized to create a specific level of gray and then stay in place until moved again.

This means that E Ink displays are extremely battery efficient since they only require power when drawing. LCDs and OLEDs require constant voltage to operate and maintain an image on the screen. Additionally, E Ink “accepts” light similarly to paper, so it’s more viewable as ambient light increases. Reading on the beach with an e-reader is a joy, while it’s nearly impossible with an LCD or OLED.

All modern e-readers use an optional frontlight, which means they are lit differently from an LCD or OLED if you choose to turn the light on. A frontlight is typically situated around the edges of the display and points at a downward angle.

Because of E Ink's unique light-accepting properties, light is then carried across the panel and evenly lit. All Onyx Boox e-readers that I’ve tested do not use PWM flickering to dim the light but actual DC dimming to reduce voltage to the light, making it very comfortable on the eyes.

The downside of E Ink is that it’s not inherently designed for color or video content. You can find fast-refreshing E Ink displays like the one on the Boox Palma that allow you to play games and watch videos, but the experience is a little weird since the framerate is low.

It's not impossible to watch videos or play games on certain e-readers — the Boox Tab Ultra I've used for this article is a great example of one that doesn't refresh fast enough for these use cases — but it's not as nice to view this kind of content an on E Ink display as it is an LCD or OLED.

Likewise, color e-readers often have a reduced color palette compared to LCD or OLED, meaning they are only ideal for reading.

NXTPAPER LCD

TCL’s NXTPAPER technology is a fairly new riff on older LCD technology. Like traditional LCDs, NXTPAPER uses a grid of tiny red, green, and blue pixels illuminated by a separate backlight to display what you see. The biggest difference is in the various layers that separate the pixels and the light itself.

TCL has packed a light diffusion layer and an anti-glare filter onboard. This diffusion layer makes it difficult to see individual pixels, even under a microscope, giving the light a lovely “soft” quality that no other display tech has.

Additionally, TCL NXTPAPER backlights are completely DC dimmed, so there’s no flickering at all. All in all, this is the closest thing you’ll find to the eye-friendly light provided by an incandescent light.

TCL says this is the Goldilocks display tech as it’s got a wider color range than E Ink but doesn't sport the harsh look of an OLED. The TCL NXTPAPER Tab 10 also offers three different color models that can alter colors on the screen to be a reduced palette or make everything completely black and white.

The idea here is that one of these three modes is optimal for different types of content, but this tablet has one big downside: dithering. In a nutshell, TCL is using the same color tech on its tablet as it does on its popular TVs, which achieves deeper colors by flickering pixels between two colors. This makes each pixel appear as a color that “doesn’t exist,” similar to how your eyes will perceive a non-existent color when spinning a color wheel.

In my testing, I've found that this display works very well for any kind of task. Reading on TCL NXTPAPER technology, specifically, is very pleasant thanks to the characteristic soft diffused light. Changing color palettes can help ease eye strain for certain types of content, although I find I use the "color paper" mode less often than the full-color "regular mode" or the black & white-only "ink paper mode."

The panel is bright enough for indoor use but is very difficult to see outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. It also has rather poor viewing angles and is only perceivably brightest when looking at it straight on.

This particular generation of NXTPAPER LCD doesn't refresh quite as quickly as an OLED can, though, introducing some motion blur. This is particularly noticeable when scrolling through the OS or web pages but I don't notice it as much when playing games and never notice it while watching videos. This would be the single friendliest overall tech if TCL could provide users the option of disabling color dithering.

OLED

For the better part of the last decade, OLED displays have been slowly replacing LCDs because they look better and are more energy efficient. But the way some companies make their OLED displays — and even LED lights — are causing health problems for lots of people because they flicker like fluorescent lights.

I've written about this topic many times, so it's a subject very near and dear to my heart. While Samsung OLED panels often feature harsh flickering that makes me dizzy, gives me eye and headaches, and sometimes makes me nauseous, OLED panels from other companies like LG, BOE, Visionox, and Sony (among others) only flicker at low brightness and, even then, flicker at a far higher frequency than Samsung’s OLEDs.

The Honor MagicPad 2 I used for this experiment uses DC dimming technology above 30% brightness and 4320Hz PWM dimming at lower brightness levels. Meanwhile, Samsung’s best tablets use a paltry 240Hz PWM rate at all brightness levels, meaning there’s no escape from the flickering no matter how bright it gets.

OLED produces the best contrast ratio and deepest colors of the three different display technologies here, as well as the brightest overall output. Despite this, viewability in sunlight is rather poor since the panel itself is super shiny.

Honor uses true 10-bit display panels, so there’s no need for color dithering as the TCL NXTPAPER Tab 10 has, but the direct light from LED photons may still trigger headaches for the most sensitive users.

Interestingly enough, Honor has a brilliant new technology on this tablet that works under the hood to help prevent and even reverse myopia, according to research. It's limited to only a few apps but promises some interesting potential if it gets rolled out more widely.

I’ve been using this tablet for everything from watching movies to working during Hurricane Helene and find it to be extremely comfortable, but I don’t like using OLEDs for reading. Concentrating on the harsher, direct light of an OLED while reading just doesn’t feel good after long periods of time no matter what’s done behind the scenes.

Two winners

While there’s no direct answer to which display type is “best” overall, one characteristic affects more sensitive users than others: flicker. Many modern displays and lights flicker to achieve different goals, from color accuracy to display brightness; flickering has a purpose.

However, companies that use flicker this way often seem to forget that human eyes and brains don’t always play nice when strobing lights are involved. Lack of flicker is the main reason these three devices, in particular, are better for your eyes.

Onyx’s E Ink technology doesn’t flicker at all, yet the occasional user will still feel eye strain from certain e-readers. This can be attributed to several potential factors, but the fact is that e-ink is the most comfortable type of display for reading for the largest percentage of users.

TCL’s NXTPAPER technology has the potential to be the single best overall technology, but TCL needs to offer sensitive users the option to disable dithering completely. If that can be done, the soft, friendly DC-dimmed light from any TCL NXTPAPER device will be an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a great tablet to read on, watch movies on, or even work from.

OLED has the biggest potential to inflict harm because of its harsher direct light. Since the individual pixels on an OLED panel emit light, you’re looking directly at an LED when you view content on an OLED instead of at a diffused light as with other display types.

There are many ways that companies can use diffusion layers or provide better dimming options to help negate the negative effects of OLEDs. Samsung put a wonderful anti-glare layer on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, for instance. But the technology feels a bit like the old Icarus story: fly too close to the sun and you’ll probably get burned.

I've found that e-readers like the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra are best for reading books or manga. When I want to watch a video or play a game, the Honor MagicPad 2 is my go-to solution thanks to Honor's use of DC dimming, an unbelievably good set of virtual surround sound speakers, and a powerful processor.

I'd love to use TCL's NXTPAPER tech more in the future but the company's use of low-power processors and color dithering put it in an awkward middle ground that means it collects dust more than it sees use.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, Qualcomm unveiled its powerful new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for 2025 flagship phones, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition, Arm is terminating its licenses with Qualcomm, Boox launches new e-readers, and Google Messages is tackling message spam.

Qualcomm is taking your next Android phone to new heights

Read more here.

The Snapdragon Summit kicked off on October 24, and the company announced its latest flagship chip. Dubbed the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the chip adopts Oryon cores similar to its PC counterpart, which brings boosted power and efficiency, and, most importantly, AI performance.

The 3nm chip offers 45% better CPU performance and 40% better GPU performance compared to the already impressive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. NPU performance is also up by 45%, meaning the chip is much more capable of handling AI tasks.

Interestingly, the chip brings 44% better efficiency even though it does not include any efficiency cores, and Qualcomm explained to Android Central that the Oryon cores make it so that they are not necessary.

The first phones with the chip are launching this month, including the OPPO Find X8 series, OnePlus 13, and Xiaomi 15.

The Galaxy Z Fold SE is what the Z Fold 6 should've been

Read more here.

We just got the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in July, but Samsung is back with a brand new foldable phone, which has us scratching our heads a bit. The new Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition features an updated design with larger displays, a thinner profile, and a powerful 200MP primary camera.

Other spec upgrades include 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, all things we wish we had on the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6. That said, according to the official specs on the product page, there isn't S Pen support. That could be a deal breaker for some, as the regular Galaxy Z Fold 6 supports the S Pen, although that would still be an additional cost for those who want one.

And while the new phone sounds fantastic, the phone has launched exclusively in Korea, and it doesn't seem like it's coming to other regions. Fingers crossed that Samsung expands availability or at least brings us a much-improved Galaxy Z Fold 7 without the need for a special edition model.

Arm isn't too happy with Qualcomm

Read more here.

Qualcomm is riding high on the success of the Snapdragon X Elite for PCs and the newly launched Snapdragon 8 Elite for phones, but Arm is spoiling the party. The company, whose cores are used by major chip makers such as Apple, Samsung, and MediaTek, has issued a 60-day notice to end Qualcomm's architectural license. Why? Because of the company's continued use of Arm technologies following its purchase of Nuvia back in 2021.

Arm sued Qualcomm a year later, claiming that the company was illegally using its chip designs and architecture through the Nuvia acquisition. Through the lawsuit, it has sought for Qualcomm to "destroy certain Nuvia designs" and is further seeking an injunction as well as fair compensation for the trademark infringement.

As for the recently announced cancellation notice, Arm says it was "left with no choice but to take formal action." Meanwhile, Qualcomm is claiming that the move is "completely baseless," calling it "anticompetitive." Android Central senior editor Jerry Hildenbrand believes the companies will come to a last-minute agreement before anything drastic happens, but he also points out that Qualcomm needs Arm more than Arm needs Qualcomm.

The new Boox Palma gets some nice upgrades

Read more here.

We're fans of the original Boox Palma e-reader, and now the company is back with a sequel, offering some welcome changes. The new Boox Palma 2 comes with a faster processor and the Boox Super Refresh technology, meaning the device should feel much faster in daily use and handle scrolling better than some other e-readers. And even better, the device runs Android 13, an upgrade from Android 11 on the previous device.

The e-reader retains the 16MP camera but also gains a side-mounted fingerprint sensor so you can securely and quickly unlock the device. Otherwise, you get 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and access to cons of apps via the Google Play Store.

The Boox Palma 2 is available to order now in white or black and costs $279.99. It will ship on November 12.

In addition to the new Palma, Boox launched the $499 Note Air4 C with an improved display with better color and contrast while also teasing the Note Max, which features a 13.3-inch, "ultra-crisp" Carta 1300 e-ink display and a keyboard "shell" that gives it a laptop-like look and feel. Boox has not revealed when the Max will be available, but it will retail for $649.

Google Messages and the fight against spam

Read more here.

We all hate spam texts, and companies try different ways to tackle it. With Google Messages, Android is about to become a lot better at not only detecting scams but also warning users about potentially harmful/offensive messages.

To do this, the company is rolling out five new features to Google Messages, including enhanced scam detection for beta users. When the system detects scammy package delivery or job-seeking messages, it will either warn the user or move the message into the spam inbox.

Google Messages will also give users more control over messages from unknown international senders and warn users about potentially harmful links. A new on-device feature will detect and blur images if they contain nudity, similar to Google Search's SafeSearch, although this is an opt-in feature unless the user is under 18 years of age (in this case, it'll be opt-out).

Finally, Google is working on an identity verification feature to help weed through spam messages of senders trying to impersonate contacts or someone you may know. We'll have to wait a bit longer for this, as it won't arrive until next year.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Motorola Razr update finally adds Circle to Search
• OnePlus 13 is arriving early this year; it already has a launch date
• The Google TV Streamer's best feature comes to more streaming devices
• Pixel Camera update brings enhanced underwater photography to the Pixel 9
• The wait is over — OPPO's Find X8 and X8 Pro are launching globally
• Find My Device on Android is finally adding a much-awaited login method
• YouTube Music is finally letting you add custom playlist thumbnails
• Google Chat's Gemini update gives you all the deets before opening a thread
• Chrome's 'Listen to this page' now lets you hear articles while doing other tasks
• WhatsApp is about to introduce usernames so you can ditch those phone numbers

What you need to know

• Boox announced a trio of devices on October 23: the Palma 2, the Note Air4 C, and it teased the upcoming Note Max.
• The Palma 2 retains its 6.13-inch e-ink Carta 1200 display but receives a fingerprint reader for security, Android 13, and the upgraded NeoReader software.
• The Note Air4 C delivers a richer, more comfortability color e-reader display and a paper-like display when using its stylus for writers and artists.
• The Palma 2 can be pre-ordered for $279 while the Note Air4 C runs for $499.

The world of e-readers expands as Boox debuts a trio of new ePaper devices for book lovers.

Today (Oct 23), the company published a press release highlighting three e-readers, beginning with the 2024 Palma 2. Boox states the pocket-sized Palma 2 is a device for a "mindful lifestyle." Users will find the same 6.13-inch 300 PPI E Ink Carta 1200 as its predecessor from 2023.

The Palma 2 features Boox Super Refresh technology, which makes for a quicker device. Additionally, the company implemented an octa-core CPU to help users easily manage "multiple tasks." The latest phone-sized reader delivers Android 13 out of the box. It even comes pre-installed with the Google Play Store, meaning users can grab some of their favorite apps.

Boox states the Palma 2 offers several tools to help make reading more memorable for study and reflection. The device comes with NeoReader, a native Boox reading app that lets users highlight text, annotate, and translate. Boox adds users will also find the Boox AI assistant to help create a list or explain what a book sentence could mean.

Another highlight of the Palma 2 is the addition of a fingerprint reader. Boox states the fingerprint scanner is woven into the power button for an extra layer of security.

The "smart button" on the side of the Palma 2 lets users assign different functions to it as a shortcut. Boox states the button works in three ways: short press, long press, and double tap. Users can assign its screenshot feature or surface its AI by assigning them to one of the three functions for easy use. "Flexible widgets" and gestures make navigating the Palma 2 seamless when on the go.

Whether you're downloading a few apps or storing books, the Palma 2 delivers 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Moreover, users can toss in a microSD card for more room.

Like the 2023 edition, the Palma 2 contains a "durable" 3,950mAh battery with a USB-C charging port. The small phone-like device can repel "unexpected spills and splashes."

Consumers will find Boox Palma 2 in white and black. The device is available for pre-order today (Oct 23) for $279. Boox adds that there are a few flip-fold cases for aesthetic and protective purposes.

Following the Palma 2 is the company's Note Air4 C. According to the post, the Note Air4 C delivers an "improved" 10.3-inch color ePaper display over the Note Air3 C. Boox states it's worked to enhance the tablet's Kaleido 3 color e-ink screen so it can deliver "brighter" backgrounds, contrast for eye comfort, and encourage an "engaging visual experience." The Note Air4 C's display features a faster refresh rate and response time when tapping or writing.

The Note Air4 C's design remains close to its predecessor. Boox highlights the tablet's 5.8mm profile and light 420g weight.

With creativity at its core, the Note Air4 C lets artists pick between templates, brushes, layers, and AI-backed "Smart Scribe" tools. Boox added a new "Shape" tool for those looking to clean up their artwork, which may pair well with its lasso tool for moving design elements. Elsewhere, users can make notes on their artwork and quickly "link" them all with the new link tool.

The Note Air4 C's Android 13 OS and the octa-core CPU help with most of the heavy lifting. Boox states it has improved the CPU performance of the tablet by ~50% and its implementation of BSR technology aids its display's refresh rate.

The Note Air4 C is also a good reading buddy as Boox states users will find preset appearance choices to "improve readability." Like the Palma 2, the Note Air4 C makes tools like highlighting, creating annotations, and more freely available when reading documents, newspapers, and books. Moreover, users can switch between light or dark modes when reading. Multitasking tools, such as split-screen, let users place a document on the left to read while scribbling notes on the right.

The post says the tablet's 6GB of RAM helps keep its multitasking smooth and responsive. Moreover, users will have 64GB of storage to store everything they need. The Note Air4 C provides a 3,700mAh battery.

Users can pre-order the Boox Note Air4 C for $499 on its main website or Amazon.

Lastly, Boox rounds out its announcement with a teaser for its A4 paper-sized Note Max. The device features a 13.3-inch, " ultra-crisp" Carta 1300 e-ink display. Boox states it crafted a sleek, "chic-style" shell for this larger device. What's more, the addition of a free-form front light helps with readability and focus.

The Note Max will arrive with a 2.4GHz octa-core CPU, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Boox has not said when consumers can expect the Note Max to become available. More information will likely come in the future.

The Onyx Boox Palma is one of the greatest e-readers of all time, providing an incredible eye-safe e-ink display without sacrificing a fast refresh rate. But, like a phone, it doesn't ship with a protective case in the box. Thankfully, my favorite Boox Palma case from Tudia is on sale for just $17 on Prime Day.

Onyx makes official cases for the Palma that have a powdery finish but I find that those are a bit too slippery for my liking. These silicone gel cases from Tudia add some necessary grip to the e-reader without adding any substantial weight. Plus, they have padded corners and multiple colors to choose from. What's not to like?

The deals

✅Recommended if: You love your Palma and don't want it to take damage if you accidentally drop it. Tudia ships this one in several different colors, too, so you can choose a nice style for your e-reader and keep it protected at the same time.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer to prop up your Palma with a kickstand or something similar. The Palma is a small e-reader, anyway, but some folks might want a kickstand — something this case doesn't have.

So while I'll note that this doesn't have a kickstand or some way to prop the Boox Palma up, I've never found a reason to do this with the Palma. That's because it's already a small e-reader — the size of most phones — and has never felt burdensome in my hands the way larger e-readers can.

Tudia's cases are super protective and add an important layer of grip to the Palma, something that's sorely needed with the matte plastic sides. While I love the texture of the back of the Palma, I've found it doesn't do too much to add grip while holding it in a reading position.

If you're looking to keep the Palma looking the way it came but add a bit of shine, I recommend the Clear Glitter Tudia SKN colorway. It adds a bit of mystique to the already wonderful device and gives it an eye-catching look it otherwise doesn't have.

Quick links

• Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial: Most deals are Prime-exclusive 
• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India
• Android Central Prime Day deals: phones | wearables | tablets | TVs 
• Rival sales: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Newegg | HP | Target 

One of the things that I love about foldable phones is that I can use them for everything from playing games to getting work done or trying to force myself to read a book. The versatility offered by foldable phones is also one of the biggest hindrances, as I'm easily distracted, so I'll start reading something and then a notification will come in and I'll end up forgetting what I was doing.

That's just one of the problems that I've been attempting to solve with the Onyx Boox Page, a 7-inch E Ink tablet with access to the Play Store. However, the journey of making this my go-to reading device has proven to be more of an adventure than I thought.

The problems first arose as soon as I took the Page out of the box and started trying to get everything set up. For one reason or another, it just would not connect to my home Wi-Fi network. I tried everything I could think of before stumbling across others who had the same problem.

It seems that if you have your network set up to use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, some devices just won't connect, including the Page. Thankfully, I use the TP-Link Deco X90, so all I had to do was quickly set up a guest network that only uses 2.4GHz. After getting the Page connected, it was pretty much smooth sailing. I was even able to switch back to my primary network after installing a software update.

Considering that the Boox Page is the successor to the Boox Leaf 2 that I've already reviewed, I'm already pretty familiar with the form factor and what to expect. One of the nice things, however, is that unlike the Leaf 2, I didn't need to jump through a bunch of hoops to get the Play Store installed.

Within minutes, I had the Kindle and Play Books apps installed, giving me access to my library of e-books, all without needing to fiddle around or worry about being limited to what's available in Onyx's own Boox Store. While Onyx packs its store full of free books, you won't find anything recent on tap. It's still kind of frustrating, but I guess it's there if you're really trying to avoid using either Google or Amazon's digital storefronts.

Now that everything was set up and I got signed into the apps I installed, the reading experience with the Boox Page is just what I expected. The backlit screen is nice, automatically adjusting based on the light around me. Onyx has also done a great job of providing plenty of settings to adjust and tinker with how the screen looks and operates.

Unlike trying to use something like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or OnePlus Open, the 7-inch Boox Page is lightweight and comfortable to hold. Sure, it might not fold up for me to throw it in my front pocket, but it's an e-reader, not a phone.

As for the rest of the hardware, this is about as solid of a build as it comes, despite being made from a combination of glass and plastic. I actually had to double-check the official specs just to make sure that this wasn't aluminum because that's how good it feels.

Much like its predecessor, the Boox Page also has the added benefit of offering dual page-turning buttons on the front. These work as you'd expect, but there's a bit of a twist. If you dive into the Settings app, you can customize how the buttons work in other apps.

By default, any non-reading apps will just adjust the volume up or down. However, I replaced that shortcut with "Scrolling" whenever I'm browsing the web in EInkBro or catching up on my reading list in Instapaper. Onyx even includes long-press shortcuts, which come in quite handy as I can manually invoke the screen refresh functionality or pull up the E Ink Center to change settings on the fly. I still keep the "NaviBall" enabled, but it's often just minimized and moved out of my way unless I need it in a pinch for something else.

Outside of reading books, browsing the web, or catching up on your reading list, you're not really going to venture outside the world of words. That means when it comes to watching videos, you're better off just grabbing your phone. It's really not worth trying to torture yourself even if you enjoy using the Boox Page that much.

The same sentiment rings true for games outside of maybe Wordle, Sudoku, or a crossword puzzle. Just for fun, I wanted to see what the experience would be like when loading up the original Legend of Zelda for NES. Surprisingly, it didn't look as bad as I thought it would, and I didn't even need to manually refresh the screen all that often.

What I did need to do is pair a controller with the Boox Page because it's almost impossible to see the on-screen controls with the NES emulator I was using. But again, this isn't the intended use case, so I don't really recommend any gaming or watching videos here.

Parlor tricks aside, I really do enjoy the Boox Page and what it offers as not just an e-reader but also as an E Ink tablet. It's not cumbersome to hold and use, even with one hand, and the buttons on the front are a nice inclusion. I haven't really mentioned battery life because, frankly, it's been just as good as one would hope. The Page is always ready for me to pick up where I left off, and I haven't encountered any issues that I can remember.

The elephant in the room, however, is the price. Amazon no longer sells the Oasis, which would be the most comparable model given that it, too, featured page-turning buttons. With that in mind, the Page and its $249 retail price is just $5 less than the Kindle Scribe but is much smaller, lacks an IP rating, and doesn't offer stylus compatibility.

On the other hand, thanks to the inclusion of the Play Store, you're not limited to only using Amazon's Kindle app to read your books. Even still, with the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition priced at $190, the added functionality might not be enough to justify the additional $60 for some.

It's also worth mentioning that Onyx doesn't have the greatest track record with software support. Occasionally, you'll see a random update come through that might fix some bugs or add a few features. But don't expect to see one arrive with Android 12 in tow, let alone Android 14. It's really fine for the time being, but with Android 15 around the corner, it's a bit of a let-down. Then again, it's an e-reader, first and foremost, and until the Play Books or Kindle apps stop supporting Android 11, it really won't be much of an issue.

That all being said, I really do like what Onyx is doing with its various e-readers and E Ink tablets. There are enough features to help differentiate these from much of the competition. As for the Boox Page, if you're willing to make a few concessions, it's definitely worth every penny.

Onyx has managed to carving out a niche in the e-reader category on the back of exciting launches, with devices like the Boox Palma serving a unique use case. It's aiming to do something similar with the Boox Note Air 3, a large e-reader that has several differentiating features.

The Boox Note Air 3 is designed to take notes, and it does a great job in that area. But you also get a full-fledged version of Android, and that lets you install apps from the Play Store and use it as a tablet. While I'm testing the monochrome version of the device, Onyx sells the Boox Note Air 3 with a color screen as well.

Clearly, there's a lot on offer with the Boox Note Air 3, and after using it for two months, I'm convinced that this is one of the best e-readers if you want a large screen.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Pricing and release date

Onyx unveiled the Boox Note Air 3 in October 2023, and the e-reader is now available in all global markets where the brand has an official presence. The standard variant of the Boox Note Air 3 comes with a stylus and magnetic case (which is really good), and it costs $399. There's a stylus bundle that includes a better-quality stylus in addition to the standard one, and this variant is available for $447 at Boox's website.

Onyx makes a variant of the Boox Note Air 3 with a color screen, and this is called the Boox Note Air 3C. This costs $499 for the standard model that includes the stylus and magnetic case, and the stylus model is $547.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Design

The Boox Note Air 3 looks every bit as premium as its price tag suggests, with the e-reader featuring an aluminum chassis that's great to hold and use. The brushed metal design is elegant, the rounded edges make it comfortable to hold the e-reader, and while it is quite heavy at 450g, the weight is balanced well.

I like the orange accents at the back and around the USB-C charging port, and this adds some vibrancy. The Boox Note Air 3 has an asymmetrical design — similar to the Kindle Oasis — and this makes a big difference in daily use. That said, there are no physical page turn buttons, and that lack of tactility when turning pages makes reading books on the e-reader a little less fun.

Another feature that's missing is ingress protection; the Boox Note Air 3 isn't resistant to dust or water, and that limits its versatility to a great extent. That said, the sheer size of the e-reader means it isn't exactly practical to carry it to the pool — like you would a Kindle — but it is still a letdown.

You get sizeable bezels around the 10.3-inch screen, and while it is more than double the weight of the Kindle Oasis, you get a considerably larger screen. The USB-C port is mounted on the left, along with two speakers. While they have large drivers, the sound quality isn't particularly detailed, and they don't get loud. They're serviceable for podcasts, but if you want to listen to music, you should really use earbuds.

What I particularly like is that there's a case bundled in the package, and it is of a good quality. It attaches magnetically to the e-reader, folds into two different configurations, and offers adequate protection when the Boox Note Air 3 isn't in use.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Display and hardware

I used over a dozen e-readers up to this point, but they've all had medium-sized screens. The Boox Note Air 3, on the other hand, has a 10.3-inch panel, and the difference was absolutely evident from the moment I started using the e-reader.

The panel itself is an E Ink Carta 1200, and with a resolution of 1872 x 1404, you get an effective pixel density of 227PPI. That's more than adequate for an e-reader, and in the two months I used the Boox Note Air 3, I didn't notice any issues with the panel.

Switching over to the hardware, the Boox Note Air 3 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680, and while you won't find it on any phone, it does a good job on the e-reader. You also get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, Wi-Fi ac, and Bluetooth 5.0. There's an accelerometer that switches the orientation of the screen based on what hand you're holding the e-reader, but it isn't as smooth as the Kindle Oasis. You also get a MicroSD slot if you want to extend the storage.

The Boox Note Air 3 has a 3,700mAh battery, and the e-reader lasts a week between charges even with heavy use. I read two books over the course of a week and took notes daily, and the battery was still a very reasonable 30%. The e-reader charges at 15W, and it takes well over 90 minutes to charge the battery.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Performance

Reading on the Boox Note Air 3 is an absolute joy; the large 10.3-inch screen is terrific in this regard. It doesn't have the same pixel density as the Kindle Oasis, but that doesn't really make a huge difference in daily use, and text is clear. There is some ghosting at times, but it isn't noticeable, and this is an issue with all e-readers that use E Ink panels anyway.

The e-reader has a built-in NeoReader utility that works with all major formats — including EPUB, MOBI, PDF, AZW3, CBR, and so on — and you can change the font size, choose from a selection of fonts or install your own, and so much more.

NeoReader has a tabbed interface that's ideal if you're switching between documents, and you can easily annotate via the bundled stylus. On that note, the stylus has 4,096 level of pressure sensitivity, and it is outstanding at taking notes. I normally use a Lamy Safari and Leuchtturm1917 notebooks to journal and take notes, and while the e-reader doesn't quite match the feeling of a fountain pen, it comes mighty close.

It's also particularly good at sketching. My wife is an artist, and she uses an iPad Air along with an Apple Pencil to paint digitally. She mentioned that the Boox Note Air 3's stylus has a slight delay when creating strokes, and that there's no way to duplicate a layer of copy large drawings.

On the whole, the Boox Note Air 3 is a great choice if you're looking for a large e-reader that doubles as a note-taking device.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Software

Onyx offers a custom version of Android on the Boox Note Air 3, and while Android 12 is outdated at this point, the device will get three platform updates. While it's great that the e-reader runs Android, you can't do much with it outside of reading, note-taking, and sketching. The E Ink tech just doesn't play well with video content, and even scrolling through web pages, you can make out distinct afterimages.

You get 10GB of cloud storage as standard with an Onyx account, giving you plenty of storage for all of your books and notes. Onyx has a lot of pre-installed utilities — including a clock, recorder, calculator, and so on — but the fact that you get the Play Store means you can install just about anything you want.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: The competition

The Kindle Scribe is a great alternative if you need a large e-reader to take notes. It gives you easy access to Amazon's ecosystem, comes with plenty of useful features, and at $255, it is affordable.

Then there's the reMarkable 2. It is the definitive note-taking device, and while it is costlier, it is lighter, has a sleeker design, and does an even better job at taking notes.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You want a large e-reader that's great for reading and taking notes
• You need the extensibility of Android
• You want an e-reader that lasts a week between charges
• You need a bundled stylus

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You want physical page turn buttons
• You need ingress protection

Other than the lack of ingress protection and physical page turn buttons, I can't really find any faults. Onyx clearly knows what it's doing, and the Boox Note Air 3 is one of the best e-readers currently available. The large 10.3-inch screen is great for reading e-books and browsing, and it doubles as a fantastic digital note-taking device— all thanks to that bundled stylus.

The fact that you have full access to the Play Store is an added bonus; you just don't get that versatility with many other e-readers. Battery life is outstanding, the metallic chassis is durable, and there's plenty of customizability — much more so than what you get with other e-readers.

When I think back on all the years I used a Kindle, I'm amazed it took so long for a thriving alternative to pop up. Kindles are great, don't get me wrong, but they're very much entrenched in Amazon's walled garden, and it takes a lot of work to get out of that.

Enter Onyx, a company that makes the best e-ink tablets that are all powered by Android. The Boox Palma is one of the newest "tablets" by the company, but it doesn't fit that description particularly well because it's the size of a phone, not a tablet. And this size is just one of the many things that makes the Palma the perfect e-reader.

Unlike a Kindle, you can get your books, apps, or whatever you want from anywhere you want. It's got the Google Play Store preinstalled, but any Android app can be installed here, opening up the number of reading resources by several magnitudes. The display is even good enough to watch videos or play games on, and the processor delivers not only impressive power but also better battery life.

In a nutshell, you won't find a better e-reader anywhere unless you want something larger, of course.

Where can you buy the Onyx Boox Palma?

The Onyx Boox Palma released in mid-September at a price of $279.99. The Palma comes in white and black colorways and is sold at retailers like B&H Photo as well as the official Boox website.

In the box, you'll the the Palma unit, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a tool to eject the MicroSD card tray, and a small manual. At the time of this writing, Onyx ships each Palma with a free TPU case, although that could change in the future.

Comfort at the forefront

The Onyx Boox Palma feels incredibly good to hold in hand for a long time. It's far more comfortable than any book I've ever held, and it's 20-30% lighter than popular e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite.

Onyx even decked out the back with a rough paper-like texture, which can add some minor additional grip. I still prefer a soft-touch or leather-like material, but there's no case that offers this just yet.

Onyx has its own TPU case that ships for free with any Palma, but I'm not a huge fan of these kinds of rubbery, flimsy cases. Hopefully, someone will have a decent case for the thing on Amazon soon.

Since it's the size of a phone, it's easy to bring with you anywhere you want to go, and the all-plastic build — yes, even over the display — means it's not likely you'll break it even if you drop it.

It's got a USB-C port on the bottom, a single bottom-firing speaker, a power button and volume rocker on the right side, and a microSD tray next to a customizable side key on the left side. There's even a camera around the back with an LED flash that can be used for anything, although Onyx intends it mainly for document scanning.

The sides are nicely contoured and built with a plastic that's grippier than the hard, slippery plastic that some cheaper phones are built with. That's great for holding in the hand for long periods of time.

The only thing really missing from the hardware is a haptic feedback engine, which means you won't feel rumble feedback when typing on the virtual keyboard or playing games.

The real star of the show is Onyx's E Ink Carta 1200 display which shines below the matte covering on top. This display isn't just beautifully pixel-dense and crisp, its ultrafast refresh rate means you can even watch videos or play games on this e-ink device.

Not all games and videos will work as well, though, as E Ink still struggles with high-contrast or dark imagery, so your mileage may vary here. Still, I was impressed with the breadth of possibilities on what I initially only thought of as a fancy e-reader.

You'll be able to choose from five different refresh rate types by swiping up on the bottom-right corner of the display, each of which is built for different types of apps. Each selection sports an easy-to-understand description below, helping make your decision clearer. When in doubt, the Balanced mode is usually best.

Better yet, the backlight behind the display is completely PWM-free, making it the perfect choice for folks who are PWM-sensitive. It even has a color temperature adjustment option right in the notification shade, letting you effortlessly adjust the brightness and color temperature with a flick, no matter what app you're using.

Android does it all

Because this is powered by Android 11 and comes with the Google Play Store preinstalled, you can do quite literally anything you want on this pocket-sized e-reader. I promptly installed the library app Libby, as well as Google Play Books, the Kindle app, and the Bible, and I have regularly used all of these apps for the past few months since I started the review process.

Sure, you can link your Kindle or Kobo to the Libby app and have it sync with what you choose on your phone, but isn't it just nicer to do it all from one app on one device? Not to mention all the books I regularly buy on Google Play Books because of the regular sales Google holds.

I can even read my legacy Kindle library on it, although Amazon makes it notoriously difficult to buy books from the Kindle app these days. Still, if you're already well-entrenched in Amazon's Kindle store and don't want to give up the library, this device is the perfect choice since you won't have to.

When using the Palma mainly for reading books or light web browsing, you'll find the battery lasts for months at a time. After the first 64 days of use, the Palma still had 24% battery left.

On my second charge, I installed a bunch of additional apps, watched a few videos for testing, and played a few games. After nine days of use, it's still at 67%, with the device estimating I'll get another 21 days of use before needing to charge it again. I mostly used it with the backlight off, but the Palma will still last you several days on a single charge if you choose to use the backlight all the time.

In other words, you'll never worry about battery life. And since it's USB-C, finding a charger won't be a problem, either.

Despite this epic battery life, the octa-core processor inside was powerful enough to run games like Warcraft Rumble and Vampire Survivors, although I probably wouldn't recommend the latter very much since the lack of color makes it difficult to identify things in the game when it gets hectic.

And don't get me wrong, this thing isn't blazing fast. It's not going to replace your phone unless you're very patient, and although you can play something like Minecraft on it, you probably won't want to. Still, it's impressive that both the processor and display are capable enough to run things like this, even if they're only mainly good for demonstration purposes.

A note on security

Over the years, a lot of accusations have been flung towards Onyx for good reason. The company's privacy policy was a joke for a long time, although they've substantially improved it since.

One Reddit post from 3 years ago noted that the privacy policy allowed Onyx to use your information for anything they see fit. These days, you'll find no such mention in the privacy policy. Instead, most of it is pretty standard fare, including a note that Onyx does not share data with third parties.

Videos as recent as last year show the Ksync process "phones home" at regular intervals but doesn't transmit any data beyond a ping. Using the same NetGuard tool, I was able to verify that Ksync does not ping QQ servers or Ali Express on the Palma.

From what I can tell, this is a far more secure and private device than Onyx Boox devices of old.

The best small e-reader today

If you're buying the Palma as an e-reader to replace an old Kindle or are just looking into getting something a little more eye-friendly than your phone for reading or browsing, the Onyx Boox Palma will blow you away.

When I started looking for e-readers with more functionality earlier this year, I didn't imagine something like the Boox Palma would show up so soon. If nothing, the worst part of the Palma is finding where to buy one. The product has been notoriously out of stock since its launch.

But if you can find one, I guarantee you'll be impressed. This is the best e-reader I've ever used.

Onyx Boox creates intriguing e-paper devices with both colored and B&W displays in all sizes. The brand's flagship E Ink tablet series features the Tab Ultra and Tab Ultra C, its colored counterpart.

Android Central's very own Andrew Myrick recently reviewed the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra and commended it for its prowess. After spending a good few months with the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C, I cannot help but agree with him. These are some fine e-paper devices, and we have nothing but praise for them — except in a few minor areas.

Not only did I put the Tab Ultra C to the test as a full-time working adult, but I also reviewed it from the perspective of a college-going student. The timing couldn't have been more perfect as I just decided to pick up school again. So, here's how the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C has fared in my experience.

Price and availability

The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C was announced in January 2023 and went on sale in May 2023. It is the colored version of the brand's other flagship tablet, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra. A third e-ink tablet called the Tab X was also released alongside the Tab Ultra C.

You can grab the Tab Ultra C from Onyx Boox itself or any major retailer such as Amazon or Best Buy. The colored e-paper device starts at $599.99 and comes with the Pen2 Pro stylus. A keyboard case can be bought separately for another $110. It's the same magnetic "Three-fold Case" that's compatible with the B&W variant of the tablet.

All you could ask for in an e-paper device

Onyx Boox does not intend to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 or the Apple iPad Pro in any way, as tablets such as the Tab Ultra C are meant to be e-readers with extra capabilities. These tabs have E Ink displays, and as such, you're meant to use them for hours on end without feeling eye discomfort and without having to charge them constantly.

With that in mind, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C is an absolute beauty. The 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 E Ink color display has adjustable front lights, an anti-glare finish, great stylus response with support for 4,096 pressure levels, and adjustable brightness and contrast settings. It looks very much like printed paper, with the huge advantage of being kind to the environment because you can reuse it again and again instead of dumping it in the bin once the pages run out.

It's hard to get over the sleek metal body that weighs only 480g. Even with the magnetic stylus and keyboard case, the Tab Ultra C doesn't feel bulky or heavy in hand. The dual speakers, microphone, microSD card slot, and USB-C port are all placed in just the right places. You even get a fingerprint sensor built into the power button, and it works nicely.

There's no volume rocker, but that's easily replaced by swiping up and down along the left and right bezels. The same can be done to adjust the brightness, plus you can customize this function.

The Tab Ultra C has a 16MP rear camera that's meant to scan documents, which you can then edit, annotate, and convert on the tab. Although it's not meant to be used as a camera, you can easily download any camera app from the Play Store and use it to snap pictures. I actually did this just for the fun of it and it works alright. The image quality is pretty trash, but it's still good enough to scan documents.

See, that's the thing about the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C. It's not supposed to do certain things, but the fact that you can just makes it so much better. For instance, videos are horrendous, but being able to play them is nice. You can install virtually any Android app on the Tab Ultra C, and it might just work, even if it looks awful. This isn't something any other e-reader or e-note offers you as companies like Amazon and ReMarkable lock up their e-paper tablets and restrict users, preventing them from experimenting and pushing those devices to their limits.

Since there's Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi onboard, you can download, browse, and stream anything from the internet. I thoroughly enjoyed adding Google Drive, Spotify, and the Kindle app to the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C.

And there are additional tools built into the UI that take things to the next level. The Tab Ultra C has really cool and practical tools like screen recording, screencasting, and a split-screen mode. You can disable touch detection from the Control Center, which appears when you swipe down from the top-right side. The tablet detects when the magnetic keyboard is attached and automatically connects to the tablet. It detects the orientation and changes it, too.

At all times, the Tab Ultra C gives you complete control over the display's color temperature, contrast, brightness, saturation, depth, and more. You can manually force the screen to refresh if there's any minor ghosting, and there's even an airplane mode to turn off all the connectivity modules, just like any other modern mobile device. If you want additional accessibility, you can enable the navigational ball that sits on top of all apps and menus. Just like tiles in the Quick Settings menu on Android, you can edit the Control Center of your Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C.

If you don't feel like 128GB is enough, you can always use a USB-C thumb drive or a microSD card with the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C. The onboard stereo speakers are decent and work well for audiobooks and podcasts. You can also connect wireless speakers or headphones as well, thanks to Bluetooth.

The 6,300mAh battery goes on and on for one and a half to two weeks with heavy use. You get USB-C fast charging when that runs out, so topping it up is no trouble at all.

The native reading app is excellent and supports a ton of file formats. You'll like the native writing app as well because it has a lot of presets for different types of notebooks and has plenty of tools. The OCR, or optical character recognition, is particularly good, and just the fact that the Tab Ultra C has this feature sticks it in the face of popular competing products like the Kindle Scribe.

Speaking of OCR, the Onyx Boox Pen2 Pro is an exceptionally comfy stylus to use. The pressure sensitivity and tilt detection are fantastic, it has an ergonomic grip, and there's an eraser on the back of the Pen2 Pro. Since it's an EMR stylus, you don't need to charge it, and it works with almost all other Boox tablets with a Wacom layer on top.

Still not a full-fledged Android tablet

Despite all of its great skills and functionalities, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C is not a full-fledged Android tablet, and it never will be. You cannot expect it to perform as snappily as a regular LCD or OLED mobile device because e-paper displays are just not as advanced. The video playback is garbage, and many Android apps just aren't optimized for the Tab Ultra C.

All of these caveats are okay, as the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C is not meant to be used in that way. However, this E Ink tablet definitely needs to be waterproofed. It lacks an IP rating of any kind, rendering it useless on a rainy day. I can't begin to express the level of anxiety I faced when it started drizzling during class, and I realized I did not have a waterproof backpack with me. Neither students nor working adults need or want such worries in their lives.

It's insane that a $600 tablet can be fried in the rain in this day and age. To make matters worse, this expensive Android tablet does not even come with the magnetic keyboard case. You need to spend another $110 to get your hands on the Tab Ultra C keyboard case, which is an excellent add-on for the tablet.

Competition

If you're bent on getting an e-paper tablet, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra is a great alternative to the Tab Ultra C. It has exactly the same specs, but it costs nearly $100 cheaper, though you do have to trade off a color display for that price.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is another decent E Ink tablet that comes with a stylus. Although the $340 Kindle Scribe is a lot cheaper, Amazon restricts access to the Play Store, severely limiting the capability of the device. So, it really isn't a proper competitor for the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C.

Of course, you can always forgo the e-paper aspect altogether and opt for a flagship Android tablet like the Galaxy Tab S9 or something cheaper like the Amazon Fire Max 11. Both tabs support styli and keyboards, but they don't have batteries that last for weeks or paper-like displays that are easy on the eyes.

Should you get it?

You should buy this if...

• You want a no-holes-barred E Ink tablet
• You need expandable storage
• You want keyboard and stylus support
• You want unrestricted access to the Play Store
• You want a colored e-paper display
• You want week-long battery life

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You need something snappy like the Tab S9
• You don't have such a big budget
• You want something waterproof

The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C is versatile, non-intrusive, focus-oriented, and non-distractive. The reading, writing, and other productivity use cases are excellent for work and studies, so much so that the tab has become my steady companion to class over the past few months. In fact, I wrote this review almost entirely on my test unit of the Tab Ultra C.

It's so easy to depend on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C as a student or working professional. If your job involves high volumes of writing, annotating, or reading, it's the perfect companion accessory. The tablet's ghosting issues and performance have been markedly improved over preceding generations of Onyx Boox tablets.

All things considered, this is the ultimate E Ink tablet on the market right now. If you've got the money for it, go ahead and treat yourself. You won't regret it one bit.

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to try out my fair share of tablets, many of which have run Android, but nothing quite like the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra. E Ink tablets have intrigued me, not just because of the ability to read books, but because they seem to be getting more and more useful every year.

The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra isn't your ordinary E Ink tablet, as it actually runs Android 11. This means that you aren't stuck with relying on Onyx's built-in bookstore, but can just install either the Amazon Kindle app or Google Play Books and have your entire library.

But there are a lot of different aspects of the Boox Tab Ultra to consider, besides just being an 11-inch e-reader. So let's dive in and see whether it's worth the money, or if you would be better served with something different.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Price and availability

The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra retails for $599 and includes the company's Pen2 Pro stylus in the box. It's currently available at a variety of retailers including Best Buy, B&H Photo, and others.

Onyx also offers a magnetic "Three-fold Case" which retails for $50, and a Magnetic Keyboard Cover that comes in at $110. Neither of these are available with the Boox Tab Ultra, so you'll need to pay a bit more if you want the full experience.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Impressive versatility

Versatile E Ink tablets are nothing new, as I've spent the last couple of years pondering whether I should pick up a Remarkable 2 for different reasons. But the inclusion of the Play Store with the Boox Tab Ultra really offers a different experience, especially for those (like me) who are easily distracted.

Instead of playing around with my home screens or trying to figure out whether I can use a tablet as a laptop replacement, the Boox Tab Ultra reminds me a lot of the original iPad. It's a device that you use to get one thing done at a time, instead of trying to split-screen windows or connect the tablet to an external display.

For me, the Boox Tab Ultra has turned into the tablet that I want to carry with me everywhere, even if I'm not using it to write. Between the magnetic pen and the Keyboard Cover, this tablet is almost my ideal device for sitting down and just writing. In some instances that's not exactly the greatest experience, as I'll end up pulling out my phone to look something up. But I've been re-teaching myself to not get inundated with too many screens.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: It runs Android

This brings me to my next point and something I've mentioned already, as this runs Android 11, complete with the Play Store. Because of that, I'm able to download my writing app of choice (Obsidian) and just start pecking away at the keyboard.

But what really "sells" this for me is the fact that I know I won't have much of an enjoyable experience trying to watch YouTube or Netflix on an E Ink display. Sure, it's possible but it's really not great and not something I'd recommend.

Maybe there's another app out there, similar to EInkBro for browsing, but I haven't found it yet. Speaking of which, that's another benefit of having Android on this tablet because I can install apps outside of the Play Store. Chrome works fine on the Boox Tab Ultra, but after discovering EInkBro while writing my Onyx Boox Leaf 2 review, I don't think I'll be going back to Chrome on here.

If there's one thing that using the Boox Tab Ultra has taught me, it's to slow down. The interface isn't fast and sometimes you have to wait a second for a swipe to be registered between screens. Suffice it to say, it's not like this is going to challenge the Galaxy Tab S9, let alone the iPad. But it's not supposed to.

Downloading apps from the Play Store is a "nice to have" and as I mentioned before, you probably won't be playing games or watching movies on here. It's an e-reader and a companion note-taking device, and it does those things extremely well. If anything, you'll want to reset your brain and think about using the Tab Ultra differently than your other devices.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Ready to write

Adding another layer of versatility to the Boox Tab Ultra is the included stylus. I'm a huge sucker for pens and notebooks, always keeping one near me, even if it's just a stylus with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. It's one of the reasons why I wish Google would've included stylus support on the Pixel Fold, but I digress.

Onyx includes a note-taking app that's pre-installed, so you don't need to try and track one down that will work well with an E Ink display. It's been so good for me, that the Boox Tab Ultra now resides on the right side of my desk whenever I'm home. If I need to jot down a quick note of something to do or an idea to present, I can just write it down.

The latency is pretty darn good, and there are a bunch of different options in the app to customize things like the writing style, insert objects, and create different notebooks. For the sake of testing, I also downloaded Squid Notes and Google Keep just to see if there was any difference. Neither app came close to being able to match what the built-in Notes app offers.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Not always ideal

To this point, I've been gushing pretty hard about the Tab Ultra, but there are still some things that I'm still getting used to or just don't like. For one, this is quite a hefty beast if you want to use it strictly as an e-reader. Don't get me wrong, it's a joy to use if I manage to find some quiet time and want to catch up on a book (or go through my read-it-later list.) But if you asked me to pick between this and either the Z Fold 5 or Pixel Fold just for reading, I'd go with one of the foldable phones.

Some of that also has to do with the "screen refresh" as you'll have to deal with a lot of fragmentation from content shown on the screen. Because of this, I've enabled the ultra-useful Navigation Ball, so I can get a clean background with just two taps.

Of course, that's just something you'll have to deal with when it comes to E Ink displays, but I still thought it was worth pointing out. And before you run to the comments, yes, I've tinkered with the built-in screen refresh tools, but I still feel the need to manually refresh the screen every once in a while.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Reading experience

One of my biggest frustrations with the Boox Tab Ultra is the Boox Store itself. As I noted in the Leaf 2 review, the Boox Store is filled with many of the same books that never left the library shelves in school, unless you had an assignment due. Timeless classics for sure, but nothing that I've found even remotely interesting to read now.

Instead, I just fire up the Kindle app or Play Books and am on my merry way. But I will give Onyx some credit because it's beyond easy to transfer files to the Boox Tab Ultra thanks to the BOOXDrop app. Basically, you just turn it on, navigate to the website provided, and then select the files from the "host" device. And after a few minutes, they'll appear on the Tab Ultra for your reading pleasure.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Keyboard gripes

Since I've spent so much time talking about the typing experience on the Boox Tab Ultra, let me touch on the Keyboard Cover itself. For one, I'm a sucker for a good chiclet-style keyboard, and I think Onyx almost nailed it. The key travel is chef's kiss, and I don't feel the same type of pain that I do when I use Samsung's Book Cover Keyboard or the "Butterfly" keyboard from the old MacBook Pro.

However, if there's one thing that I would've liked to see Onyx implement, it would be backlit keys. It's fine just typing at a coffee shop or at my desk in my office, but I'm not really a big fan of relying on the tablet's backlighting to make sure I'm hitting the right function key combination.

This one's a bit more of a nitpick than anything else, but I also wish the Keyboard Cover allowed for different angles. There's only one angle that you can use with the Tab Ultra, which is fine for most scenarios, but another angle would've been nice. This probably has to do with the fact that the keyboard attaches to the tablet using POGO pins, but still.

Worse comes to worse, you can just pair a Bluetooth keyboard with the Tab Ultra and use a stand or the company's folio case. Then again, I might be in the minority for those who will actually use the Tab Ultra for work as opposed to just using my computer.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: The competition

When it comes to the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra's competitors, the most obvious option is the Remarkable 2. Unlike the Tab Ultra, it doesn't run Android meaning that you won't have the luxury of installing the Amazon Kindle or Google Play Books app. But you could make an argument that the popularity of the Remarkable tablets opened the door for Onyx and others to expand the world of E Ink tablets. That being said, the Remarkable 2 has been out for more than three years, and we don't know when/if a successor will be released.

Amazon finally got in on the E Ink tablet fun with the release of the Kindle Scribe in late 2022. This obviously makes it so you can have instant access to your Kindle library, but you're out of luck if you use Play Books. Even still, the Scribe seems to be a pretty good option, especially if you want a Kindle Oasis with a stylus. 

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You're looking for productivity-focused E Ink tablet. 
• You want a tablet that is great for writing down notes or marking up documents.
• You want an E Ink tablet that also has access to the Google Play Store.

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You're on a budget.
• You're looking for a general-purpose tablet. 

I can't stress enough how much I've enjoyed using the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra. There are definitely some quirks, but if you temper your expectations, this E Ink tablet can really transform the way you do different tasks. And you don't even have to worry about converting or transferring files, as you can just install your reading app or service of choice from the Play Store.

That being said, the Boox Tab Ultra does cost a pretty penny, and while Onyx includes a stylus in the box, you'll have to pay even more if you want the keyboard. At that point, you might be better off just grabbing the Remarkable 2, or even an iPad paired with an Apple Pencil.

As someone who writes thousands of words every week, I've always managed to struggle when it comes to sitting down and actually reading a book. This wasn't always the case, but as I've gotten older, I've tried different ways to get back into reading. But the truth is that books are heavy and cumbersome, laying the groundwork for me to try out a few different e-readers.

I'm not "in tune" with the world of e-readers, but as someone on the outside looking in, I've always been intrigued by what Onyx is doing with its various Boox e-readers. The Onyx Boox Leaf 2, an Android-powered competitor to the Kindle Oasis, is kicking off my venture back into reading books on a regular basis.

Onyx Boox Leaf 2: Price and availability

The Onyx Boox Leaf 2 is available in two different colors, black and white, and retails for $199. For this, you'll get 32GB of storage along with 10GB of free cloud storage. In the box, you'll find the Leaf 2, along with a USB-C charging cable.

Onyx Boox Leaf 2: What you'll like

At first glance, the Leaf 2 really just looks like a Kindle Oasis designed for left-handed users, as the page-turning buttons are on the left, as opposed to the right. But to me, I was comparing this more to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (or Fold 4), as that's what I've been using whenever it comes to reading.

Admittedly, it was a bit jarring going from the fluid 120Hz AMOLED display on the Fold 5 to the E Ink screen on the Leaf 2. Thankfully, Onyx has implemented a few different options for its "Refresh Modes." There are a total of four of these modes, each of which is aimed at ensuring that your experience is tailor-made to whatever it is that you're doing.

Of course, it's a completely different experience, but I have to admit that I was surprised at just how crisp the Leaf 2's screen looks. Much of that can be attributed to the 300 ppi paired with the 1680 x 1264 resolution. I never felt like I had to really mess around with the display settings, besides changing the refresh mode.

As for the actual reading experience, I just ended up making use of the built-in BooxDrop functionality to transfer some books over to the Leaf 2. Onyx really nailed this experience, provided that you already have your books and other content available in one of the numerous compatible formats.

While I'm right-handed, I generally use my left hand to hold my phone most of the time. Because of that, I actually enjoyed the page-turn buttons being on the left side, and they were really responsive. I even tried "tripping it up" by pressing the "page forward" button a bunch of times, but the Leaf 2 caught up after a few seconds.

Admittedly, the software interface itself does take a bit to be used to, but Onyx does a good job at not pre-installing too many apps. And because the Leaf 2 is running Android, you can also sideload APK files. This allowed me to install EInkBro, an open-sourced web browser designed for E Ink displays, and FeedMe so I can enjoy my RSS feeds without reaching for my phone.

Onyx Boox Leaf 2: What you won't

Much like the best Kindle e-readers, Onyx is making use of a modified and tailor-made version of Android. While I thought this was pretty awesome, I quickly realized that it's not all sunshine and roses. For one, the Google Play Store, while available, is not enabled by default.

Instead, you'll need to manually enable it before you can try downloading some apps. Even then, you might have to wait for up to 24 hours before attempting to sign in, otherwise, you'll be greeted with a "This device isn't Play Protect certified" message that appears.

Another particular frustration that I came across is that the included "Store" doesn't really have much of an interesting selection. Sure, you'll be able to find a few of the "classics," but that's pretty much it. There's not even an option to view or purchase books from the New York Times Best Sellers list.

While I know and understand that the Leaf 2 is "just" an e-reader powered by Android, I think the company is missing out on a key feature. I would have loved to have seen stylus support in some capacity, as the Leaf's 2 design and the 7-inch screen would have been great to have just as a notepad. You can make highlights when reading, but it's not quite the same as being able to add some annotations or have a separate notes app altogether.

Onyx Boox Leaf 2: The competition

It's pretty apparent that Onyx aimed the Leaf 2 directly at the Kindle Oasis, another e-reader with a 7-inch display and the aforementioned page-turn buttons. But the biggest difference with the Leaf 2 is that you can install any app from the Play Store. So really, you could turn the Leaf 2 into a Kindle Oasis with extra functionality and not have to worry about ads on your Lock Screen.

Another e-reader that punches closer to the Leaf 2 in terms of price is the Kobo Libra 2. Kobo's offering also features a 7-inch display, along with 323GB of storage, and page-turn buttons on the right. Kobo even has a leg up on the Leaf 2 as it's waterproof, so you can sit back and relax with your favorite book in the bath after a long day. Something that you could probably get away with on the Leaf 2, but with less confidence since there's no water resistance.

Onyx Boox Leaf 2: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You want a thin and lightweight 7-inch e-reader.
• You are a lefty or use devices with your left-hand.
• You want an e-reader that that includes access to the Play Store.

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You don't feel comfortable fiddling around with enabling the Play Store.
• You want a more robust selection from the built-in e-book store.
• You want an e-reader with a water resistance rating.

The Boox Leaf 2 from Onyx is my first experience using the company's products, and for the most part, I've enjoyed my time with it. I have a few other Onyx reviews lined up of all different shapes and sizes, so it'll be interesting to see whether my opinion changes. But until then, I'll be keeping the Leaf 2 in my bag whenever I leave the house.

Onyx Boox is an interesting company that has has one foot in the Android tablet sphere and the other in the world of e-readers. What this has resulted in is an interesting concoction of highly versatile Android-based e-readers that moonlight as tablets. Traditionally, e-ink devices were limited to B&W display panels. Thanks to the efforts of the E Ink Corporation, we now have e-paper technology that is capable of displaying colors.

Onyx Boox hasn't made many color e-readers just yet as the technology is fairly new. The first generation of colorized Onyx Boox tablets consisted of the Poke 2 Color, followed by the second-gen Onyx Boox Nova3 Color. The third and most recent iteration has only just made its debut and it is called the Onyx Boox Nova Air C.

Bearing my colleague's sentiments about the Nova3 Color in mind, I cautiously started testing the Nova Air C sample I received from Onyx Boox. I tried to keep an open mind while also keeping my hopes in check. After all, the Onyx Boox Nova3 Color was my favorite tech device of 2021, but it just couldn't stand its ground in the face of the best Android tablets. 

Price and availability

Onyx Boox launched the Nova Air C on March 23, 2022. Currently, the colorful e-reader and tablet can be purchased from the Onyx Boox online store, Amazon, and a few other retailers. You can purchase the Onyx Boox Nova Air C for about $420 in the US and £400 in the UK. At the time of writing, the Onyx Boox Amazon store is out of stock in most regions.

Just like the Nova3 Color, orders for the Onyx Boox Nova Air C do not come with the first-party magnetic case. You'll have to shell out an additional $60 for the magnetic case with its customizable buttons. However, you do get the accompanying Boox Pen Plus stylus along with spare tips included in the box.

What you'll enjoy

The Onyx Boox Nova3 Color came with a 7.8-inch Kaleido Plus display capable of showing 4,096 colors. The Onyx Boox Nova Air C has a similar 7.8-inch panel with 4,096 colors, however this time Onyx Boox went with the new and improved On-cell Kaleido Plus Screen. This brings 30% better contrast and 15% more saturation to the table with the tablet's front lights on. Turn them and off and you'll still get 6% and 14% better contrast and saturation over the predecessor. The Nova Air C also has smaller bezels, weighs lighter than the Nova3 Color, and noticeably, the physical home button is no longer there, giving it a sleeker appearance.

So despite being an E Ink tablet that's easy on the eyes, it looks better, making your reading experience even more delightful than it already was. Comics, graphic novels, illustrated texts, and book covers look marvelous next to regular black and white Kindle Paperwhite or any other e-reader from Amazon. Actions like highlighting text, jotting down notes or scribbling doodles in your e-book are fun in hues other than shades of white or black. It also makes browsing through your Android apps or the internet a richer experience.

The Onyx Boox Nova Air C has a Wacom layer on top, making it compatible with any Wacom stylus and enabling 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. You get a Boox Pen Plus stylus along with the tablet, and it has a really satisfying marker nib that feels really good to write with. The overall size and build of this excellent stylus is ergonomic and quite comfortable to hold for prolonged periods of time. When not in use, the Boox Pen Plus attaches magnetically to the side of the Nova Air C.

Another plus point of having a large e-ink panel is that sweet papery look and feel. If you're tired of staring at bright AMOLED and LCD screens, your eyes will relish the Nova Air C's understated color display. The e-ink tablet has Google Play Services but you have to enable them first, which isn't very hard. After you've turned them on, it's smooth sailing from there. This means you can install anything from the Google Play Store, including a great e-book app, even the Kindle app if you want, and enjoy reading your favorite titles or listening to audiobooks.

Speaking of software, the e-book reader within the Boox tablet is awesome. Personally, I find the Boox NeoReader fantastic for all intents and purposes. You get so much customization in terms of fonts, line spacing, color contrast, warmth, having something read out to you, searching text, translating, looking up meanings, and access to dictionaries in various languages. The Boox Pen Plus can be used to annotate e-books, highlight text, and do a lot more in color.

If you enter the split-screen mode, you can read two files at the same time or multitask with an e-book file in one screen and either a notepad or translator in the other screen. Not to mention, Onyx Boox's NeoReader supports so many file formats that you don't need to worry about conversion or compatibility.

Availability of third party apps also allows you to use any of the best drawing apps like Sketchbook and MediBang if you don't like the Boox Notes app. There's a good reason why you'd want to consider an alternative for your sketching needs. 

You can also install any other app such as Wattpad, Facebook, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Keep, Bilibili Comics, Spotify, Telegram, and Google Chrome. As long as it's on Google Play, you can get it on your Onyx Boox Nova Air C. Of course, the performance will vary when it comes to apps like TikTok and YouTube, but you can still install these apps if you want. Because we tend to rely on Google's services so much, it is awesome that Google's core apps in particular work so well on the Nova Air C, with the exception of YouTube.

I found it so easy to multitask with my laptop and the Boox tablet side by side, playing music on the tablet via Spotify while connected to a Bluetooth speaker, sending tabs to it via Google Chrome and taking down notes. Bluetooth, Chromecast, and Nearby Share also made sharing files between my devices easy, on top of the convenient auto-sync facilities of Google Drive. When I got too lazy even for that, Boox's own sharing tool created a QR code that I could scan with my Pixel 6 to access the file instantly.

The Nova Air C's convenient gesture navigation is as easy as any other Android device and you can change to good ol' buttons if you're an old soul. To improve accessibility, there is a fully customizable assistive navigation ball that you can place anywhere on the screen. Dedicated E Ink settings can be accessed from the bottom left corner of the tab, bringing even more color customization for the display.

All of this goes to show that they really put a lot of thought in the software. You'll also be pleased to know that Onyx Boox regularly rolls out bug fixes and new features to the Nova Air C and all other Boox devices, which is something to appreciate.

The Boox Nova Air C's onboard OCR is very, very good at what it does. I have a "doctor's hand" if you catch my drift. My lopsided, wonky cursive looks like it's trying to run off the page and launch into space. It could even accurately understand that, which was impressive. The handwriting input feature isn't just limited to note-taking, you can even use it as your normal input method and let me tell you, I had some good fun with that as I adore handwriting input in keyboards. A simple task such as naming a file or entering a search query on Google becomes exciting with a fine stylus in hand.

I used the Boox Pen Plus to write different languages, translating some of my documents from Arabic to English and testing the waters with what little Japanese I retained from college. The conversion was smooth, fast, and efficient. It felt so good to write with the comfy stylus that I wrote a short story on the fly. The marker tip grazes the display in a very satisfying way, simulating your creative writing juices while also saving paper.

The Wacom-layer adds support for 4,096 pressure levels, so you can alter your strokes as you would with a normal pen. This makes the Onyx Boox Nova Air C an excellent writing tool for writers of all trades, be they educators, researchers, authors, or students.

What you won't like

As I mentioned earlier, the ghosting issues from the Nova3 Color have improved, but this improvement is barely noticeable when it comes to videos. Unfortunately, you still don't get watchable video playback and the washed out colors don't make the idea appealing either. Cartoons and anime look alright, but anything with real-life content looks blurry, dull, murky, and barely discernible.

I think watching animated media is acceptable when you're in a pickle. But you'll never be able to stomach more than few seconds of any other video content on the Onyx Boox Nova Air C.

A big problem on the software side is app optimization. You might be able to download and install anything off the Play Store, but there's no guarantee that that app will work properly on the Onyx Boox tablet. Some apps may not fit properly or you may not be able to access all of its functions.

There's another reason to be more selective with the apps you use on the Nova Air C. The E Ink tablet gets annoyingly slow at times, usually when you're trying to run a processor-heavy app like Sketch or Boox Notes with several layers in your project. Clearly, the aged Snapdragon 662 chipset and 3GB of RAM just aren't powerful enough. Forget about video consumption, even serious drawing projects can be frustratingly laggy.

Onyx Boox's own Notes app couldn't handle more than three layers in my attempt to sketch out a portrait, pictured below. After I added the fourth layer, everything slowed down and I couldn't see my pen's strokes appear until a few seconds later. To add to that, the striking color difference between the colors I thought I was using while sketching and the actual result was shocking. I felt like I drew with a blindfold on, guessing at the shades and strokes, and hoping they would turn out alright in the end.

I am just a casual artist, but from a professional standpoint, it's really hard to work on something when you have no idea what colors you're working with. Imagine working with pastels and finding out that the shades were actually neon, which is what happened in my case. Not being able to see the etches and strokes appear right away is messy and difficult.

There are a few other quirks that I have a bone to pick with. For instance, the Nova Air C doesn't have a microSD slot. 32GB of storage isn't nearly enough if you plan on using the tablet to its full potential. Sure, you can use a USB-C OTG or a USB-C thumb drive, but lets be honest, how many people have the time or energy to use it. It's an unnecessary hassle, leaving you to rely on cloud storage. That doesn't help when you want to store something on-device. For example, you might want to store your music offline for on-the-go playback, as internet access isn't available everywhere. Storing your entire library would occupy too much space so it's not feasible.

The Nova Air C has a single power button situated on top, but no other physical navigation button. You have to rely on the device's touch screen to find your way around the tablet. If you really need extra buttons to alter the volume or take screenshots, you'll need to purchase the $60 magnetic case with two customizable buttons.

Can we take a moment to discuss the ridiculous price? The fact that you still don't get the magnetic case for free, after shelling out over four Benjamins, just angers me, plain and simple. The total cost of properly owning an Onyx Boox Nova Air C tab along with the case adds up to around $500. Instead of all those caveats, I could just get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE or the 10.2-inch Apple iPad (2021) for the price.

Lastly, I truly believe that the Nova Air C's battery life could be much better. I managed to get just about a day and a half's worth, or a tad bit more, out of it with heavy usage. This included playing music while drawing, switching between apps, using the internet, keeping the brightness at max levels, and keeping the Bluetooth on to connect to a wireless speaker. This may be impressive for an excellent cheap Android tablet, but the Boox tablet's E Ink display should give a us a longer uptime. In earnest, it left me wanting for more.

Internet and Bluetooth take a serious toll on the Onyx Boox Nova Air C's measly 2,000mAh. Yes, that's a decent amount of juice for e-readers, but this isn't entirely an e-reader is it? Those fancy extra functions like Chromecast, Nearby Share, and heavy-duty third-party apps, consume more battery life. If you were expecting to make the Nova Air C last as long as your Kindle or Kobo, you can kiss that dream goodbye.

Competition

It's hard to determine an exact alternative tablet that offers everything the Onyx Boox Nova Air C does. The Nova Air C is a weird cross between drawing tablets, e-readers and full-fledged Android tablets. Therefore, the competition largely depends on what angle you look at it from.

As an e-reader, any latest gen Amazon Kindle can provide you with that brilliant E Ink display that imitates paper so well. Now that Kindle devices support ePub file formats, Amazon's waterproof e-readers have become even more attractive. They do, however, have a very restricted ecosystem and you can't install third-party apps or view anything in color.

If it's a drawing tablet that you're after, a Wacom One or Wacom Cintiq is better in every way that you can think of. Starting from the accuracy of the stylus, to the depiction of colors and shades, there's nothing the Nova Air C does better. Graphic designers seeking a professional drawing tool won't benefit much from Onyx Boox's colorful creation, apart from reduced eye strain.

For all other uses, any flagship Android tablet will serve you much better as a multipurpose entertainment and productivity tool. Pitching in a little more money can fetch you the excellent Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ which crushes the Nova Air C in terms of performance, features, user experience, and productivity. Other noteworthy competitors include the affordable Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE and the 10.2-inch Apple iPad (2021).

Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You want a color e-reader that can do a lot more
• You want access to the Google Play Store
• You don't care about video playback
• You are a casual artist

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You need a professional drawing tablet
• You want a tablet for video consumption
• You have a constricted budget
• You don't have the patience for slow performance

Once again, this E Ink tablet is a very confusing one to figure out. It has some unique features and performs well as a reading and writing tool. There aren't many e-readers that can do everything that the Onyx Boox Nova Air C can. However, there are far too many Android and iOS tablets that are capable of doing everything this tablet does and more, with far better execution too.

This, then, is an enthusiast's e-reader at an enthusiast's price. The actual percentage of people who are likely to buy this is so small. Too many problems make it hard to recommend to everyone. If you ask me whether I'd spend my own money on the Nova Air C, I would probably only say yes if I had the extra cash and nothing to do with it.

This e-paper tab works well enough for an art hobbyist just starting their journey in graphic design. However, as an intermediate or advanced artist, I would much rather save a little more and invest in something even more versatile and capable, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus or a Wacom Cintiq.