Boox Palma 2: The E-Ink Reader That is Changing the Game

 I am a passionate reader (and audiobook listener), so the announcement of the new Boox Palma 2 attracted my curiosity right away. I was thrilled when the firm offered to give me a review unit.

The Palma 2 was unveiled in October 2024, a little more than a year after the first Boox Palma was launched. It features a few technological improvements but retains all of the original version's functionality. But I have many e-ink gadgets and e-readers. How is this one different?

You may recall that I evaluated the Boox Note Air3 C around the time the Palma 2 was launched. So, if I already have one Boox device, why do I need another?The answer is pretty simple: it's more portable. But there are complexities to that response. Here's what I've learned during the weeks that I've been testing the Palma 2.

Boox Palma 2: What Has Changed?

Let's start with a quick overview of the tech. The Palma 2 is a smartphone-sized e-book reader. Its predecessor used a Snapdragon 460/662 CPU, The Palma 2 features a Snapdragon 690/750 5G CPU. Ultimately, both are 8-Core/2 Ghz CPUs, therefore there is unlikely to be a significant difference in performance between the two.

The Palma 2's other specifications are basically identical to those of the first Palma device. It still comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is still a microSD card port but no SIM card slot, and the battery capacity remains the same at 3950 mAh.

Aside from the little CPU boost, the Palma 2 now includes a fingerprint sensor and runs Android 13, which is likely the most significant improvement. I'm still a little confused about why the Android version can't be upgraded without a whole new device, but that's an investigation for another time.

How Useful Is the Boox Palma 2?

Let's get to the exciting part. I craved the Palma 2 since I enjoy reading. What I don't love is having to juggle a larger device. The Boox Note Air3 C has a place in my daily routine, but it's just too big for me to read ebooks and listen to audiobooks on. The same is true for my trusty Kindle Paperwhite.  Even if it's little, it might still be too huge at times. As a result, I found that I often defaulted back to my smartphone for reading.

The phone is simpler to grip and transport than a bigger tablet-style e-reader. That's where the Palma 2 comes in. First, because it runs Android 13 and has access to the Google Play Store, I can install any reading software I want on it. Then, because it's only slightly larger than my phone, I can tuck it in a pocket and take it with me, which means I'm not draining my phone battery while I'm reading.

I love the device for reading. It has adjustable brightness and temperature controls so I can make it brighter when I'm outside or dim it down at night so I experience less eye strain. I've already mentioned that I can load whatever reading apps I want on the device. Personally, I prefer Kindle and Nook, however there is a built-in reading program that allows access to public-domain literature. You may also include Hoopla, Libby, and several more reading alternatives.

The next category is audiobooks. I usually read 30-50 novels each year, but I also listen to 50 or so audiobooks per year, with Audible being my favoured option. II was able to install Audible on the Palma 2, and after a few hiccups, it's now operating perfectly. Initially, I had problems with the screen shutting off and stopping the book, but after tweaking various settings, this is no longer an issue.

What Boox Plama 2 doesn't do

The Palma 2's key selling point is that it's a hybrid between a specialized reading gadget and a smartphone, with the goal of allowing you to read (or listen to audiobooks) without distractions. So, while you may download programs on the tablet, it is not ideal for graphically intensive applications. Images and movies are grainy, which is to be expected from an e-ink tablet. That's OK with me; I didn't acquire the gadget for its graphics capabilities.

You'll also find that connectivity with the Palma 2 is limited. It features Bluetooth, so you can connect it to headphones to listen to audiobooks or use it with messaging apps such as WhatsApp.  But it doesn't have SIM capabilities, so you can't access mobile networks. I'm not sure why anyone would want to, but if that's your vibe, know this isn't the device for you.

You also can't use the Boox stylus with the device. This is a feature that I believe may be beneficial; however, it is not yet accessible.

Is the Boox Palma 2 worth it?

The boox Palma 2 costs $286, which is around $35 more than the current price of the original Palma when purchased with the protective case. That's more than you'd pay for an Amazon Kindle tablet, but I think it's worth it just for the form factor. When you combine the convenience of having the Google Play Store at your fingertips, the ability to read and listen to books on many platforms, and the newer operating system, you have a good e-book reader that can be used for more than simply reading.

I would also recommend spending the extra $35 to acquire the tablet with the newest operating system, simply to stay as current as possible. In any case, this is a reliable e-reader with a few extras that make it well worth the money.