Kindles and Kobos are relatively comfortable to use, but when they are too large and restrictive, they become similar to a smartphone Boox Palma is a fantastic alternative that we have grown very fond of. A new model is on the way, but if you don't need the smoother performance promised, you can save a little on the original today. On Amazon, the price has dropped to $245.99 ($34 off), marking a new all-time low price.
The Palma's hardware and appearance are similar to a smartphone, but it doesn't have calling capabilities or a traditional display. Instead, it uses a 6.13-inch backlit E Ink Carta 1200 display that offers a crisp 300ppi resolution. There's a microphone and speaker, a microSD card slot to expand the 128GB internal storage, volume buttons that can double as page-turning keys, and even a 16-megapixel camera with a flash for scanning documents and handwritten notes . Because it can be stored in your pocket and operated with one hand, it is more suitable for everyday transport than a full-size reader.
A big advantage of the Boox Palma compared to most e-book readers is that it runs Android 11 with Google Play, so you can complement the built-in tools and apps by downloading anything else you like. This means you aren't locked into a specific e-book ecosystem and don't have to give up your favorite sources. Missing your Amazon Kindle library? Just download the Kindle app – a much better solution than manually sideloading everything. You can also use your favorite music streaming service and messaging apps.
However, the laggy user experience that occurs with any E Ink device can be limiting outside of reading and perhaps some casual listening and productivity tasks (and even some New York Times crossword puzzles). The Verge's David Pierce found). It's fine if you're just scrolling through the pages of your monthly read, but not ideal for social media deep diving and other visually appealing shenanigans.
The upcoming Boox Palma 2 brings a faster octa-core chipset and an Android 13 upgrade (and adds a fingerprint sensor), but no one has tested it yet to find out whether these changes will result in improved usability in practical terms . If you want to save some money and start reading TodayMaybe you won't miss much if you're a generation behind.