This is the Boox Palma 2, the improved version of the company’s smartphone-sized e-reader which had its shares of issues in the first model. The Boox Palma 2 has a more potent processor, a fingerprint scanner and uses the latest Android 13 OS.
The Boox Palma 2 comes in ivory white or deep cyan black and is available for preorder at $279.99, the same as the previous Palma. Still, unlike premium e-readers, such as the newest Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, the cost of the Boox Palma 2 is justified by its compact size and app versatility that makes it the genuine Kindle and Kobo competitor.
Improved Performance and Security
Of the key improvements in the Boox Palma 2, the major one is the upgrade to a substantially faster octa-core CPU to correct the annoying lag problem of the first device. While not revealing a lot of specifics about the processor, Boox claims that the improvement should lead to enhanced performance thereby making it much easier to use the device.
Other new features include a fingerprint scanner that is embedded at the back of the power button on the Boox Palma 2. This feature provides a feature that protects the device while at the same time owners can always unlock the device using one handed operation making it secure and at the same time fast.
Updated Operating System
The Boox Palma 2 is under the Android 13, which is an improvement over the Android 11 that comes with the first generation Palma. It brings new features such as better copy and paste functionality to the still gererationally behind device while still not being on the latest version of Android. Furthermore, it should do a better job of keeping the Boox Palma 2 going for a couple more years before apps start outgrowing its version of the operating system.
Familiar Design and Specifications
At the same time, all the fundamental features of the first Boox Palma model remain unchanged to meet users’ demand. It sports the same 6.13 inches, 300 ppi E Ink Carta 1200 the same as in the current generation Kindle Paperwhite. This model also has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, as it was the case with the Boox Palma 1.
Unfortunately, the company has decided to keep this number intact and the Boox Palma 2 is equipped with 16MP rear-facing camera with flash which can be used for digitizing documents. While some photos leaked earlier had hinted that Boox would be doing away with the camera on its smartphone-like e-readers, this was only a feature left on the China-only version of the Palma.
Boox Introduces New E-Paper Devices
Boox unveiled two new e-paper notetaking devices in the same announcement as the Boox Palma 2. The Note Air4 C is equipped with the newest Kaleido 3 color E Ink display, greater refresh rates and 50% increased octa-core processor compared to the previous model. The Note Air4 C which costs $499.99 as well also comes with Android 13 support with a new tablet-like UI for easier homescreen management and app installation.
Another model introduced is a black-and-white device, Boox Note Max supporting a stylus with a 13.3 inches E Ink Carta 1300. Equipped with 2.8 GHz Octa-core CPU the thickness of Note Max stays 4.6mm, which is approximately 50% thinner than the Boox Palma 2. However, unlike the other two devices, the Note Max will not be available for preorder from Boox’s online store for the next couple of weeks.
Final Thought
This time it optioned for a higher level upgrade of its first ever smartphone-like e-reader by improving some of the performance problems of thefirst one in addition to coming with new features such as a fingerprint reader and a new operating system. Some of the enhancements should make for a more pleasurable and a secure user experience, even though the device keeps characteristics that made its counterpart famous.
When looking at the future of e-readers and e-paper devices, Boox’s product offerings only continue to strengthen, and with the Boox Palma 2, Note Air4 C, and the Note Max, shows that the company is willing to excel in a diverse range of products for consumers.
