Boox Palma 2 review: a device like no other

Today’s world is full of colorful screens, distractions, and stress. Sometimes, you just need to step away from it all and take a break for your own well-being. It’s hard to do, but sometimes, finding the right device can help. But what kind of device am I talking about? Say hello to the Boox Palma 2.

Think of it like an e-reader, but in the shape of a smartphone so it fits in your pocket, and it runs Android. It’s like an Amazon Kindle but better for multiple reasons, and it can help if you want a bit of a digital detox.

The Boox Palma 2 is one of the most interesting devices I’ve tested this year, and I love it.

Boox Palma 2: specs

Boox Palma 2: design

The Boox Palma 2’s hardware is entirely plastic, which helps keep it incredibly lightweight and portable, though it does feel a bit flimsy. It looks like your standard Android phone, though the bezels around the e-ink display are chunkier than on a phone like the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

On the back of the Boox Palma 2 is a unique and distinctive texture. It’s akin to something like a painted wall, which is something I’ve never seen or felt on a gadget before. It helps the Palma 2 stand out from the crowd of the smooth backs you’d find on other e-readers and phones. I have the white edition, but the Palma 2 also comes in a sleek black colorway.

Along the left edge of the frame is a microSD card slot and a Smart Button. The right side of the frame has the fingerprint/power button, as well as volume/page-turn/scrolling buttons. The USB-C charging port is at the bottom, and the Palma 2 also has dual microphones and dual speakers at the top and bottom. The rear also has a 16MP camera with LED flash for scanning documents.

My Boox Palma 2 came with a Flip Fold Case, which keeps the device safe from everyday wear and tear and makes it really feel like an e-reader. The cover has a magnetic closure, and it will wake or put the device to sleep when open or closed, similar to an iPad or Kindle. It even folds back to act as a kickstand. It’s a simple little case that adds a nice touch of elegance to the Boox Palma 2.

Overall, the Palma 2’s design is fantastic. Since it’s about the size of my iPhone 16 Pro, it’s easy to carry around in my pocket, which I can’t quite do with my Amazon Kindle. It’s a great size for an e-reader, and I’m surprised there aren’t more devices like it.

Boox Palma 2: screen

Now, let’s talk about the display, which is arguably one of the most unique aspects of the Boox Palma 2.

The Boox Palma 2 has the same 6.3-inch e-ink Carta 1200 monochrome screen with 300 pixels per inch (ppi) density as the original Boox Palma. It also features an adjustable front light, allowing you to use it in dimly lit environments if need be.

Despite looking like a smartphone, the Palma 2 is an e-reader tablet with a super-compact form factor resembling a phone. As such, there is a slight delay when interacting with the screen, as with any e-ink device, and sometimes there’s ghosting involved, where the previous text or image still appears on the screen. When this happens (it’s more prone to happen when you have a dark background), you just need to refresh the display, which can be quickly done by using the Smart Button.

Otherwise, the e-ink Carta display looks great. Text is sharp and crisp, and photos and video look as good as you can get them on an e-ink screen. Scrolling is smooth, and the display is fairly responsive to touch input. Overall, this is a great little e-ink display.

Boox Palma 2: software and performance

The first Boox Palma had an octa-core CPU, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, and Android 11. The Palma 2 has the same 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, but Boox says it has an “upgraded” octa-core CPU and ships with Android 13, so it’s more up-to-date than its predecessor.

The Palma 2 also adds a fingerprint sensor where the power button is. In my usage of the device, the fingerprint sensor has been fast and reliable in unlocking the Palma 2. It’s actually quite impressive.

Since the Boox Palma 2 runs full Android 13, it can be more than just an e-reader. You have access to the entire Play Store, so you can download video apps and games if you want to. But I think I’ll stick to using the Boox Palma 2 as an e-reader type device because why would I want to watch video or play games on an e-ink display? That’s what I have other phones and tablets for. Plus, the entire point of the Palma 2 is supposed to be a minimalist device, and that’s how I’ve been using it.

While Boox says that the upgraded octa-core CPU is faster than its predecessor, I honestly don’t think it matters too much. Considering the device’s purpose, it doesn’t need to be the fastest device in your repertoire. The Palma 2 is fast and responsive for apps and e-books, and that’s what matters to me.

Boox Palma 2: camera

Oddly enough, the Boox Palma 2 is equipped with a single 16MP rear camera and no selfie camera. The camera itself is designed mostly for scanning documents, though you could use it to take vintage black-and-white photos if you want to.

However, I don’t think the camera is necessary or all that helpful. I tried to scan a document with it, and the results were blurry and hardly usable. You’re better off using your iPhone or Android phone to scan a document with a higher-megapixel camera lens.

Taking photos isn’t impressive, either. Since it’s monochrome and only 16MP, pictures just come out a bit dull, and obviously, it won’t capture details very well.

Boox Palma 2: battery life

Inside the Boox Palma 2 is a 3,950mAh battery. Since this is an e-ink device, a single charge will last a while, depending on usage. For me, I’ve been getting at least a week of use with it, with the light setting on half or zero before I plug it back in again.

The Boox Palma 2 doesn’t come with a power adapter in the box, but it does have a USB-C cable. Charging it may take a while, depending on the speed of your power adapter, but since the device lasts a while on a charge, you won’t need to charge it that often.

Boox Palma 2: price and availability

The Boox Palma 2 is available to purchase directly from Boox’s online shop or from retailers like Amazon. It is available in white or black and costs $280.

You can also find some bundle deals on Boox’s website. The standard bundle ($280) includes a free matte transparent case, or you can get the Flip-fold Protective Case bundle for $286. These deals don’t seem to appear on Amazon, so if you want a free case to go with it, you should buy from Boox directly.

Boox Palma 2: verdict

If you have the first Boox Palma device, there’s little reason to upgrade to this new one. But if you don’t already have one, the Boox Palma 2 is a unique and interesting buy if you want a pocket-sized e-reader running full Android, expanding its overall functionality.

The Boox Palma was already such a great little device that Boox didn’t change too much with its successor. The display, as great as it is, is still the same as before. The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage are also the same, and there’s still the expandable microSD memory card slot. The upgraded processor doesn’t make that much of a difference in actual use, and the camera is not good.

On the one hand, it would have been nice to see Boox make more meaningful upgrades. It could have improved the plastic body to not feel as flimsy as it is, and there is a bit of a gap between the glass and the screen. It also could have been a good opportunity to add a SIM card tray and turn this into a proper phone for minimalists.

On the other hand, even without much change from the first Palma, this is still a device unlike anything else. If you want an e-reader that can do more than a Kindle, browse the web, and even fit in your pocket like a phone, then the Boox Palma 2 is worth consideration. At $280, it’s certainly more expensive than your typical Kindle, but it can also do so much more.