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E-readers and e-ink · Boox Palma

Boox Palma 2

5owners with an opinion
80%of verdicts positive
4/1positive/negative since 2024
0happy after 3+ years

Praised for portability and display; criticized for software and reliability.

What owners wrote

Likes it
Since these E-Ink phones all suck in specific ways or have uncertain compatibility with US cell carriers I carry 2 devices, my Android smartphone (which I've dumbed down in a similar way to you) and a Boox Palma 2 (which I use for reading articles and books). I pretty much use my Android in grayscale only for texting/2FA, phone calls, and occasionally email. I entirely disabled the web browser. If a restaurant has QR code menus I don't care anymore, I'll just leave. If I'm "bored" I'll pull out my Palma and get some reading in.
Likes it
I've got a Palma 2 and I like it. It replaces the Kindle for me: fits in the pocket, more book apps, actual feed reader and read later apps, good for typing quick notes and using Anki. You can also use Terminus to ssh to a box in a pinch. I would never think of daily driving it as a phone if it had a modem. The biggest dealbreaker is that streaming music is a pain on e-ink devices: all of the services except Apple Music (which doesn't support 2FA sign in on Android so it's useless to me) are dark mode only, and dark mode is the enemy on e-ink. Another problem is that the camera is pre smartphone level, it's really bad and with e-ink it's harder to see if the focus is good. And of course, it's running an obsolete version of Android and is continuously phoning home to China, so you probably don't want any important data on it. But as an e-reader, I strongly prefer it to the walled garden tablets.
Likes it
I’ve had a Palma 2 for a few months now. Looks like I have around 30 hours reading on it so far. Literally on use it as a reading device. Sadly it’s less frowned upon to look at a device other than reading a paper book. So I bring it to work, instead of using my phone, take a quick break and read. Very pocketable which is the selling point for me. Had a good experience with Boox so far, also have a Boox Go 10.3 which is great to read on or take notes with.
Doesn’t like it
I really want to like the more recent devices from Boox. The display tech is just about there with their "Super Refresh." It works well enough for most apps where you are scrolling. Problem is that the software is pretty buggy and can become randomly unresponsive to touch input, which can be pretty frustrating. This has been true on the Tab Ultra, the Tab Mini C, and the Palma 2. Still, Boox tablets are the closest to what I've been looking for: an eInk device with enough flexibility that I can read more than just books on it.
Likes itHasn’t owned it
It isn't a phone (no cellular) but the BOOX Palma 2 is a fantastic phone-sized Android-running eInk device. Pair it with a hotspot in your bag or pocket and it would be good enough (as long as you don't make actual calls).
Doesn’t like itHasn’t owned it
The point about playlist curation makes sense, it's a valid way to go about it. Another app that works well on e-ink is Plexamp, which can be used for a NAS-based library as a sort of middle ground. I've been down that road though and concluded that I do prefer streaming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with today's artists who like to do digital releases almost to the exclusion of anything else. >I like to disconnect, I don't want to be tempted by apps. Fair, but I was specifically addressing the people who want a device that fulfills the good/essential functions of a smartphone (messaging apps, GPS, music) with less app temptation. A cell modem is essential for that use case. > temptation to take a picture Hah, not really an issue for me. My friends are always complaining that I go on holiday for 2 weeks and come back with 2 photos. But that would be a consideration for those that have it and for the smooth back (the Palma 2's camera is almost flush but not quite). Depending on where you are in the world, having a camera may count as essential due to prevalence of QR codes. And the Palma 2's camera is so bad it usually can't read one from more than 6 inches away. Just really wanted to emphasize whatever it cost Boox to add a camera was completely wasted.
Doesn’t like itHasn’t owned it
Nope, which is very bizarre. I don't understand the point of the phone form factor if it doesn't have a SIM card slot. It even has a microphone and everything but you can't make calls from it.