Priced at $400, the Boox Palma 2 Pro is a compact e-reader built for reading books, documents, and articles on a small E Ink screen. Running Android and supporting Google Play for third-party apps, it functions like a cross between a Kindle and a small Android tablet.
The reviewer was drawn to the Palma 2 Pro because of its size, finding traditional e-readers too square and bulky for reading in bed while lying on one side. This led the reviewer to read on an iPhone instead, despite the resulting eye strain, until testing the Palma 2 Pro for two months.
A front-lit screen with adjustable cool and warm lighting allowed the reviewer to read in complete darkness without disturbing a sleeping husband or straining eyes. Weighing 175 grams, the device is also noticeably lighter than an iPhone.
Its pocket-sized design made it easy to carry into doctors offices, airports, and small purses that could not fit a Kindle, replacing phone scrolling with reading. Because it is not locked down, users can download Kindle, Kobo, Libby, audio, podcast, read-it-later, and email apps.
Animations and interfaces can feel sluggish in third-party apps since they are not all optimized for E Ink, and color images appear less vibrant than on a phone screen. The device served as a dedicated tool for reading and listening to audiobooks without phone distractions.
Other hardware includes a rear camera to scan documents, a built-in speaker for audio without headphones, and a hybrid SIM slot for cellular data. Compatibility with a stylus allows for note-taking and PDF markups, though the reviewer did not test this feature without a stylus.
Battery life spans about 5 to 7 days, which is shorter than a Kindle but can be extended by disabling Wi-Fi. Ghosting is a drawback, with text from previous pages lingering until cleared with a refresh button in the navigation bar.
The Boox Palma 2 Pro suits readers wanting a compact, portable, app-enabled device, rather than dedicated Kindle fans tired of phone screen strain. The price is high, and Boox will soon launch a non-Pro Palma 3 for $340 with a black and white display to replace the Palma 2.
