The Boox Palma 2 Pro features a color display, enhanced hardware, and a stylus in a smartphone-sized package.
Boox Palma 2 Pro
The Boox Palma 2 Pro is available now for $399.
With 5G and access to the Google Play Store, you have access to all the major ebook ecosystems in a smartphone-like form factor.
Extensive notetakers might find the screen too small, and the color display needs proper lighting to come alive.
The new and improved Boox Palma 2 Pro from Onyx is the brand’s latest digital paper tablet, retaining its smartphone-adjacent form while introducing several new features: stylus support, a hardware bump, and, most notably, a color display.
Retailing for $399, the Palma 2 Pro also increases in price by $100, features 8GB of RAM instead of 6GB, and is equipped with a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor for faster load times and improved responsiveness. You also have 5G connectivity in a hybrid SIM slot that supports a MicroSD card.
It’s still quite small for a digital paper tablet, and it still resembles a phone, but closer inspection reveals a unique, rough texture that resembles paper — or perhaps papier-mâché — something I’ve yet to see on another handheld device.Boox Palma 2 Pro
The Palma 2 Pro adds more memory and a color screen to the portable form factor.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus 64GB Wi-Fi 11-inch Tablet (Graphite):
$149 (save $71)
Apple iPad 11-inch 128GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (Blue, 2025 Release):
$274 (save $75)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Oxford Gray):
$230 (save $170)
Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black):
$70 (save $70)
Amazon Fire Max 11 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model):
$190 (save $90)
It feels premium and solid, and the unique texture provides a tactile experience, although I have some concerns about how well this material withstands moisture or dirt. This is one device you don’t want to set down on a dirty table, or that errant drop of marinara sauce will stay with you forever.
For that reason, I highly recommend getting the protective case, which isn’t terribly priced at $22, and will keep it clean and the screen protected.
The 6.13-inch backlit Kaleido 3 color display features a subdued, natural palette that’s intended to resemble a newspaper or print magazine, and is highly customizable with a range of preset refresh modes and color options.
Color displays are the latest trend for E Ink devices, showing up in recent upgrades across the board this year. Although they certainly add value, I still maintain that color — on its own — doesn’t automatically « make it better ».
