Boox Palma 2 Pro: a review of the $400 pocket E Ink e-reader

TechCrunch has published a review of the $400 smartphone-like e-reader Boox Palma 2 Pro. The author tested the Android device with Google Play access for two months and notes the low brightness of the front light, the 175-gram weight, and app support, but complains about ghosting and modest battery life of 5–7 days. A Palma 3 with a black-and-white screen has also been announced at $340.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 25 October 2026 at 00:474 min read

The key facts

The Boox Palma 2 Pro costs $400 and runs on Android with Google Play access
The device weighs 175 grams, with battery life of 5–7 days
A Palma 3 with a black-and-white display is coming soon for $340

A compact Android e-reader

TechCrunch has published a review of the Boox Palma 2 Pro, a $400 smartphone-sized device with a small E Ink screen designed for reading books, articles, and documents. Unlike classic e-readers, the Palma 2 Pro runs on Android and supports Google Play, giving access to third-party apps. The reviewer describes it as something between a Kindle and a compact Android tablet.

Why the author chose it

The main argument for the reviewer was the size: most e-readers are square and sit awkwardly in the hand, so she often read before bed on an iPhone, which caused eye strain. The Palma 2 Pro solved this problem over two months of testing. The screen light allows choosing between cold and warm modes, and the brightness can be lowered to an extremely low level — according to the author, she could read in complete darkness without straining her eyes or disturbing her sleeping husband. The device weighs 175 grams and is noticeably lighter than an iPhone, and thanks to its pocket-sized form factor, the author carried it everywhere — from the doctor's office to the airport.

Apps, camera, and stylus

Since the e-reader is not locked down, you can install Kindle, Kobo, Libby, as well as apps for audiobooks, podcasts, read-it-later services, and email. That said, animations and interfaces in apps can feel sluggish, since not all programs are optimized for E Ink, and color images look less vivid than on a smartphone. The Palma 2 Pro also features a rear camera for scanning documents, a built-in speaker, and a hybrid SIM slot for mobile internet. The device is compatible with a stylus for note-taking and PDF annotation, but the author could not evaluate this experience because the stylus was not included in the review unit.

Battery life and drawbacks

The battery lasts about 5–7 days — enough for the author, but for those used to a Kindle running for weeks, this could be a downside. Battery life can be extended by turning off Wi-Fi. The main drawback, in the author's opinion, is noticeable ghosting: text from the previous page may remain on the screen when turning pages or returning to the home screen. A refresh button in the navigation bar quickly clears the screen, but repeating this action can be annoying.

Who the device is for and what's next

The author considers the Palma 2 Pro an excellent device for a certain type of reader — those who value compactness, portability, and access to apps, and who are tired of reading on a phone and experiencing eye strain or headaches. In her view, Kindle lovers will not like the device. The price is quite high for an e-reader, so the buyer will have to decide whether the versatility and portability are worth the extra cost. It is also noted that Boox will soon release a non-Pro model, the Palma 3, for $340 with a black-and-white display, which will replace the Palma 2.

Why this matters

The launch of the Palma 2 Pro shows that the e-reader market is moving toward hybrid devices: Android with Google Play turns an E Ink gadget from a 'reader' into a tool for reading, research, and productivity, as confirmed by the list of supported apps in the review. This matters to readers who experience discomfort from smartphone screens but do not want to carry a large Kindle around. The practical choice for the buyer comes down to price: $400 for the Pro version versus $340 for the announced Palma 3 with a black-and-white screen.

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