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Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional: Two-minute evaluate
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional is the type of attention-grabbing ereader innovation I wish to see extra of, even when the largest enchantment continues to be simply how uncommon it’s. My ereader skilled colleague reviewed the unique Palma and the newer Palma 2, however I’ve been ready to make use of each of those gadgets as my important ereader, to make sure foundation for comparability.
The 6.13-inch, 2:1 display continues to be the principle purpose to contemplate the Palma. It seems to be and feels extra like a smartphone than a typical ereader, and comes full with a speaker, twin microphones, aspect buttons, a rear digital camera and now a hybrid SIM tray. However somewhat than an LCD or OLED show, it makes use of an e-paper show which means it’s a a lot nicer expertise for lengthy studying classes.
In different phrases — in the event you already eat books, articles or newsletters in your cellphone and wish one thing simpler on the eyes, the Palma 2 Professional has numerous enchantment.
One other new benefit is stylus assist — like among the bigger fashions, the Palma 2 Professional works with a appropriate stylus and allows note-taking straight on the machine. One other nice little further is a mixed SIM/SD card slot, which implies you may improve the storage or add in a knowledge SIM and entry books (and the web) when on the go.
The flip case will be folded again, making the Palma 2 Professional straightforward to make use of with out eradicating it. (Picture credit score: Future)
- Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional (LED) at Amazon for $399.99
Bodily, the Professional is similar to the Palma 2, although there are just a few helpful modifications that present how the design has progressed extra than simply altering to a shade show. The ability button (that additionally homes the fingerprint reader) continues to be on the correct edge however the quantity/page-turn buttons now sit on the left with the good button — a format that feels much more intuitive.
The SIM/SD card tray is on the underside and the physique is a bit thicker. At 172g naked on my scales (Boox lists it as roughly 175g), it’s nonetheless straightforward to hold round, and even with the tender case from my evaluate bundle fitted, it remained pocket-friendly sufficient for day by day use, plus there’s a superb magnetic flip cowl.
The largest change, in fact, is the display. The Palma 2 Professional makes use of a Kaleido 3 shade E Ink panel, whereas the Palma 2 has a Carta 1200 monochrome show. The improve to paint instantly makes the interface, ebook covers, comics, internet pages and a few apps really feel extra participating and helpful than they do on the black-and-white Palma 2. To be clear, it’s not vibrant, glowing shade such as you get from a cellphone or pill, or shiny like {a magazine} — it’s nearer to tender pastels on paper.
Whereas the black and white a part of the show has the identical decision and DPI because the Palma 2, the Kaleido 3 shade layer offers the display a barely grainier look, with grayer whites, in comparison with the sharp Carta show on the Palma 2.
Whereas studying on the Palma 2 Professional continues to be nice, it does imply the Professional isn’t an computerized improve for everybody. For pure monochrome textual content, the Palma 2 nonetheless has a clearer, extra paper-like show, with higher perceived distinction and cleaner whites.
Meaning the Palma 2 continues to be a strong alternative, whereas the Palma 2 Professional is at its greatest for many who will really make use of the colour display.
The Palma 2 Professional works with the Boox stylus, making fast notes and sketches straightforward. (Picture credit score: Future)
The Professional has had a slight bump in spec, which in flip makes the consumer expertise a bit slicker. An improve to Android 15 (the Palma 2 runs Android 13) offers the Palma 2 Professional a extra present interface, whereas 8GB of RAM (up from 6GB), Android 15 and up to date software program tuning assist it really feel barely smoother when opening apps, scrolling via menus and utilizing gesture navigation.
It’s nonetheless an E Ink machine, so that you received’t mistake it for the responsiveness of a smartphone, however third-party apps comparable to Kindle, Kobo and Google Play Books work effectively, and Google Play Retailer assist offers it way more flexibility than most ereaders.
I additionally discovered the fingerprint scanner correct and really useful on the Professional. It’s fast to arrange and, in day by day use, it not often didn’t unlock the machine. Compared, the Palma 2 doesn’t unlock fairly as reliably.
The stylus assist labored effectively, and the Boox stylus is straightforward to begin utilizing — no pairing is required. Handwritten notes will be made in appropriate apps, like Boox’s Notes app, or in your ebooks with NeoReader. The small display means it takes a bit getting used to and it’s not as succesful as a bigger note-taking machine, however it’s a good little further for many who prefer to jot down handwritten ideas.
Making it barely much less interesting although, is that purchasing the Boox stylus provides round an additional 10% to the value, and there’s no neat method to carry it with the flip cowl.
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Palma 2 Professional continues among the little niggles that felt misplaced contemplating the value of the Palma 2. The physique nonetheless feels plasticky somewhat than premium, the digital camera is extra helpful for fast scans than for taking pictures, the speaker is fundamental and efficiency is on the low finish in comparison with a cellphone. The Palma 2 Professional can also be significantly dearer than the common Palma 2 and different mainstream 6-inch ereaders.
Nonetheless, I just like the Palma 2 Professional for a similar purpose I just like the Palma 2: it’s compact, versatile and one thing genuinely totally different. The colour display received’t go well with everybody, however in order for you a pocketable Android ereader that may deal with books, apps, gentle internet use, color-rich paperwork and the occasional note-taking session, it’s an important improve to one of the attention-grabbing ereaders round.
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional evaluate: Value & availability
- Introduced October 2025
- Listing value: $379.99 / €399.99 / £379.99 / AU$679
- Out there now straight from the Boox Store and choose retailers
The Palma 2 Professional is a way more costly machine than the common Palma 2, with present pricing sitting at $380 / £380 / AU$679. That makes it expensive even by premium ereader requirements, and it’s a notable step up from the Palma 2’s present $250 / £249 / AU$499 pricing.
On the plus aspect, that larger value does offer you a tasty set of latest and up to date options. The Palma 2 Professional provides a Kaleido 3 shade E Ink show, 8GB of RAM, Android 15, a hybrid SIM slot with cellular knowledge assist and compatibility with the Boox InkSense Plus stylus.
Whereas these are all nice additions, they received’t all matter equally to each reader, so one of the best worth proposition is just going to use to a smaller subset of potential patrons. In the event you largely desire a pocketable machine for studying typical ebooks, the common Palma 2 continues to be the higher alternative.
The Professional begins to make extra sense in the event you’ll really use the colour show for ebook covers, comics, internet pages, paperwork or apps, or if cellular knowledge assist is vital to you.
The Boox web site has a variety of appropriate equipment accessible. For the Palma 2 Professional, stylus assist helps it really feel extra helpful past studying, although it’s value noting that the Boox stylus is bought individually and is priced round $46 / £47 / AU$72 — including round 10% to the whole buy price.
The usual field contains the Palma 2 Professional, USB-C cable, card tray eject software, fast begin information and guarantee card. My evaluate bundle additionally included the Magnetic 2-in-1 protecting flip case, which is one other $22 / £22 / AU$38 or so from Boox.
In contrast with mainstream 6-inch ereaders, the Palma 2 Professional is pricey, and it’s on par with a mid-range smartphone. The truth is, you could possibly purchase virtually three Amazon Kindle or Kobo Clara BW ereaders for the value of the Palma 2 Professional, however additionally they don’t supply the identical Android flexibility, shade E Ink show, giant storage capability or phone-like type issue.
That stated, I may higher abdomen the value if the Palma 2 Professional got here with the stylus and case as commonplace, however because it stands, it solely actually presents respectable worth in the event you actually want the distinctive type issue and can really use the total set of options.
• Worth rating: 3 / 5
(Picture credit score: Future)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional evaluate: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Show sort:
E Ink Kaleido 3 shade
Display measurement:
6.13 inches (2:1 facet ratio)
Decision:
300ppi B/W (824 x 1648 dots); 150ppi shade (412 x 824 dots)
Processor:
Octa-core + BSR; recognized by CPU X as QTI SM6350
System reminiscence:
8GB RAM
Storage:
128GB (expandable by way of microSD as much as 2TB)
Entrance gentle:
Adjustable (brightness and shade temp)
Digital camera:
16MP rear digital camera; LED flash
Battery:
3,950mAh
Water safety:
Water-repellent, no IP score
Software program:
Android 15
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, data-only SIM assist, A-GPS
File assist:
20 doc, 4 picture, 2 audio
Stylus assist:
Boox InkSense Plus stylus appropriate
Dimensions:
159 × 80 × 8.8 mm (6.3 x 3.1 x 0.35 inches)
Weight:
172g measured (Boox lists 175g)
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional evaluate: Design & show
- Out there in Charcoal Black and Ivory White
- Coloration E Ink makes the Palma format extra versatile
- Telephone-like and pocket-friendly
The Palma 2 Professional largely sticks to the Palma 2’s design, however the small modifications do make it really feel a bit extra polished in day by day use. It’s nonetheless unmistakably a Palma, with the identical tall, phone-like form, rear digital camera, speaker, twin microphones, USB-C port and compact footprint, but it surely’s barely thicker at 8.8mm (up from 8mm) and a bit heavier at 172g on my scales, up from the Palma 2’s measured 166g.
The button format has modified too. The ability button with fingerprint scanner now sits on the correct edge, whereas the quantity/page-turn buttons have moved to the left with the good button. The hybrid SIM tray is on the underside beside the USB-C port, whereas the microphones have shifted nearer to the speaker.
None of those modifications dramatically alter how the Palma 2 Professional feels, however I believe the format is a little more intuitive than the Palma 2 as quantity buttons on the left imply they sit below a forefinger, somewhat than below a thumb on the correct.
In the event you don’t use the quantity buttons for web page turning (or you’re left-handed), then the smartphone-like format on the Palma 2 is perhaps preferable.
Picture 1 of 6
Left aspect view of the Palma 2 Professional (high) vs the Palma 2 (backside) exhibiting the brand new quantity button location.(Picture credit score: Future)Proper aspect view of the Palma 2 Professional (high) vs the Palma 2 (backside).(Picture credit score: Future)Prime view of the Palma 2 Professional (proper) vs the Palma 2 (left).(Picture credit score: Future)Backside view of the Palma 2 Professional (proper) vs the Palma 2 (left) exhibiting the brand new SD / sim slot location. (Picture credit score: Future)Rear view of the Palma 2 Professional (proper) vs the Palma 2 (left) exhibiting the color distinction.(Picture credit score: Future)Other than the color, the grippy textured floor on the rear of the Palma 2 (left) and Palma 2 Professional (proper) are very related. (Picture credit score: Future)
Construct high quality is similar to the Palma 2 — it’s a bit plasticky, and the rear panel has a tough, grippy texture. The Professional is white somewhat than cream, and the floor of the plastic is a matte gloss, somewhat than being purely matte, however isn’t slippery.
Not like the silver buttons on the Palma 2, the Professional makes use of the identical shade of white on the buttons and the physique, giving a sleeker, understated look. Whereas most ereaders use numerous plastic, the construct definitely doesn’t really feel as premium as its value suggests.
Whereas I didn’t run into any problems with the floor staining like my colleague skilled in her Palma 2 evaluate, it’s nonetheless plastic, so even with the flip case, I wouldn’t go away it free in a bag with keys or different sharp objects. Like a cellphone, it’s best saved in a protected pocket of a backpack, and whereas the glass display feels fairly robust, injury continues to be value guarding towards.
My evaluate bundle included the magnetic flip case, which is an enormous improve over the flip case that got here with the Palma 2. It has a cloudy-clear versatile shell that clips across the machine, plus a removable flip cowl that connects magnetically. The shell is the half with the magnets, not the Palma 2 Professional itself, and it additionally carries via MagSafe-style assist so it may be hooked up to a appropriate stand.
This makes it very straightforward to maintain protected when on the go, but in addition permits it to be immediately pulled out from the flip case for extra relaxed at-home use.
Picture 1 of seven
The Palma 2 Professional flip case protects the show and makes it a lot much less more likely to be broken in a bag or pocket. (Picture credit score: Future)The flip case has a magsafe appropriate ring on the again, so it may possibly connect to stands and different equipment. (Picture credit score: Future)Whereas the rear is extra uncovered, the entrance of the flip case protects all the display. (Picture credit score: Future)The Palma 2 Professional has a tender cowl that attaches magnetically (and is MagSafe appropriate) to the flip a part of the quilt. (Picture credit score: Future)The tender case has a MagSafe appropriate magnetic ring, so also can connect to different equipment. (Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)
The case doesn’t give heavy-duty safety, but it surely’s a superb compromise between a bulkier folio and a slim shell. The flip cowl attaches simply however stays safe, the fake-leather materials feels effectively made and there are not any sharp or tough edges. It additionally provides good grip with out making the Palma 2 Professional really feel too large, and actually I want I may get this fashion flip case for my cellphone.
Sadly the brand new flip case is just accessible for the Palma 2 Professional, which appears like a misstep from Boox, as there’s a Palma/Palma 2 flip case with magnetic attachment accessible, simply within the older fashion. This implies both of the outer, magnetically hooked up elements of the case may work high quality with both machine, however you may’t purchase the precise shell with the magnets individually, which is required because of the modified button places.
Pocketability continues to be one of many largest causes to purchase the Palma 2 Professional because it feels a lot nearer to carrying a cellphone than a traditional ereader. Even within the flip case, it’s nonetheless straightforward to slide right into a jacket or pants, and it’s the proper measurement to work with phone-specific bag pockets, and even equipment like waterproof pouches.
The show is the place the Professional model will pique numerous new curiosity over the Palma 2. It makes use of a 6.13-inch Kaleido 3 shade E Ink display, with the identical 300ppi black-and-white decision because the Palma 2, however shade content material is displayed at 150ppi. That’s regular for this sort of shade E Ink panel, and it means the Palma 2 Professional can present ebook covers, comics, internet pages, app icons and extra in shade however nonetheless give a crisp black and white e-paper expertise for textual content.
Picture 1 of 9
Palma 2 Professional display shut up exhibiting the high quality element and shade the show is able to. (Picture credit score: Future)Palma 2 (left) in comparison with Palma 2 Professional (proper) with the backlight off, exhibiting how the Professional’s color display is noticeably darker. (Picture credit score: Future)Palma 2 Professional display shut up, exhibiting the marginally grainy texture. (Picture credit score: Future)Palma 2 textual content shut up, exhibiting improved readability and cleaner whites. (Picture credit score: Future)The Palma 2 Professional icons are in color, but it surely’s not the colourful or shiny look you is perhaps used to with a cellphone. (Picture credit score: Future)The Palma 2 monochrome icons are clear however look plain with out shade. (Picture credit score: Future)From left to proper – the Palma, Palma 2 and Palma 2 Professional, exhibiting the totally different in white with the backlight set to the best shade temperature. (Picture credit score: Future)From left to proper – the Palma, Palma 2 and Palma 2 Professional, exhibiting the totally different in white with the backlight set to the warmest shade temperature. (Picture credit score: Future)An in depth up of the Palma 2 (left) vs Palma 2 Professional (proper) with the color temperature on the warmest setting. (Picture credit score: Future)
There’s a trade-off, and total readability suffers considerably. The colour layer sits over the monochrome layer and provides a high quality grid-like texture, so plain textual content doesn’t look fairly as crisp or contrasty because it does on the Palma 2, and clean areas have a barely grainy, screen-door-type look.
It’s nonetheless very readable, and I had no subject utilizing it for lengthy classes, however the monochrome Palma 2 has cleaner whites and higher distinction if all you care about is textual content.
Coloration on the Palma 2 Professional additionally shouldn’t be confused with shade on a cellphone or pill, or perhaps a journal print. It’s muted and pastel-like somewhat than shiny and vibrant, however that works effectively for an ereader.
The small touches of shade all through the OS make the machine really feel nicer to make use of, and switching again to a black-and-white ereader feels somewhat limiting, regardless of providing a greater show for studying textual content.
Picture 1 of 4
Album cowl artwork shows pretty effectively on the Palma 2 Professional(Picture credit score: Future)Color icons add depth the the interface. (Picture credit score: Future)The color vary is sweet, however has a muted tone in comparison with a cellphone display.(Picture credit score: Future)You’ll be able to choose a variety of writing / drawing colors within the Boox observe taking app(Picture credit score: Future)
Contact response is just like the Palma 2. Web page turns are fast sufficient, menus reply effectively sufficient and the touchscreen is correct, however there’s nonetheless noticeable lag in comparison with a cellphone in the event you drag gadgets round.
Display refreshes also can look barely fuzzier on the Professional as a result of the colour display exhibits a bit extra ghosting, although in the event you tweak the settings to your personal preferences, it produces a reasonably clear picture total.
As with the Palma 2, the two:1 facet ratio received’t go well with everybody, but it surely’s nonetheless the standout a part of the design. It makes the Palma 2 Professional an excellent match for individuals who already learn on their telephones and wish one thing simpler on the eyes, whereas nonetheless retaining the identical moveable really feel.
Boox describes the Palma 2 Professional as water-repellent, with safety towards day by day publicity comparable to spills, splashes and light-weight rain, but it surely’s not waterproof and doesn’t have an IP score. That’s high quality for regular use, however I wouldn’t deal with it like a water-proof ereader and take it within the bathtub.
• Design & show rating: 4 / 5
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional evaluate: Person expertise
- Android 15 with Google Play Retailer assist
- Extra customizable than a Kindle or Kobo
- File transfers are straightforward
The Palma 2 Professional nonetheless isn’t a cellphone, even when it seems to be extra like one than most ereaders. Setup is very like utilizing a small Android machine: you connect with Wi-Fi, register, activate the Play Retailer and begin putting in apps. It’s acquainted sufficient in the event you’ve used Android earlier than, however there are nonetheless loads of Boox-specific settings to get used to.
That further management is a part of the enchantment. You’ll be able to alter refresh habits, navigation, power-saving settings, app optimization and studying layouts in way more element than you may on a Kindle or Kobo. It may possibly really feel like lots at first, however in day by day use, the Palma 2 Professional offers you helpful management over how a lot velocity, readability and battery life you wish to prioritize.
Getting your paperwork and ebooks onto the machine is sort of straightforward. BooxDrop is an effective place to begin — it enables you to switch recordsdata from a cellphone or laptop over Wi-Fi. In case you are within the Google ecosystem, you should use the Drive app (or different Android app of your alternative) and wired transfers over a USB cable on Home windows simply require plugging it in.
The Android to Mac expertise isn’t as easy, and Apple requires its customers to put in third-party apps comparable to MacDroid to connect with an Android machine.
USB-C OTG assist additionally labored seamlessly, and just like the Palma 2, the Professional will fortunately learn recordsdata straight from a USB stick. For many customers, although, BooxDrop or cloud storage might be nonetheless the best choice.
The Palma 2 Professional runs Android and has entry to the Google Play Retailer, so you may obtain and use a variety of apps. (Picture credit score: Future)
Whereas the 2 gadgets are very related, in my testing the touchscreen is a bit higher on the Professional in comparison with the Palma 2, but it surely nonetheless doesn’t really feel wherever close to as responsive as a cellphone. Gentle faucets are sometimes not picked up and swipes don’t at all times give sufficient immediate suggestions to assist present you’re doing it proper.
As soon as I adjusted and used barely slower, extra purposeful contact interactions, it labored simply high quality, however there’s a little recalibration in comparison with the haptic really feel of a smartphone.
I didn’t have numerous endurance for NaviBall, Boox’s floating shortcut software that opens when tapped. The thought is beneficial, however in observe it usually sat over textual content or stopped pop-up buttons like affirm and cancel from working appropriately and needed to be moved earlier than these buttons could possibly be used. You’ll be able to transfer it round simply sufficient, however I ultimately stopped utilizing it, because it added extra friction total than comfort.
The Boox InkSense Plus stylus may be very succesful, with 4,096 strain ranges, tilt assist, a shortcut aspect button and replaceable 0.6mm ideas. It’s additionally an energetic stylus, so it wants charging by way of USB-C, not like the passive pens utilized by some note-taking tablets.
I discovered it nice for fast annotations, brief notes and tough sketches, however the small display measurement makes sustained handwriting impractical. The Notes app also can convert handwriting to textual content, however I did not discover this handy because of the restricted quantity of writing I did.
If writing is vital to you, take a look at my colleagues’ critiques of the 7-inch shade show Boox Go Coloration 7 Gen II, the monochrome 7-inch Boox Go 7 or the ten.3-inch Boox Observe Air5 C.
The Boox InkSense Plus stylus works effectively regardless of the small show (Picture credit score: Future)
Whereas Boox hasn’t famous any {hardware} modifications, the fingerprint scanner feels barely improved on the Professional. It’s straightforward to arrange, and in day by day use, I discovered it not often didn’t register and unlock on the primary go. That makes it really feel way more usable than it did on the Palma 2, the place the sensor wanted extra cautious finger placement.
Audio continues to be greatest judged by ereader requirements in comparison with the surprisingly good outcomes from some smartphones. The built-in speaker is ok for audiobooks and podcasts, however Bluetooth headphones or a small speaker are nonetheless the higher choice in the event you care about sound high quality.
I had no subject with pairing Bluetooth gadgets, however utilizing your favourite music streaming app wants a bit setup to get it to work appropriately. For instance, with YouTube Music, I needed to unfreeze the app and alter energy settings so Wi-Fi and Bluetooth weren’t turned off when the machine slept.
The draw back is that this has a noticeable affect on battery life, and in the event you use it as a music streamer, count on to cost it each few days. In case you are critical about utilizing it to play music, then one of the best guess is downloaded recordsdata and native playback via the built-in music app.
Video playback works, however solely within the loosest sense, and it doesn’t give a really watchable end result. That stated, music movies will be oddly nice in the event you lean into the low-resolution, low-frame-rate, pastel-color look.
The identical is true for a lot of cellular video games — something the place excessive decision or non-glacial framerates matter received’t be a lot enjoyable, however some titles are completely playable.
Picture 1 of two
The E Ink display isn’t usually nice for video. (Picture credit score: Future)Video games are playable on the Palma 2 Professional, however count on numerous ghosting(Picture credit score: Future)
The additional flexibility of having the ability to set up and use common apps is nice total, however regardless of the colour display, the Palma 2 Professional is a lot better regarded as a reading-first machine that occurs to deal with audio playback and different gentle Android duties higher than most ereaders.
• Person expertise rating: 4 / 5
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional evaluate: Efficiency
- Quicker than the Palma 2, however nonetheless restricted by E Ink
- Handles Android apps effectively for an E Ink machine
- Battery life is excellent
Due to further RAM, Android 15 and software program tuning, the Palma 2 Professional is barely quicker than the Palma 2 in day by day use, although it’s not the type of spec improve that modifications what the machine is sweet at.
It’s nonetheless an E Ink ereader first, so the enhancements are extra about smoother consumer expertise than enabling phone-like utilization.
Boox does not specify the precise processor, however CPU X identifies the chipset as QTI SM6350, with two cores operating at 2.07GHz and 6 at 1.71GHz, plus Adreno 619 graphics.
That is the identical class of {hardware} because the Palma 2, however the Professional pairs it with 8GB of RAM somewhat than 6GB. Android 15 and Boox’s software program tuning additionally assist the Professional really feel smoother in day by day use.
The colour display makes viewing internet pages lots nicer. [Palma 2 left vs Palma 2 Pro right] (Picture credit score: Future)
In Geekbench 6 benchmark testing, the Palma 2 Professional scored 632 for single-core, 1,586 for multi-core and 835 for GPU, in comparison with the Palma 2’s 519, 1,211 and 723 respectively.
That places it 22% forward in single-core testing, 31% forward in multi-core and 15% forward for GPU, giving the Professional a measurable benefit even when the real-world distinction is a little more modest than the numbers would possibly recommend.
In real-world use, web page turns really feel barely quicker and smoother than on the Palma 2, however the distinction is small. App launching and multitasking are a bit higher too. Apps open a contact faster, menus really feel extra responsive and gesture navigation is noticeably simpler to stay with than it was on the Palma 2.
You continue to want to permit for the same old E Ink delay, however the Professional feels rather less hesitant when leaping between apps or digging into settings.
As with the Palma 2, gaming on the Professional can also be workable, so long as you retain expectations life like. Easy video games like Alphabear 2 and Two Dots run high quality, whereas extra visually concerned video games comparable to Monument Valley 2 and Sky: Kids of the Gentle are playable in a approach that feels odd, however not disagreeable, on the E Ink display.
The colour show does assist right here, although the muted tones and decrease refresh price imply that is nonetheless extra of a novelty than a tool you’d choose for gaming.
From left to proper: Palma, Palma 2, Palma 2 Professional, with the backlight off, exhibiting that the colour display is noticeably darker. (Picture credit score: Future)
Battery life is a bit decrease than the Palma 2, which isn’t shocking contemplating the higher efficiency. The Professional makes use of the identical 3,950mAh battery capability because the Palma 2, and total endurance continues to be excellent.
The colour display itself doesn’t use any further energy when it isn’t being refreshed, and even refreshes solely use barely extra. The larger affect comes from utilization: when displaying numerous shade, the decrease reflectivity means you are inclined to have the entrance gentle set barely brighter than when studying plain textual content.
With conservative settings and round an hour of studying a day, I’d count on about 5 to 6 weeks from a cost, whereas the Palma 2 will do per week or two longer. In the event you’re utilizing extra apps, streaming audio, looking the online and making use of wi-fi connections, two to 3 weeks is a extra life like expectation of battery life.
Charging velocity will nonetheless depend upon what you plug it into, however the Professional tops up faster than the Palma 2 does in the identical take a look at. Utilizing a wall adapter, the Palma 2 Professional went from 20% to full in round two hours, whereas charging from a laptop computer dock took it from 25% to 71% in an hour.
Total, the Palma 2 Professional is a modest however helpful step up in efficiency. Responsiveness continues to be restricted by the lower-end {hardware} and E Ink show, but it surely feels smoother, handles Android higher and has greater than sufficient battery life to work effectively as a day by day ereader.
• Efficiency rating: 4 / 5
Ought to I purchase the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Worth
It’s an costly ereader, and whereas the colour display, stylus assist, Android flexibility and pocketable form assist justify the value, it’s solely value it if you’ll use all of the options.
3/5
Design & show
The phone-like design stays wonderful, and shade E Ink offers further enchantment. Textual content isn’t as crisp as on the Palma 2, although, and the machine itself nonetheless doesn’t really feel premium.
4/5
Person expertise
Android 15, Google Play entry and Boox’s customization make this extra versatile than a Kindle or Kobo, although it nonetheless takes some setup to get one of the best from it.
4/5
Efficiency
The upgraded reminiscence and software program make it really feel quicker than the Palma 2, but it surely’s nonetheless an E Ink machine that’s greatest suited to studying.
4/5
Total
The Palma 2 Professional is an much more versatile tackle one of the attention-grabbing ereaders round. It’s nonetheless costly, however the shade show, stylus assist and compact Android design make it straightforward to love.
4/5
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
The Palma 2 Professional sits comfortably in hand. (Picture credit score: Future)
Additionally take into account
There aren’t many direct rivals to the Palma 2 Professional, which makes recommending alternate options a bit tough. Its phone-like form, shade E Ink show, Android flexibility, cellular knowledge assist and stylus compatibility put it in a really small class. Gadgets just like the Bigme HiBreak Plus/Professional have very related options, however we now have not been in a position to take a look at one but, and they’re tougher to purchase plus not as effectively supported as a recognized identify like Boox.
In the end, most patrons will probably be selecting between the Palma 2 Professional and a extra typical ereader, or deciding whether or not the common Palma 2 is sufficient. I’ve included the closest sensible choices beneath, overlaying the usual Palma 2 and two mainstream 6-inch ereaders.
For much more choices, take a look at our information to one of the best ereaders.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional
Onyx Boox Palma 2
Amazon Kindle (2024)
Kobo Clara BW
Value
$380 / £380 / AU$679
$250 / £249 / AU$499
$130 / £105 / AU$199 (no adverts)
$140 / £130 / AU$250
Display
6.13-inch E Ink Kaleido 3
6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200
6-inch E Ink Carta 1200
6-inch E Ink Carta 1300
Decision
300ppi B/W; 150ppi shade
300ppi
300ppi
300ppi
Working system
Android 15
Android 13
Linux-based
Linux based mostly
Storage
128GB (expandable)
128GB (expandable)
16GB
16GB
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
Unknown
1GHz
Battery
3,950mAh
3,950mAh
Unknown capability, as much as 6 weeks
1,500mAh, as much as 53 days
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, data-only SIM assist
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
Waterproofing
No IP score, water-repellent
No IP score, water-repellent
No
IPX8
File assist (together with audio and pictures)
26
26
18
15 + audio
Audio
Constructed-in speaker, Bluetooth
Constructed-in speaker, Bluetooth
Bluetooth, no speaker
Bluetooth, no speaker
Dimensions
159 × 80 × 8.8 mm
159 × 80 × 8 mm
157.8 x 108.6 x 8 mm
160 x 112 x 9.2 mm
Weight
172g (measured)
166g (measured)
158g
174g
How I examined the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional
- Used as my day by day studying machine for 8 weeks
- Sideloaded eBooks, music and different recordsdata by way of BooxDrop, cloud, electronic mail and USB
- Downloaded Android apps for benchmarking, studying, streaming, looking and light-weight gaming
I started by following the on-screen setup course of, connecting the Palma 2 Professional to Wi-Fi, activating Google Play and adjusting the principle Boox settings for refresh price, power-saving and system navigation. Like different Boox gadgets, there are extra customization choices right here than you’ll discover on a Kindle or Kobo, so I spent a while tuning the setup earlier than utilizing it as my day by day ereader.
I used BooxDrop to switch ebooks and music recordsdata, then examined different switch strategies together with Google Drive, electronic mail, OTG and wired file switch.
I downloaded Android apps from the Play Retailer, together with Geekbench 6, CPU X, Google Play Books, Kindle, Kobo, Chrome, YouTube Music and a small choice of video games. The studying apps had been used to verify web page turns, refresh habits and show optimization, whereas the music and browser apps had been used to check how effectively the Palma 2 Professional handles extra common Android duties.
For many of the eight-week testing interval, I used the Palma 2 Professional day by day as an ereader. I additionally used it for internet looking, native music playback, YouTube Music streaming, audiobooks, gentle gaming and occasional video playback to check the place its E Ink limitations stood out.
To check it straight with the Palma 2, I used each gadgets aspect by aspect for studying, app use, navigation, scanning, pattern pictures and benchmarking. That comparability was particularly helpful for checking whether or not the colour show, further RAM and Android 15 made a sensible distinction in day by day use.
Learn extra about how we take a look at.
[First reviewed May 2026]
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Professional: Value Comparability
