Boox Palma 2 Review: The Brilliant Pocket-Sized ePaper Game-Changer

Introduction – Boox Palma 2 review

In a world dominated by large tablets and smartphones, the Boox Palma 2 stands out for going the other way: offering ePaper reading in a smartphone-sized form. Aimed at readers who want portability without sacrificing functionality, this model adds some meaningful upgrades over its predecessor. But does it deliver enough to justify the premium price? This review takes a deep dive into what’s good, what’s lacking, and who this device is for.

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1. Key Specifications – Boox Palma 2 review

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2. Design & Display Experience

Design

• The Palma 2 retains a phone-like form factor: narrow, tall, easy to grip one handed. TechRadar+1

• Build material is plastic; white model tends to pick up stains/scratches more visibly. There is conflicting feedback on how premium the finish feels vs. its price point. TechRadar+1

• New addition: fingerprint sensor in the power button for easier unlocking. TechRadar+2The Verge+2

Display – Boox Palma 2 review

• E Ink Carta 1200 at 300 ppi gives crisp text, excellent contrast. Ideal for reading books, PDFs etc. TechRadar+26monthslater.net+2

• Dual-tone front lights allow warm/cool adjustments; and there are modes to reduce ghosting (BOOX Super Refresh / BSR modes: Balanced, Fast, Ultrafast etc.) for smoother experience when scrolling or using apps. The Official BOOX Store+2TechRadar+2

• Because ePaper refresh is slower than LCD/OLED, animations, typing, or video aren’t as fluid—but that’s expected and part of trade-offs for eye-comfort and battery. TechRadar+1

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3. Performance & Software

• Android 13 brings more modern software, improved security, and better compatibility with newer apps. TechRadar+2The Verge+2

• 6 GB RAM and upgraded octa-core chip improve multitasking over earlier models; opening apps is snappier than earlier Palma in some scenarios. However, in many reading-centric tasks, the difference may be modest. TechRadar+1

• NeoReader (Boox’s native reading app) gets praise for flexibility — font, spacing, margins, themes (including dark mode) etc. Easy to install third party reading apps as well (Kindle, Kobo etc.). TechRadar+1

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4. Battery Life & Charging

• Battery is 3,950 mAh. Under typical reading usage, battery life is good. Some users report needing to charge about once per week depending on usage patterns. overkill Media+2TechRadar+2

• Charging is via USB-C. No fast-charge miracles, but suitable for topping up. OTG support is included (allowing external storage, etc.) The Official BOOX Store+1

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5. Additional Features

• Camera: 16 MP rear camera with LED flash. Useful for scanning documents or quick OCR, but image quality is not comparable with high-end phone cameras. TechRadar+1

• Speakers & Audio: Built-in speaker(s) & dual microphones. Acceptable for audiobooks or voice commands; for music better to use Bluetooth headphones or external speaker. TechRadar+1

• Fingerprint Sensor: Adds security and convenience. Worth noting because unlocking with fingerprint is quicker than entering PIN or pattern each time. TechRadar+1

• Expansion / File Formats: microSD slot, wide file format support (PDF, EPUB, CBR, CBZ, etc.). Great for carrying large libraries. TechRadar+1

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6. Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very portable and pocketable compared to 7-8-inch eReaders or tablets

• High screen quality for reading; eye comfort is strong due to eInk + adjustable front light

• Generous storage and flexible format / app support

• Android 13 + fingerprint ≈ more secure and modern than older Palma model

• Useful extras: camera/OCR, audio capabilities, dual-microphones, microSD slot

Cons

• Price is relatively high compared to basic eReaders (e.g. Kindle, Kobo) TechRadar+1

• Plastic build feels less premium, prone to wear (scratches, staining) especially with lighter colours TechRadar+1

• eInk’s limitations: not ideal for fast animations, video, or heavy graphic content; screen refresh slower than phones/tablets TechRadar

• Water resistance is limited (splash proof) and lacking a full IP rating; camera quality modest TechRadar

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7. Comparison: Palma 2 vs Alternatives

8. Verdict – Boox Palma 2 review

The Boox Palma 2 is best seen as a premium niche device: perfect for someone who wants a very portable reader, wants to reduce screen glare and eye strain compared to normal phones, but still expects more capability than a basic eReader.

If you mostly read in a single reading app and don’t need many extras, it might be overkill (and pricier) than required. But if you want one device that can handle reading, light note-taking, podcasts or audiobooks, scanning documents, and you value portability, this is one of the best options in its class as of mid-2025.

If I were to assign a recommendation: Highly recommended for serious readers, professionals, commuters; Less so if your priorities are low cost, rugged build, or maximum battery for simple reading.

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9. FAQs – Boox Palma 2 review

Q1: Is the screen in Palma 2 better than the original Palma?
A: The screen tech (E Ink Carta 1200, 300 ppi) is largely the same. The major upgrades are in CPU, software (Android 13), fingerprint sensor, refresh modes. If reading is your main task, you’ll notice improvements but perhaps not dramatic ones.

Q2: How’s the battery life?
A: For reading primarily, expect about a week or more, depending on lighting, use of WiFi or Bluetooth, and how many apps are running. Heavy app usage will reduce that.

Q3: Can it replace my smartphone for reading & light tasks?
A: To some extent yes. It handles reading, audiobooks/podcasts, document scanning etc. But for video, rapid response tasks or high-fps gaming, a regular smartphone still outperforms due to display refresh etc.

Q4: Does it have waterproofing?
A: It is described as splash-proof, but there is no confirmed full IP rating. So avoid full immersion or heavy water exposure. TechRadar+1

Q5: Is 128 GB storage overkill?
A: It depends on usage. If you store many ebooks, audiobooks, many apps, or large files (PDFs, comics), then yes it’s useful. If you mostly just read lighter text ebooks, you won’t fill it up quickly, but the space gives flexibility.

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Conclusion & Call-to-Action

The Boox Palma 2 strikes a satisfying balance between portability and capability. It’s not perfect, but for its target audience — readers who want more than what simple eReaders offer, yet want a device that’s easy to carry — it delivers excellent value.

If you’re curious whether it fits your reading habits, consider:

• how many apps or other tasks you’ll want besides reading

• whether build quality / durability matters a lot

• what price you can get it at (sales can make a difference)

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Thinking of getting one?

I’ve been using the Boox Palma 2 for a while now, and it really is a unique device. What I love most is how pocketable it is—slips into a jeans pocket like a phone but gives me that crisp E-Ink display that’s easy on the eyes for long reading sessions. The adjustable warm and cool front lights make a big difference at night, and being able to load multiple apps—Kindle, Kobo, even podcasts—means I’m not locked into one ecosystem. The storage is generous, the fingerprint unlock is convenient, and I even found the camera handy for quick document scans.

That said, it’s not perfect. It’s definitely pricier than a Kindle or Kobo, and because of the plastic build, it doesn’t feel quite as premium as the cost might suggest. The fingerprint sensor can be finicky, and like any e-ink device, you’ll notice lag with scrolling or animations—it’s not a phone replacement. Battery life is solid if you stick to reading, but if you start installing apps or refreshing a lot, you’ll be charging more often. Overall, I’d recommend it for readers who value portability and flexibility, but not if you’re expecting a fast, all-purpose gadget.