Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro Review

Overview

The Boox Palma 2 Pro is a 6.1-inch Android 15 color e-ink device released in November 2025, serving as a direct upgrade to the Boox Palma 2 from the previous year. It represents a significant evolution in the brand's "pocketable" lineup by becoming the first consumer e-ink device to combine a color display and pen support in such a compact form factor. The device’s core value proposition lies in its ability to function as a distraction-free smartphone alternative that still supports rich media like comics, manga, and graphic novels, which are often difficult to enjoy on standard black-and-white e-readers.

Key upgrades over the predecessor include the adoption of the Kaleido 3 color e-ink display, the addition of pen support, a microSD card slot, and 5G data SIM capability (without voice calls). The back features a sandstone-like texture for grip, while a small camera bump houses a 16MP camera with a flash. Despite these new features, the device maintains the Palma family’s philosophy of being a highly portable, single-purpose tool for reading, distinct from the more complex, multi-function tablets in the market.

Strengths

Expert reviews consistently praise the Palma 2 Pro for its portability, responsive performance, and the unique flexibility of Android 15 for running apps like comic readers and manga apps. The device is described as working "fine" and being "responsive," making it a great tool specifically for reading.

Color Display for Comics and Manga

The Kaleido 3 color screen is the standout feature that differentiates this device from its monochrome siblings. While it uses an affordable RGB light filter technology that caps color depth at 4,096 colors, it is specifically optimized for color content like graphic novels and manga. This allows users to enjoy a visual reading experience that is impossible on standard Carta e-ink screens, making it a "worthy addition" for fans of illustrated literature.

5G Connectivity and SIM Support

Unlike many Wi-Fi-only e-readers, the Palma 2 Pro includes a nano SIM slot that supports 5G data (and LTE), enabling connectivity without the distractions of a full smartphone. This feature allows users to access online libraries or cloud services while traveling, yet the device lacks voice calling capabilities, reinforcing its role as a dedicated reading device.

Customizable Smart Button and Pen Support

The device includes a customizable smart button that adds functional versatility for quick actions. Furthermore, the addition of pen support is a major milestone, allowing for basic interaction and annotation, making it the first device in this small form factor to offer such capabilities.

Trade-offs

Despite its innovative features, the Palma 2 Pro faces significant criticisms regarding its screen quality for images and its writing experience. The consensus is that while the color screen is a step forward, it introduces trade-offs that make black-and-white reading superior.

Lower Resolution and Fuzzy Images

The Kaleido 3 panel suffers from lower resolution compared to monochrome e-ink. While grayscale text renders at 300 PPI, color content is limited to 150 PPI, which results in fuzzy images and less depth for photos. Expert reviewers note that the color display's quality is a "major drawback" for users who expect crisp, high-definition visuals, making the device better suited for text-heavy or line-art content rather than detailed color photography.

Smooth Stylus Surface and Poor Writing Feel

The writing feel is widely criticized as "subpar." The screen surface is described as smooth and lacking the necessary friction for the stylus, which makes note-taking "less satisfying". While pen support is a new feature, the lack of tactile feedback means the device is not a viable replacement for dedicated note-taking tablets like the ReMarkable or iPad, limiting its utility for serious annotation.

Limited Size for Note-Taking

Even with pen support, the 6.1-inch size is considered too small to be an effective note-taking device. The screen is not large enough to comfortably view documents and write simultaneously, and the device lacks advanced features required to double as a mobile phone or a robust productivity tool. This reinforces that the device is primarily a reader, not a computer.

Specifications

Who Should Buy It

The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is the ideal choice for comic and manga readers who prioritize portability and want a distraction-free device that supports color content. It is also perfect for travelers who want 5G connectivity for online reading without the temptation of social media apps or voice calls. If you enjoy graphic novels and need a device that fits in a pocket but offers color, this is your best option.

However, you should NOT buy this device if your primary goal is note-taking, journaling, or reading high-resolution color photos. The smooth screen and low color resolution make it frustrating for writing and viewing detailed images. If you need a serious writing tool, consider a larger e-ink tablet like the Onyx Boox Note series or a standard tablet. For readers who only consume black-and-white text and want the highest resolution, the monochrome Boox Palma 2 (non-Pro) is a better, more cost-effective value.

Sources

• Boox Palma 2 Pro Review - YouTube
• Review: Boox Palma 2 Pro 6.1-inch Android 15 e-reader | Parka Blogs
• BOOX Palma 2 Pro Review: Color and handwriting and LTE, oh my!
• I ditched my phones for the Onyx Boox Palma 2. Distractions ...
• Boox Palma 2 Pro review: one step forward, one step back - Reddit
• Got 45mins to spend on a Boox Palma 2 Pro deep dive!?! - Reddit
• Boox Palma 2 Pro Review | Missed the point? - YouTube
• Palma 2 Pro Comparison / Review… : r/Onyx_Boox - Reddit
• Boox Palma 2 or Palma 2 Pro recommendation? - Facebook