When BOOX announced the Palma 2 Pro, they did something bold: they brought color to an e-reader that fits in your pocket. At just 175 grams and measuring 159 x 80 x 8.8mm, this 6.13-inch device redefines what’s possible when you combine cutting-edge e-ink technology with thoughtful Android integration. Since its November 2025 launch, the Palma 2 Pro has captured the attention of readers and digital nomads alike, offering an experience that sits somewhere between a smartphone and a traditional e-reader—but is uniquely its own.
First Impressions Matter: The Design
Holding the Palma 2 Pro feels like holding something from the future that somehow weighs less than your expectations. It’s genuinely lighter than most smartphones, with a minimalist design that feels intentional rather than sparse. The textured back panel resembles rough watercolor paper, giving your hand something to grip onto during extended reading sessions. The matte finish resists fingerprints without feeling clinical.
The device comes in black or white, each complemented by a magnetic 2-in-1 protective case that includes both a flip cover and detachable silicone phone case. The flip cover supports MagSafe, allowing you to use magnetic accessories like stands and grips. It’s a small detail that speaks to BOOX’s understanding of modern device usage.
Display Technology: Color Without Compromise
The Palma 2 Pro features a 6.13-inch Kaleido 3 color e-paper display—BOOX’s first Palma device to embrace color. This matters. The screen can display 4,096 colors, offering genuine visual enhancement for comics, web browsing, and note-taking compared to purely monochrome alternatives.
Here’s the technical breakdown: the display achieves 300 PPI for black and white content and 150 PPI for color. That resolution drop is real, but in practice, it means comics stay readable while text remains crisp. The glass surface sits flush with the bezel, creating a seamless look. For nighttime reading, the front-lit screen includes both cool and warm lighting modes, and the adjustable color temperature eliminates the blue-light fatigue that comes with traditional backlit displays.
One note: the Kaleido 3 panel is notably dimmer than LCD screens, requiring frequent use of the front light in well-lit environments. It’s a trade-off inherent to e-ink technology, not a flaw of this particular device.
Performance: Power Where You’d Least Expect It
Running on an octa-core processor with BOOX’s proprietary BSR (Boox Super Refresh) technology, the Palma 2 Pro pairs 8GB of RAM with 128GB of internal storage. These specs are absurdly powerful for an e-reader, but they translate into tangible benefits: snappy app switching, smooth multitasking, and responsive web browsing that never leaves you waiting.
Android 15 runs the show here, giving you access to the entire Google Play Store ecosystem. This is crucial. While BOOX includes its own e-reading app (Neoreader), you’re free to install Kindle, Kobo, Libby, and dozens of other reading apps. The operating system remains refreshingly uncluttered—no bloatware beyond BOOX’s own applications.
The BSR technology deserves special mention. It lets you customize refresh rates and display settings per app, meaning you can maximize color vibrancy when reading comics, crank up contrast for text-heavy articles, or optimize for speed when scrolling through maps.
Connectivity That Actually Works
The hybrid SIM slot represents perhaps the most practical innovation here. It accepts either a data-only SIM for cellular connectivity or a microSD card (supporting up to 2TB expansion). You can’t make traditional calls or send SMS messages, but that’s less limiting than it sounds—WhatsApp, Messenger, Zoom, and other internet-based communication apps work flawlessly. The A-GPS functionality pairs with cellular data to provide reliable location services for navigation and fitness tracking.
Standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity round out the wireless capabilities. The inclusion of dual microphones and a built-in speaker means you can take calls, listen to podcasts, and enjoy audiobooks with surprising clarity for such a compact device.
Writing and Note-Taking: The Stylus Story
For the first time in the Palma series, the Palma 2 Pro supports stylus input through the InkSense Plus stylus (sold separately for $46). This pen uses Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) technology, featuring 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and charging via USB-C.
The writing experience is competent rather than exceptional. The slight optical gap between the physical surface and the display layer undermines the illusion of ink-on-paper contact, and the darker Kaleido 3 panel means you’ll often need the front light on while writing. That said, for quick notes, editing PDFs, and marking up documents, the stylus transforms the Palma 2 Pro into a genuinely useful productivity device. OneNote and Evernote work well here.
One limitation: the stylus doesn’t include a magnet on the device itself, so you’ll need to keep it secure in your case to avoid losing it.
The Rest of the Hardware
A 16MP rear camera with LED flash sits on the back panel. It’s an odd inclusion for an e-reader, but it handles document scanning, QR codes, and occasional photography. A power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, eliminating the need to remember passcodes. The volume buttons function as page-turn controls, and a programmable smart button supports customizable short-press, double-click, and long-press actions.
The 3,950mAh battery delivers weeks of reading on a single charge—e-ink consumes minimal power compared to traditional displays. USB-C handles both charging and data transfer.
Software and Customization
BOOX maintains a minimalist interface that puts focus on your content rather than interface chrome. The Palma 2 Pro supports essentially every major ebook format: EPUB, MOBI, PDF, AZW3, CBR, CBZ, and more. You can store your entire library locally or access it through cloud services.
The device comes with free 10GB of BOOX cloud storage for each account, useful for syncing notes across devices. For those seeking offline reading without DRM restrictions, Neoreader supports sideloaded books.
Who Is This For?
The Palma 2 Pro occupies an interesting niche. It’s not a phone—you can’t make calls or use traditional SMS. It’s not a traditional tablet—the e-ink display prioritizes readability over refresh rates. Instead, it’s a distraction-free device for people who want to read, write notes, and stay connected without the constant notification overload of smartphones.
It appeals to travelers who value portability, commuters tired of smartphone scrolling, students taking notes during lectures, and professionals who need to review documents on the go. It’s for people who understand that sometimes a smaller, focused device is more valuable than a larger, do-everything one.
Value Proposition
At $399.99, the Palma 2 Pro sits at a premium price point. BOOX offers the standard Palma 2 for $249.99, making the Pro model a $150 investment in color display, stylus support, cellular connectivity, and Android 15. Whether that premium is justified depends on your specific needs. For reading text alone, the standard Palma 2 offers better value. For the combination of reading, note-taking, and connectivity, the Pro makes sense.
The Bigger Picture
The Palma 2 Pro represents something important: proof that innovation in e-readers doesn’t require reinventing the wheel, just thoughtful refinement. BOOX took the solid foundation of the Palma 2, added color, brought in stylus support, integrated cellular connectivity, and released it with Android 15. Each addition feels purposeful.
In an era where devices grow larger and more demanding, the Palma 2 Pro moves in the opposite direction. It whispers instead of shouts. It offers exactly what you need without distraction. For the right person, that’s revolutionary.
Whether you’re an avid reader looking for a portable companion, a note-taker seeking something lighter than a tablet, or someone tired of smartphone notifications, the BOOX Palma 2 Pro deserves your attention. It won’t replace your phone. But for many people, it does something almost better: it makes you want to leave your phone behind.
Available: November 7, 2025
Price: $399.99
Storage Options: 128GB (expandable via microSD)
Colors: Black, White
