Imagine a device that fits snugly in your pocket, runs Android, and isn’t a smartphone—sounds intriguing, right? Meet the Boox Palma 2 Pro, a pocket-sized reader that’s turning heads, but not without sparking some debate. For years, color E Ink technology has been hailed as the holy grail for reading magazines, comics, and documents on low-power devices. Boox even ventured into making a $1,900 color E Ink monitor (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/e-ink-android-tablet-maker-onyx-boox-is-making-a-1900-color-e-ink-monitor/), but here’s where it gets controversial: while these screens do display colors, they often fall short of the vibrancy we’re used to on LCD or OLED displays. The Palma 2 Pro is no exception—its screen is less sharp in color mode, dropping from a crisp 824 × 1648 in monochrome to a mere 412 × 824 when color is enabled. Is this a dealbreaker, or a compromise worth making for portability?
But that’s not all—this second-gen Palma introduces a SIM card slot, and this is the part most people miss: it’s not for making calls. Instead, it lets the device access 5G mobile data alongside Wi-Fi, making it a truly connected reader. Running Android 15 out of the box is a big win for Boox, which has historically relied on older OS versions. However, there’s a catch: upgrades aren’t guaranteed, and Google services aren’t officially supported. Still, Boox offers a workaround to install the Play Store, so you’re not entirely cut off from apps. Is this enough to justify the $399.99 price tag? (https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2pro)
Available for preorder now, with shipping expected around November 14, the Palma 2 Pro is a bold step forward in portable reading technology. But here’s the question: Does it strike the right balance between innovation and practicality, or is it a niche device for a select few? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re eager to hear if you’d trade vibrant colors for pocket-sized convenience.
