The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is a phone-sized color e-reader that fits in your pocket like a slim smartphone but functions more like a stripped-down tablet. Onyx released the device with a 6.13-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and hybrid 5G cellular connectivity, priced at $399 USD in the US market.
Key Takeaways
- Color E Ink display differentiates Palma 2 Pro from the monochrome standard Palma 2 model.
- 5G SIM slot enables standalone mobile connectivity without tethering to a smartphone.
- Android 15 OS is two generations newer than the standard Palma 2’s Android 13.
- At $399, the device positions itself between e-readers and smartphones, appealing to a narrow audience.
- Low refresh rates and stuttering content movement are inherent E Ink limitations that color display does not solve.
Why the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro Exists (And Why That Matters)
The Palma 2 Pro targets a specific user: someone burned out on smartphones who wants a digital detox without total disconnection. The color E Ink Kaleido 3 display is the headline feature, allowing you to read magazines, comics, and annotated documents in actual color rather than the grayscale monochrome of the standard Palma 2. This is genuinely useful if you read illustrated content regularly. The addition of 5G cellular connectivity via a hybrid SIM slot means you can browse, email, and access apps without owning a phone—a claim few e-readers can make.
But here is the friction: at $399, the Palma 2 Pro costs nearly as much as a budget Android phone. That price buys you a device that is slower, less responsive, and less capable than an actual smartphone in almost every measurable way. Onyx is asking you to pay premium money for a deliberately limited experience. For some users, that limitation is the entire appeal. For most, it is a hard sell.
What the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro Gets Right
The color display is the standout upgrade over the standard Palma 2. E Ink Kaleido 3 renders color reasonably well for reading and annotation, though it is not vibrant—expect muted, accurate tones rather than saturated hues. If you read graphic novels, textbooks with color diagrams, or annotated PDFs, this display justifies its existence in ways the monochrome predecessor cannot.
The 5G connectivity is genuinely novel for a pocket e-reader. You can add a data-only SIM and use the device to check email, browse light websites, and download books without ever connecting to a smartphone. The fingerprint scanner built into the power button works reliably, and the 2:1 aspect ratio makes the 6.13-inch screen feel less cramped than you might expect. Battery life is excellent, though Onyx does not specify exact duration—a frustrating omission for a device marketed partly on portability.
Android 15 is a genuine upgrade from the standard Palma 2’s Android 13, bringing newer features and security patches. The 8GB of RAM is 2GB more than the standard model, and 128GB of storage is ample for thousands of books and apps. The device includes a rear camera with DocScan and OCR functionality, useful for digitizing documents, though the camera itself is not great compared to smartphone alternatives.
Where the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro Falls Apart
The refresh rate problem is insurmountable. E Ink technology inherently struggles with fast updates, and the Palma 2 Pro is no exception—moving content looks slow and stuttery. Scrolling through a webpage or swiping between apps feels like operating a device from 2015. This is not a flaw unique to Onyx; it is baked into E Ink itself. Color display does not solve this. If you are accustomed to smartphone responsiveness, the Palma 2 Pro will feel agonizingly slow.
The speaker is perfectly fine for audiobooks but not good for music, so you will want Bluetooth headphones anyway. The stylus support is a nice addition, but the InkSense Plus stylus is sold separately—it is not included in the box. For a $399 device, that stings.
The camera quality is not great. Onyx includes DocScan and OCR, which are genuinely useful for document capture, but a smartphone camera would outperform this 16MP sensor significantly. If document scanning is your primary use case, you already own a better tool.
Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro vs. the Standard Palma 2
The standard Boox Palma 2 costs less and runs Android 13 with 6GB of RAM and a monochrome E Ink Carta 1200 display. It lacks color, lacks 5G, and lacks the stylus support of the Pro model. If you read only text-based books and do not need color, the standard Palma 2 is the smarter buy—you save money and lose nothing you actually need. The Palma 2 Pro justifies its premium only if you read illustrated content regularly or genuinely need standalone 5G connectivity.
Compared to mainstream e-readers like the Kindle or Kobo Clara 2E, the Palma 2 Pro is a niche product. Those devices are larger, cheaper, and better optimized for reading. The Palma 2 Pro trades reading excellence for portability and app access—a trade that appeals to a specific user archetype but not the mass market.
Should You Buy the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro?
Buy it if you read color comics, magazines, or annotated PDFs regularly and want a pocket-sized device that does not feel like a smartphone. Buy it if you genuinely want to disconnect from your phone but maintain email and web access without carrying two devices. Buy it if you are willing to tolerate slow refresh rates and stuttering scrolling as the price of digital minimalism.
Do not buy it if you expect smartphone-like responsiveness, if you read only text-based books, if you want a stylus included in the box, or if you are looking for value. A used smartphone would serve you better in almost every practical dimension. The Palma 2 Pro is not a phone replacement—it is a lifestyle statement for people who have already decided they want a lifestyle device and are willing to pay for it.
Is the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro worth $399?
Only if you fit the narrow target user profile. For text-only reading, it is overpriced. For color reading with 5G connectivity and minimal distractions, it is defensible. The price positions the device between budget smartphones and premium e-readers, which means it competes poorly against both. You are paying for a specific combination of features—color, size, and connectivity—that most people do not need.
Does the Palma 2 Pro include a stylus?
No. Stylus support is present, but the InkSense Plus stylus is sold separately. For a device at this price point, including the stylus would have made the package more compelling.
How does the Palma 2 Pro compare to the standard Palma 2?
The Pro model adds a color E Ink Kaleido 3 display, 5G cellular connectivity, Android 15 (versus Android 13), and 8GB of RAM (versus 6GB). The standard Palma 2 is cheaper and sufficient if you read only text-based books without needing color or standalone connectivity.
The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is a thoughtfully designed device for a specific audience. If you are that audience, it delivers. If you are not, it is an expensive way to learn that you do not actually want a pocket e-reader with color display and 5G. The real question is not whether the Palma 2 Pro is good—it is whether you need what it offers badly enough to justify the cost.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
