If you're looking for a quick guide to the BOOX Palma 2 Pro that gets straight to the point but doesn't leave anything out, you've come to the right place. This article brings together everything relevant in one place: what the device is like, how to set it up, how its e-ink screen performs, its battery life, and practical tips that will make your life easier. And it does so in a friendly and clear style, like when a friend tells you what worked for them and what didn't. If you also want to compare it with other compact eReader alternatives , there are some interesting options on the market.
The Palma 2 (and, by extension, any "Pro" variant with a similar base) is designed as a distraction-free haven for reading books, articles, or listening to audio without the temptation of your phone. Its approach is different: it doesn't aim to replace your phone, but rather to be a highly capable pocket reader that, thanks to Android and the Play Store, allows you to use your favorite apps with the advantages of e-ink.
It's not meant to be a phone: it doesn't have a SIM card slot . Instead, it offers a microSD card slot for expanding storage, a very useful feature if you accumulate books, podcasts, music, or documents. BOOX's idea is clear: to let you go out with something light, versatile, and without the typical distractions of a smartphone.
It feels good in hand. The design is discreet and elegant, with a textured back that improves grip . It's light and comfortable to hold during long reading sessions. However, there are some areas for improvement: the power button could be better centered, and unlocking it can be tricky with certain cases. BOOX also includes a dedicated left-side button for manually refreshing the screen, a simple and useful feature that we'll discuss in the E Ink section.
As a "smart" e-reader, it's a great fit for anyone who wants a device to disconnect from their phone in the late afternoon, continue reading or checking articles, and at the same time keep Telegram or YouTube Music handy. If you already own the first Palma, upgrading isn't essential: there's more speed and some improvements, yes, but the philosophy and overall experience remain largely the same.
Start-up and first impressions
Starting up the Palma 2 is like getting a brand new Android phone: you log in with your Google account , scroll through the assistants and permissions, and in no time you're installing your favorite apps. Herein lies the pros and cons of its proposition: having full Android is incredibly powerful, but the nature of e-ink means that some interactions aren't as smooth as on an LCD/OLED screen.
During the initial setup, where you have to type and navigate menus, you'll notice that the E Ink refreshes the image in a "jump" fashion . This is normal: that's how this technology works, as it's not designed for animations or fast typing, but rather for displaying text with excellent visual comfort and low power consumption. In this second generation, the experience is an improvement over the first Palma—it feels more responsive—but it still doesn't compare to a traditional smartphone.
Once set up, having Google Play is a blessing. You can download Kindle, Moon+ Reader, Pocket, or Instapaper for saved articles, Chrome for browsing (much better than the basic browsers that come with some eReaders), Telegram to stay reachable, and YouTube Music or your favorite audiobook app to accompany your reading with background sound. In everyday use, the combination works surprisingly well.
Physically, in addition to the power button, the Palma 2 includes a left-side button that forces a full screen refresh . This is a very convenient solution for clearing "ghosting" when content leaves a trace. Important: If you use a case, check that it doesn't obstruct access to the buttons; some can interfere with locking/unlocking.
There's a fingerprint reader to speed up access, though it's not the most reliable: it can sometimes be frustrating . If you find it fails more often than you'd like, consider using a PIN or pattern, or waking the device with the power button and leaving fingerprint unlocking as a secondary option.
E Ink display: refresh modes and reading experience
The key to any eReader is the screen. Here, BOOX offers several refresh rates to balance sharpness and speed depending on what you're doing. Let's remember how E Ink works: if the content doesn't change, the image remains static, as if printed; when there are changes (scrolling, writing, animations), the screen refreshes and can leave some trace, the infamous ghosting.
You have four modes: HD, Balanced, Fast, and Ultrafast . HD mode prioritizes text definition and minimizes ghosting; it's ideal for "pure" reading without scrolling, such as with novels or static documents. The downside: interacting with the screen in HD can become tedious; scrolling becomes very slow, and typing quickly is nearly impossible.
The Balanced and Fast modes reduce resolution and allow for slightly more ghosting, but they gain fluidity , making them useful when reading websites or documents with scrolling. Ultrafast goes a step further: it allows you to navigate interfaces and view animated content, but with a noticeable loss of detail and obvious ghosting. BOOX even suggests it for video; however, it's worth clarifying here, because watching videos in E Ink, while possible, is far from enjoyable.
One idea that works brilliantly is assigning modes to each application : for example, HD in Kindle or Moon+ for perfect text, Balanced or Fast in the browser, and Ultrafast in apps that require more responsiveness. Switching between modes is quick, and if you ever notice too much static, a tap on the side refresh button clears the screen instantly.
For reading, HD mode shines: the experience is as good as on a dedicated eReader , with crisp text, minimal ghosting, and maximum eye comfort. For writing in chats or notes, Balanced or Fast modes work best; trying to type in HD is frustrating. For web browsing, Fast is usually the sweet spot, and Ultrafast is only worthwhile if you don't mind visible degradation of the content.
Interestingly, the official product demos barely show any scrolling. This makes sense: scrolling is what most highlights the limitations of the E Ink . If your primary use case is reading books and articles without continuous scrolling, the Palma 2 is a perfect fit.
Lighting, camera and sound
The front lighting adjusts brightness and color temperature for reading at any time. You can let the device adjust brightness and warmth automatically or do it manually. A word of caution: automatic mode isn't always accurate. There are times when, even with sufficient ambient light, the brightness doesn't change or the color temperature doesn't respond; even shining a flashlight on the sensor might not work. The most practical solution is to adjust manually using the quick settings when needed.
In dark environments, the warm front light is a delight: it prevents glare and keeps reading comfortable. During the day, with good natural light, you can easily turn it off and benefit from the high contrast inherent in the E Ink.
A camera on an eReader? Yes: it works for scanning documents and extracting text . It's fine for OCR and digitization, and if you don't like the pre-installed app, the Play Store has plenty of alternatives. As a "souvenir" camera, it's several steps behind a mid-range phone, so use it as a backup: for something spontaneous (like a picture of the cat that appeared in front of you while you were reading), it's adequate, but not much more.
In terms of audio, the combination with YouTube Music and audiobook services makes perfect sense. Connect Bluetooth headphones or a speaker and forget about your phone: background music while you read , podcasts, study sessions with playlists… Since it's Android, you can use your usual app and keep your libraries synchronized.
By the way, BOOX has released its V4.0 firmware with new features and improvements . We won't go into a complete list, but the idea is to continue refining performance, refresh rates, and customization options, something that is especially appreciated on E Ink devices running Android.
Autonomy, load, price, and useful features
During normal reading, battery consumption is minimal. Throughout the week, the battery drains more from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and notifications than from page turning itself. A realistic pattern is to recharge it approximately once a week, depending on how much you use it for music or browsing.
To quantify the impact of brightness and refresh rate on battery life , we tested the same one-hour video by varying the brightness and refresh rate. Watching video on E Ink isn't ideal, but this test effectively measures the impact of brightness and refresh rate on battery life. The results were:
- 90% Brightness and UltrafastThe battery level dropped to 91%.
- 0% Brightness and UltrafastThe battery level dropped to 94%.
- 90% brightness and HDThe battery level dropped to 93%.
- 0% brightness and HDThe battery level dropped to 93%.
The conclusion is surprising: neither the front light nor the refresh rate drains the battery as much as you might think. Even so, we maintain that watching video on the Palma 2 isn't a good idea in terms of visual experience. For reading and audio, it's perfectly fine. Charging takes around an hour to reach 50% and almost three hours to fully charge.
Regarding the price, it's around €300 . At that price point, it's not a device for everyone. If you want to read large-format books and don't care about audio or web browsing, traditional eReaders offer excellent value for money. If you prefer something compact, check out comparisons of compact eReaders to see alternative options.
The philosophy is that of a "smarteReader" : a smart, small reader with the power of Android to go beyond the printed book without sacrificing the advantages of e-ink. In HD mode, the reading experience is excellent; using Chrome on this device is a whole different ballgame compared to the basic browsers integrated into some e-readers; being able to open YouTube Music and read simultaneously is a bonus. It does feel sluggish and a little clunky at times, yes; but it fulfills its main promise admirably.
If you take it with you outside the house, it works wonderfully. Think of summer afternoons by the pool , train journeys, or cafes with no cell service: you open your books or reading lists, put on some soft music, and forget about everything else. It's precisely in these scenarios that it truly shines.
To provide context for the launch, BOOX also unveiled other devices alongside this model, such as the Note Air4 C and the 13,3″ Note Max with 300 ppi (the latter announced as “coming soon”). Simultaneously, the aforementioned BOOX V4.0 firmware was released, bringing new features and improvements. All of this reinforces the concept of an ecosystem in which the Palma 2 (Pro) is the most versatile “pocket-sized” device .
If you need official documentation, a BOOX Palma manual is available online. It's categorized under e-readers and initially received an average rating of 7,2 out of 10 from one user. The manual is available in English; if you're stuck on any option, it's a good starting point for resolving any questions, and you can also ask questions on their support page if needed. If you're concerned about repairs, consult our repairability guide.
Keep in mind that prices may vary and that some websites use affiliate links that generate commissions. Additionally, some media outlets have tested units provided by the brand; this is common practice in the industry and is usually accompanied by transparent editorial policies regarding how reviews are conducted.
Media coverage described the Palma 2 as an e-reader designed for distraction-free living , a middle ground between technology and everyday life. This vision aligns with the real-world experience: when you want to disconnect from your phone but remain connected to what matters, this format makes perfect sense.
Looking at it in perspective, the BOOX Palma 2 (Pro) is a very capable pocket e-reader that excels in reading and versatility . It puts your key apps at your fingertips and allows you to create a bubble of concentration away from your phone. It does have its drawbacks: the fluidity doesn't quite match that of a smartphone, the fingerprint reader can be frustrating, and the automatic brightness needs some fine-tuning. But if you value the visual comfort of the E Ink display, the compact size, and the added benefit of Android, it's a proposition that's more appealing than it seems on paper.
