The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is the phone-sized color ereader I never knew I wanted, but it won't suit everyone

06 May 2026, 06:07 by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/lindsay-handmer · TechRadar

TechRadar Verdict

The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is a more capable and versatile take on one of the most interesting ereaders around. Its phone-like form factor is still the main appeal, but the move to a color E Ink screen, Android 15, extra RAM, stylus support and mobile data makes it feel much more versatile than the monochrome Palma 2. It’s not a clear upgrade for everyone, though, as plain text looks a little grainier, the price is even higher and the stylus and flip case cost extra. Still, if you want a pocketable Android ereader that can handle books, apps, light web use, color documents and occasional notes, the Palma 2 Pro is easy to like.

Pros

+Pocket-friendly color E Ink design
+More versatile than the Palma 2
+Excellent case accessory

Cons

-Expensive for an ereader
-Text isn’t as crisp as on the Palma 2
-Stylus sold separately

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Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro: Two-minute review

The Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro is the kind of interesting ereader innovation I want to see more of, even if the biggest appeal is still just how unusual it is. My ereader expert colleague reviewed the original Palma and the newer Palma 2, but I have been able to use both of these devices as my main ereader, to ensure a good basis for comparison.

The Palma 2 Pro takes the same pocket-friendly, phone-like form of the Palma 2 and adds a color E Ink display, more memory, Android 15, SIM support and stylus compatibility. The Palma is already somewhat of a niche ereader (and a niche we are big fans of), so these new features are quite ambitious.

The 6.13-inch, 2:1 screen is still the main reason to consider the Palma. It looks and feels more like a smartphone than a typical ereader, and comes complete with a speaker, dual microphones, side buttons, a rear camera and now a hybrid SIM tray. But rather than an LCD or OLED display, it uses an e-paper display that means it’s a much nicer experience for long reading sessions.

In other words — if you already consume books, articles or newsletters on your phone and want something easier on the eyes, the Palma 2 Pro has a lot of appeal.

Another new advantage is stylus support — like some of the larger models, the Palma 2 Pro works with a compatible stylus and enables note-taking directly on the device. Another great little extra is a combined SIM/SD card slot, which means you can upgrade the storage or add in a data SIM and access books (and the internet) when on the go.

The flip case can be folded back, making the Palma 2 Pro easy to use without removing it. (Image credit: Future)

Physically, the Pro is very similar to the Palma 2, though there are a few useful changes that show how the design has progressed more than just changing to a color display. The power button (that also houses the fingerprint reader) is still on the right edge but the volume/page-turn buttons now sit on the left with the smart button — a layout that feels a lot more intuitive.

The SIM/SD card tray is on the bottom and the body is a little thicker. At 172g bare on my scales (Boox lists it as approximately 175g), it’s still easy to carry around, and even with the soft case from my review package fitted, it remained pocket-friendly enough for daily use, plus there’s an excellent magnetic flip cover.

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