Boox just announced three new e-ink devices on Android 16; the largest tablet is available now, but you’ll have to wait a little longer for the updated Palma 3.
E-ink devices have taken off in the last couple of years for a couple of reasons. The main reasoning that comes to mind is the natural disconnect that comes from using an e-ink device instead of a traditional modern OLED smartphone or tablet. Another likely has something to do with the universal appeal of an e-reader or note-taking device that lets you access apps from the Google Play Store.
Boox announced three new additions to its lineup of Android e-ink devices:
- Boox Note Air6 C
- Boox Note Mini C
- Boox Palma 3
All three will run Android 16 out of the box, which is notable because the latest public version of Android is only one generation ahead of that. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if these devices were still a generation or two behind that. Two could be considered tablets, while the Palma is a generational upgrade to the company’s beloved compact e-reader that looks like an Android phone, at first glance.
The Note Air6 C is the only model Boox says is available starting today. It’s the workhorse of the three, with a new internal processor and a reasonable 3,700mAh battery. The new processor boosts the Note Air6 C’s performance with features like Dual Notes that let you annotate two documents in split-screen mode.
Boox mentions the large Android tablet also has new AI features for transcripts and document scanning. But the real improvement might just be an upgraded refresh rate that increases performance by up to 40%. Refresh rates have always been a sore point for e-ink tablets, but it’s always come with the territory for a paper-like display.
The 10.3-inch tablet has a color display that works with the included Pen3 stylus. It also wouldn’t be a Boox tablet without a front-light with temperature controls for any-time viewing.
The Note Mini C isn’t available to order just yet. It’s an 8.52-inch Android e-ink tablet aimed at users who need a little more portability from Boox devices. Similar to the Note Air6 C, it has a Kaleido 3 color e-ink display with a front light, as well as an octa-core processor. It has a little less battery power at 3,150mAh. On an e-ink tablet, that still goes a long way.
We’re also getting an upgraded model in the Palma series with the Palma 3. The form factor has grown more popular since Boox began teasing the Picco. The Palma 3 is slightly bigger and has a 6.13-inch display.
This version has a “refined anodized aluminum frame” instead of the plastic exterior seen on the previous models. The rear panel is made from fiberglass that has a “paper-textured” feel. Under that panel sits a 3,950mAh battery, which hasn’t changed from even the original Palma.
Boox hasn’t announced a release date for the Note Mini C or the Palma 3, but the Note Air6 C is available now. The Note Air6 C starts at $579. Boox’s Note Mini C is priced at $579, too, and the Palma 3 will be $339 at launch.
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