The Onyx Boox Palma is a $279 e-reader that’s designed like a smartphone. It’s $30 off for a limited time.
It runs on a stripped-down version of Android 11, allowing users to download any app or game from the Google Play Store.
Lack of cellular connectivity and water and dust resistance are notable drawbacks but ones most people can shoulder.
When I first discovered the Onyx Boox Palma<!–>, I was equal parts puzzled and fascinated. Sure, Kindles, Nooks, and other devices replacing books were taking off, but did anyone really need one that’s sized and shaped like a phone?
Had the Boox Palma not been able to download just about any app on the Play Store – thanks to it being a part of a growing breed of Android-powered e-readers – I probably wouldn’t have bit. But after using it over the past year, especially during long work trips and the weekly commute, I’m so glad I did.
To be clear, the Boox Palma runs on an outdated, stripped-down version of Android 11, and I don’t expect the maker to upgrade to the less outdated Android 12 anytime soon. I’m sort of okay with that, as the device doesn’t need the fanciest animations, camera features, and theming capabilities to serve its purpose.
The two main benefits of running Android on such a device are access to the Play Store, meaning you can download more than one e-reader app (as well as TikTok, Instagram, Disney+, etc., if you’re feeling unhinged), and deep customization. Those are two aspects you simply won’t find on a mainstream e-reader like a Kindle or Kobo, and they really spoil you.