Palma 2 Review – Can a Pocket Device Really Replace an E‑Reader?

Remember Apple’s old slogan – “1000 songs in your pocket”?
The Boox Palma 2 is the e-reader version of that idea.

Except here, you’re looking at more than 21,000 books in something that slips easily into your pocket.It’s small, shaped like a smartphone, and built to give you a distraction‑free reading experience anywhere.

In the growing world of E‑Ink devices, these smaller, phone‑sized readers are starting to carve out their own niche. And the Palma 2 is one of the most interesting I’ve tried. But does it really strike that sweet spot between a traditional e‑reader and a small Android tablet?

🔷 Quick Verdict

The Palma 2 is a true pocket‑sized 6.1‑inch e‑reader running Android 13. That means you can install Kindle, Kobo, Notion, Duolingo, Google Docs, or just about any other Android app you like. It even has speakers, a microphone, a flashlight, and volume buttons that can double as page‑turn controls. In many ways, it feels like a phone – just without the SIM card.

The screen is sharp and high‑contrast, making it a joy to read whether you’re indoors or out in the sun. At night, the dual‑tone front light lets you choose between a warm, paper‑like glow or a cooler daylight tone.

There is some ghosting in the faster refresh modes (Fast and Ultra Fast), but switching to HD mode makes it barely noticeable. And because it’s Android‑powered, the Palma is far more flexible than a standard Kindle or Kobo.

Not everything is perfect – some apps aren’t fully optimised for E‑Ink, so buttons or pop‑ups can sometimes be faint. The plastic build feels solid, but not premium. And while it does have a 16‑megapixel camera, it’s best suited for scanning documents or QR codes rather than photography.

⭐️ Who It’s For – and Who It’s Not For

This device is for e‑ink fans who want:

• A genuinely pocket‑sized reader

• The flexibility of Android apps

• A minimalist, distraction‑free reading device

It’s not for you if:

• You want to write or draw (no stylus support here

No stylus support on Palma 2

• You’re looking for the cheapest e‑reader – there are more affordable options that do reading just as well

⭐️ Price and Value

At around $270 USD / €270 EUR, the Palma 2 sits in the premium category. For comparison, the 7‑inch Boox Go Color Gen 2 is only about $10 more, and a Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Libra Colour can be had for around half the price.

That means you’re paying for form factor and versatility rather than top‑tier performance or the longest battery life. Speaking of which – the battery is decent, roughly similar to other 7‑inch Boox devices, but not a “one‑charge‑per‑month” experience like some Kindles.

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🔷 Design & Build Quality

The Boox Palma 2 looks and feels a lot like a smartphone – which is exactly why it’s so easy to slip into your pocket and take anywhere.

That said, the slightly larger bezels give it more of a mid‑range device vibe rather than the edge‑to‑edge look of high‑end phones. Still, it’s a clean, functional design that works well for its purpose.

At just 170 grams, the Palma is extremely lightweight thanks to its mostly plastic build. Personally, I don’t miss the feel of metal at this size – the lightness is a win for portability – but some users might prefer a more premium hand‑feel.

⭐️ Thoughtful Controls

One thing I really appreciate is how customizable the Palma’s physical buttons are:

• Power Button with Fingerprint Scanner – Lets you unlock the device quickly and securely. It worked for me around 90% of the time.

• Volume Buttons as Page‑Turn Keys – Short presses turn pages, and you can assign long presses to functions like taking a screenshot or opening a favourite app.

• Smart Button – Fully programmable for single, double, and long presses.

  • Mine is set to:

    • Single press → Quick screen refresh

    • Double press → AI assistant

    • Long press → Open Kindle app

This kind of custom control makes the Palma 2 feel far more adaptable than a typical e‑reader.

⭐️ Accessories

The Palma 2 comes with a basic plastic protective case in the box. It does the job, but it adds a little bulk.

If you want something more practical, Boox also offers an optional flip‑fold case. This one not only protects the device but also doubles as a stand, making it perfect for hands‑free reading.

🔷 Display

The Boox Palma 2 features a 6.13‑inch E Ink Carta 1200 glass screen with a 300 PPI resolution. In practical terms, that means text and images are razor‑sharp – crisp, clear, and easy on the eyes whether you’re indoors or under bright sunlight.

⭐️ Comfortable Reading in Any Light

For low‑light reading, the Palma 2 includes a dual‑tone front light. You can easily adjust the warmth or coolness to suit your preference, making bedtime reading much easier on the eyes.

I found its lighting to be warmer and more balanced than on devices like the Bigme HiBreak Pro. The difference is especially noticeable during evening reading sessions.

An ambient light sensor is also built in, so brightness can automatically adapt to your surroundings – a small but thoughtful touch.

⭐️ Super Boox Refresh (SBR) Modes

One of the standout Boox features is SBR technology, offering five different refresh modes:

1. HD – Maximum clarity, ideal for reading.

2. Balanced – Good compromise between speed and sharpness.

3. Fast – Quicker scrolling with mild ghosting.

4. Ultra Fast – Best for quick movements, heavier ghosting.

5. Regal – Reduces ghosting for static images.

This flexibility means you can fine‑tune the display depending on your activity – whether it’s reading a book, scrolling web pages, or even watching a quick video in a pinch.

⭐️ Ghosting Performance

Ghosting – the faint leftover traces from a previous image – is visible, especially in faster refresh modes or with darker images and complex diagrams.

For everyday reading, though, ghosting is minimal and didn’t distract me. I noticed it, sure, but it never got in the way of enjoying an article or a book.

🔷 Reading Experience

So, how does the Boox Palma 2 actually feel when you sit down and read with it?
In short – really good.

The 6.13‑inch E Ink display with 300 PPI delivers sharp, easy‑to‑read text that’s gentle on the eyes. And because Boox gives you a lot of control over how content appears, you can fine‑tune the reading experience to your liking.

NeoReader – The Default App That Delivers

The Palma 2’s built‑in NeoReader app is a standout feature. It works beautifully with supported formats like EPUB and MOBI, letting you customise almost every aspect of your reading:

• Font style, size, and spacing

• Margins and line height

• Text contrast and enhancement

• Highlighting and annotation tools

• In‑book dictionary, translation, and search

• AI look‑up for selected text

With compatible file types, the reading experience feels premium – responsive, crisp, and adaptable to your preferences.

Handling PDFs & Comics

Here’s where the smaller screen can be a limitation. PDFs and comic formats like CBZ don’t always fit comfortably on this form factor. But there are two tricks that make them much easier to read:

1. Scrolling View + Fit to Screen – Makes navigation smoother and more natural.

1. Landscape Mode – Gives you a wider, more readable view.

It’s not perfect, but it’s a big improvement over trying to read these formats in the default portrait view.

Flexibility Through Android

One of Palma 2’s biggest strengths is that it runs Android 13. That means you’re not stuck with one reading app – you can install Kindle, Kobo, Moon+ Reader, Pocket, or whatever else you like.

In my testing, these apps ran smoothly and reliably. The Boox launcher itself is stable, and software updates have kept things running without crashes or performance hiccups.

Portable Reading Anywhere

At just 170 grams and pocket‑friendly in size, the Palma 2 is ideal for reading on the go. Whether it’s a commute, a coffee shop, or a few stolen minutes in the park, it’s light enough to carry everywhere – and that portability is one of its greatest strengths.

🔷 Boox Palma 2 vs Bigme HiBreak Pro

At first glance, the Boox Palma 2 and Bigme HiBreak Pro seem almost like twins. Both are small, pocket‑sized E‑Ink devices running Android, with access to the Play Store, dual front lights, speakers, and a display sharp enough to make reading a pleasure. You could easily mistake one for the other if they were sitting side by side.

But while they share a lot on the surface, they are designed for very different kinds of users.

The Bigme HiBreak Pro is essentially a full‑blown 5G smartphone with dual SIM support. You can make calls, send texts, and use it much like a regular phone – except with an E‑Ink display.

It also has faster performance, more RAM, and more storage space, plus both front and rear cameras.

The Boox Palma 2, on the other hand, is Wi‑Fi only and clearly focused on being a connected reader rather than a smartphone replacement. It has just a single rear camera, and while that’s fine for scanning documents or QR codes, neither device really excels at photography.

Price is another big difference. The Bigme HiBreak Pro typically sells for over $450, while the Palma 2 comes in at around $270 – often less when it’s on sale.

So in the end, the Bigme feels like a phone that happens to use E‑Ink, while the Palma 2 is a dedicated e‑reader with a few smart extras. If you want an E‑Ink phone that could replace your regular smartphone in some scenarios, the Bigme is the way to go. But if you’re mainly after a lightweight, pocket‑friendly reader that can also run a few Android apps, the Palma 2 will give you a very similar reading experience for a much lower price.

🔷 Pricing

The Boox Palma 2 currently sells for around $270 in the US and €270 in Europe, both through the official Boox store and Amazon. That puts it firmly in the premium price range for a device of this size.

When I compare it to other Boox devices, the value question becomes harder to answer. Take the recently released Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2, for example. It has a larger 7‑inch colour E‑Ink screen and costs only about $10 more.

Even the black‑and‑white version of that same model comes in at around $250 – about $20 less than the Palma 2. And both of those devices are still lightweight and very portable.

This makes the Palma 2’s pricing tricky to justify unless you’re specifically after its slim, ultra‑pocketable form factor. If portability is your top priority, then the premium might make sense. But if you’re open to something slightly larger, you can get more screen real estate and versatility for nearly the same price – or even less.

That said, the Palma 2 is still a compelling option if you want something more capable than a basic Kindle or Kobo. Personally, though, I’d love to see its price come down a little. At its current cost, it feels a touch high for what it offers.

🔷 Who Is This Device For?

The Boox Palma 2 is ideal for anyone who wants a highly portable, dedicated e‑reader – something small enough to slip into a pocket yet smart enough to run Android apps. It delivers that quiet, focused reading experience without the constant pings and distractions of a full‑blown smartphone.

It’s also a great choice as a secondary smart device. If you want something for reading books, listening to podcasts, or doing a bit of light productivity, the Palma 2 fits the bill. You still get Android flexibility and Boox’s customisation options, but without the always‑connected, notification‑heavy environment of your phone.

However, if you suspect the 6‑inch screen might feel cramped for your needs, it’s worth looking at slightly larger options. The Boox Go Color 7 Gen 2 – or even its black‑and‑white version – offers more screen space, runs the same software, and keeps much of the portability.

🛒 Thinking of getting BOOX PALMA 2?

► AMAZON US 🇺🇸: https://amzn.to/3IV29w7

► BOOX STORE US 🇺🇸: https://shop.boox.com/collections/all/products/palma2?ref=howtodostuff

► AMAZON UK 🇬🇧: https://amzn.to/476R30W

► BOOX STORE EU 🇪🇺: https://euroshop.boox.com/products/palma2?ref=fjeswspv&variant=51671609409899