Boox Palma Review: The Kindle Pocket Amazon Should have Made

This Boox Palma review explains why this small, smartphone-sized Ebook Reader is perfect for travel, is palm and pocket-friendly, and has a seriously easy-to-read screen. Amazon seriously missed a trick here – the Kindle Pocket that never was – install the Kindle app and you're off.

Helped along by crisp visuals at over 300 dots per inch, as well as a warm or cool backlight and auto brightness and temperature features. A small Kindle alternative, it's great in bed (not like that), thanks to the fact it's super-comfortable to hold one-handed, and it's even good for kids.

Not quite perfect, the Boox Palma runs Android 11, which is an outdated version of Google's operating system. So, while it's great that it supports third-party apps, its security credentials could be better. If you're happy with that, though, and want an ePaper or E Ink E-Reader that fits in your pocket, the Boox Palma could be the best option around.

00:00 Intro
02:20 Design
03:39 Display 01
05:00 Performance
05:20 Software & security
06:30 Reading on the Boox Palma
07:35 Use cases
09:00 Camera
09:35 Display 02
10:40 Verdict

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Would you swap out your Kindle for a Boox Palma, or are you happy with your smartphone for reading on the go? Let me know and ask any questions – I'll do my best to answer! Basil

[hdtravel]

Hopefully the next version will have a SIM card slot or allow eSIMs - this would be an awesome minimalist smartphone

[ricardomejias]

part of me wishes this was just strictly an ereader without all the apps/internet browsing extras, makes me feel like im paying for more than what Id use it for (just reading books)

[nukesean]

I can’t wait for Amazon to rip this off and make their own palm-sized Kindle!

[cgillit]

When it came time to upgrade my phone I got a 256 GB instead of a 512 GB, used the saved $$$ to put towards a Palma. Siideloaded tons of audiobooks and epubs on the Palma SD card slot. I find myself reaching for my Palma whenever there is downtime more than my phone. The only downside is now it's one more item I don't leave the house without. I going to have to just carry a slingpack to hold my phone, Palma, earbuds, keys and wallet to keep them all organized and together.

[davefink]

I can imagine no better gadget for long, sunny afternoons lingering at the outdoor cafe or town square! Sunlight wrecks the otherwise delightful pastime of news or book reading in those casual, social places. This Boox Palma, plus ubiquitous WiFi, should make a fantastic match.

[JalenGabrielle]

I have a Kindle Oasis that I love but I'm so looking forward to getting the Onyx Boox Palma. I have small hands so the size is perfect and it still has page turning buttons. I also normally use small purses so I never take my Kindle outside of my house on a daily basis. So I'm so excited to be able to take an ereader on the go. I hate reading on my cell phone!

[mickd]

Just what I was looking for. Fast, pocket sized ebook with Playstore.

[salman_]

i wish they took out some features to make it cheaper because i dont see myself using this for its camera

[exxodas]

They should’ve put a cell modem in there. It would be a hit with the minimalist niche.

[ArAliasarAr]

For security just create a google account only for this device. Dont use mails, banks etc.on this. It's very good to read books, news, do some web browsing, podcast is OK. But dont use it for personal stuff and it will be fine.

[vincewhite]

If it was cheaper I would have one in a heart beat. A couple years ago, I bought a cheap droid, but put no sim in it but 1T micro mem. I put on kindle, kobo, epub, podcasts, audiobooks, and use it as gps, and turn on grey scale ready for ereading and extend battery life. Can hotspot with my iPhone when needed. And has camera, and is smaller then Kindle basic.

[clarinha]

Alright Im sold. Buying one. I have a terrible problem with blue light screen so this looks like solving all my problems

[BryanStupar]

Thanks for the video. Can this device do text-to-speech in the kindle or reader app?

[pspgovsliszt]

Is it scratch resistant? Have you got any scratches on it?

[PeterScargill]

Can I run Home Assistant on it - ie does it run javascript? If not, thats a deal breaker? for 4G my phone can sit in my pocket while I'm at the beach or pool - hence the need for paper white..

[angelaharvey]

Does this device support immersion reading in the kindle app?

[powderhounding]

Is that little vertical floating menu on the right side always visible while reading?

[achimwasp]

As I found my Kindle Paperwhite too small, I went for the Boox Note Air 3. For reading it's much better than the Kindle and for writing much better than my iPad Pro (I can't really get used to writing on a slippery glass surface). The Palma would be too small for my old eyes.

[rubysparks]

I use an Ipad mini to read my books and it makes my purse heavy whenever I want to take it with me, so i wanted to get something a little smaller that wasn't a Kindle. I have ordered one and I really hope it's worth the price!

I liked your review, but honestly I don't care about most of the apps you discussed. I mostly care about Goodreads, Libby and Kindle. I don't need anything else as that's the point of having a cell phone.