About a week ago Onyx released a new hybrid device called the Boox Palma, but it was an “Early Adopter Edition” that was only available for a few hours before it sold out so I didn’t post an article about it.
Onyx is apparently trying to determine if there’s a market for smaller phone-sized reading devices. The Palma looks more like a phone than an ereader, but it’s kind of an odd device because it doesn’t actually have a SIM card slot so it can’t be used as a phone.
Instead of going the E Ink phone route, as Onyx once planned to do, it looks like they’re playing the “no distractions” card instead. A properly working E Ink phone would probably have a wider appeal, but maybe they’re saving that for later.
Either way, the Palma has a 6.13″ E Ink screen with 300 ppi, but the screen ratio is more like a phone than an ereader so it’s over an inch narrower than a typical 6″ Kindle (the Palma measures 6.3″ x 3.1″ x 0.31″ and the 2022 Kindle is 6.2″ x 4.3″ x 0.32″).
The device has a decent list of specs as well, and it even has a rear camera and LED flash like a real phone, but since it was just a prototype that’s no longer for sale there’s really no use getting too deep into that.
It’ll be interesting to see where Onyx goes with these phone-sized E Ink devices moving forward. I’m not sure how many people are going to want to carry around another device that looks like a phone but isn’t. And E Ink phones have struggled to gain much traction in the market, as there are a number of limitations with E Ink screens, like not being able to play videos very smoothly.
I’d really like to see some smaller ereaders coming back on the market again. Ten years ago devices like the Kobo Mini and Sony PRS-350 were great pocketable options, but these days everything is trending larger.
What about you? Would you have any interest in a phone-sized ereader like the Palma?
Nope. Sage is my on-the-go ereader. Elipsa stays home.
Definitely, but it needs to have SIM card. I’d ditch my iPhone for that as I’m continuosly trying to limit my phone screen time (I cancelled all social media platforms, Netflix, blocked all apps most of the day etc), this would definitely help. Hopefuly this was just a first try.
Exactly. If a good quality phone with eink screen(s) were released, I’d buy it. Would need to support cellular (needs to support sim cards or esims).
Cell search and connect consumes 60-70% of the battery capacity – this makes little sense for a reader
I would much prefer the shape and size of the Kobo Mini to that of a cellphone. The Mini was just the right size to be dropped into a t-shirt pocket without sticking out very much. We just need an updated version.
That would be nice! And syncing between the Kobo devices.
I could not agree more!
No, I don’t like the screen size of such an on-the-go ereader.
The width and depth are not in the right ratio, which is not very handy.
I do have the Hisense 5 and yes, it’s great for portability, I don’t regret getting it, but I would have preferred an updated Kobo Mini speaking from the point of view of dimensions of the screen. A phone screen is great for portability, but to my mind it’s not “book like”, so for something that it’s not a phone as the Palma, I think they would have gone better with a Kobo Mini or Sony PRS-350 form.
On the other hand, modern bags have pockets thought for phones, so something like a phone is easier to accommodate in a bag, and Android apps are thought mainly for phones, so some of them don’t adapt so well to other types of screen, so there’s that.
This exactly!
I would definitely like something like this. I’m missing the portables of yore..
I’d prefer something the size and proportions to the Kobo Mini.
I still use my Kindle Oasis 8th generation when I want real portability’.
I’ll buy it as soon as its available. I have a Moan Inkpalm 5 which is nice but a touch too small given the narrower screen and has absolutely awful software.
really looking forward to something slightly larger but still super compact and easy to travel with.
Thanks for your review. I suspected as much. I added it to my cart and chickened out. Can’t trust the reviews on that OTHER ereader site.
Yes, an eReader that fits in my pocket is probably the only way I’ll ever put up with amusement park rides again.
I think this could be neat. Realistically, it probably makes more sense for me to continue to read on my phone on the go, and then go back to my 6″ reader (I’m not in a market for a bigger screen because of various personal preferences and physical hardships). It might be cool to turn my phone completely off or leave it at home, though, and go somewhere with an ultra-portable reader without the distractions. I also read on my phone while working out, since my 6″ reader is just slightly bigger than said physical hardships can handle for an entire workout. This could be a great workout reader for me. I understand that’s a very specific use case, so I’m not certain my interest means there’s a market for it, but I still think it’s a cool idea.
What ever happened to that Amazon e-ink phone?? That was weird. I wonder if old overstock e-ink phones are available somewhere to be repurposed as readers.
It looks like I’m not the only one who misses the Kobo Mini. I’d really rather have another iteration of that than reading on the phone, even if it’s an eInk phone-sized object.
No, you have company. I wish Kobo would bring back an updated Mini. It wouldn’t even need to be lighted – just higher quality screen.
I would but it’d have to be under $150. Plus, who the heck want a camera on it… WHY?!?
I just happened to get one of the cheaper Chinese inkPalm and it’s not bad, I have the reader set to rotated so it’s landscape and it’s pretty handy so far though not sure $250 worth
I really don’t see the point. It’s not in color and my phone can do as much, if not more, than what I see in the photo. I prefer my PW2 and if I want to read on my phone, there are tons of perfectly good apps to do so.
I agree. I can use my phone for short-term reading, and have the pick of any number of apps to vary the experience. Anything more “serious” and longer-term, I would go to my Kindle Oasis.
My Hisense A5 Pro C is my main reading device for casual reading of epubs. Love the size and weight. Very easy to carry along and excellent battery life. I now only use my Boox devices for PDFs or when I want to make notes. Would love to have a Boox device of a similar size to my Hisense device. Hard to beat that size for portability and ease of reading when commuting.
No. Kindle Oasis 7″ can fit in back pocket. If needed Onyx Nova Air as well. Of course, if your eyes can handle phone reading I guess this could be OK.
I prefer a box-like screen for reading. I currently use a Sony PRS-300 and after reading this article, I downloaded calibre so I could alter the font for epubs on this Sony. It’s a great device for people who want 5-inch screen and just basic functions only.
NO!
Why would I want an e-paper phone? It sounds like, due to the narrowness, it would be like watching a tennis match.
I’ll stick to my Android phone and a 6″ Kindle.
If it were a Kobo, I might be tempted. But I’ve used the Kobo app on the Boox Note and it’s far from a pleasant experience (compared to a real Kobo). My GloHD fits in most of my pockets, so a smaller ereader has limited appeal.
I find that a phone is a bit too small for comfortable reading over any period of time. I’d like something with a format similar to the Microsoft Surface Duo where I could unfold the screen to give me a bit more space. Anyone know if there are durable and flexible ePaper screens?
Yeah, flexible and foldable E Ink screens have been a thing for awhile now, but ereader companies just aren’t using them. The older 10″ eNotes had flexible E Ink screens that were more durable but pretty much all have regular glass-backed screens now because they’re cheaper. For some reason ereader companies are somehow magically absolved from covering cracked E Ink screens with warranties so there’s no incentive for them to make devices with more durable screens.
I also would want this to be a phone too, not just an ereader.
I use my InkPalm as my everyday eReader, it is great.
I use my iPhone for phone-sized reading, but mostly I read on my Kindle Paperwhite, or Kindle on iPad mini 6. I might go for a pocket sized reader for reading in bed. Depends on size, cost, capabilities.