Onyx announced four new Boox models earlier this week, but only one of them is actually available to purchase, the Note Air6 C. It’s in stock from Onyx’s Amazon store, and with Prime you can get it delivered tomorrow (now that’s how they should release new products, instead of announcing them and not even giving release dates like they did with the other three new models).
The Note Air6 C is another typical Onyx upgrade. It’s almost exactly the same as the Note Air5 C, which was almost exactly the same as the Note Air4 C, but that’s better than abandoning them like they did with their Nova and Tab lines.
As far as I can tell, there only appears to be two changes with the Note Air6 C. It runs Android 16 instead of 15, and it has a newer processor. Early reports suggest the chip upgrade is actually pretty significant this time, which is a plus. Usually there’s little to no noticeable improvement when they “upgrade” processors.
The main downside with the upgrade is the Note Air6 C is $50 more expensive now at $579. I remember when the Note Air was only $479 and the 4C was $499. Those days are long gone.
The Note Air6 C is still using a 10.3″ Kaleido 3 screen with 300 ppi for black and white and 150 ppi for color, the same as previous generations.
One key detail worth noting, the Note Air6 C is still using an EMR touchscreen (Wacom) for stylus input instead of the USI system that Onyx has started using on their other eNotes. I guess that’s one of the benefits of reusing the same design for the 3rd time.
Onyx is also releasing a new mini eNote with a 8.52″ color E Ink screen called the Note Mini C. It’s mostly the same as the Note Air6 C, just smaller, expect it doesn’t have an EMR touchscreen (it uses an “InkSight Active Stylus”) and it has a smaller battery. The weird thing is it appears to be the same price as the Note Air6 C. It’s not available to order yet, though, and Onyx hasn’t given a release date, but it’ll probably start shipping soon.
That 8.52 size is an ideal reader size for me! IF Kobo brings forth a reader in that size, it’s an I gotta buy, Strange buying proposition from Boox though…about the same price with a downgrade in the stylus and battery. I would probably get the 10.3″.
Contrast is reported to be higher. Darker blacks.
If Kobo doesn’t announce a new device by year’s end I will probably qo with the 10.3″ Boox for my first unit.
Honestly, it looks like Kobo is out of the eNote game. It’s been over three years with nothing new and they rarely ever update the notetaking software on their existing models. The Elipsa probably didn’t sell well enough to continue making them.
Agreed, 10 or 10.3 have to be risky. Low unit volume. For enthusiasts mainly.
I don’t think they are necessarily out of the game…they also have done nothing with a Sage update. They seem to be depending on the Libra(black and white?? MIA) along with 6 inch devices for now.
My guess, they will put something out to stay relevant. Not just a hope…
Still a chance
About 20 years ago I started with a 6 inch reader. But 10 years ago I bought a Boox Neo 10 inch.
I was surprised how much fun it was to have a page that looked like a real book. When I choose a big font I still have a lot of lines on my screen. On my 6 inch I had much less lines so I had to turn the page much more. It did not read easy. So i stick with my 10 inch. But hope in the future a 300 ppi for color screens and then I can read my comics on a 13 inch reader.