Today Onyx unveiled three new upgraded Boox models, the 13.3-inch Max Lumi2, and 10.3-inch Note5 and Note Air2 models, all with Android 11 and some new software features.
The new models come with some minor hardware upgrades, including more RAM and storage space, and now they’re using a faster and more efficient processor. They also have a couple of new and improved stylus pens to go along with the new models.
The Note Air2 now has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space (up from 3GB and 32GB on the first gen model). They also improved the magnet that holds the stylus along the side and the device now comes with a new type of pre-installed writing film to help improve the feel of the screen, like the Nova Air that was released a couple months ago. Otherwise it seems to be mostly the same as before.
The Max Lumi2 got a boost in RAM in storage as well, now with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space.
It doesn’t look like much has changed with the Note5, other than they changed the color and added a magnet to the sides to hold the stylus and to use a magnetic case.
Onyx still doesn’t have the full specs listed yet so we’ll know more once the product pages go up.
The bigger story this year seems to be a new 3.2 software update that adds a number of new features, including improved support for 3rd-party note apps like OneNote and Evernote.
Onyx’s previous generation models are expected to receive the 3.2 update in November. They usually add most of the new software features, but they rarely update Android versions so don’t expect any of the older models to get Android 11.
If the hardware upgrades don’t appeal to you now is a good time to get a previous generation model at a discount. The Note Air is marked down to $419, the Max Lumi is $819, and the Note3 is $499 on Onyx’s Amazon store.
The new models will be available to pre-order from Onyx’s website starting October 27th.
I’ve noticed the Note X and the Leaf. What abou they?
If/when Onyx decides to release them then we’ll know more. Sometimes they release models specifically for certain regions, like Russian and China, so I wouldn’t worry about it. I think the bigger question is what happened to the Note4? 😀
Hey All,
I might have an asnwer to why there’s no Note 4: I’ve read that the number “4” in Chinese is bad luck. And since Onyx Boox is based out of China, I’m thinking the company doesn’t want any misfortune brought to them. I’m only guessing here.
They said the Leaf would be released by November on social.
Note X and Note 5+ they’ve also clarified are Chinese market only on social media comments.
Boa tarde, você saberia me dizer se a não atualização do android dos E-readers da onyx deixa os aparelhos inutilizaveis com o passar dos anos sem atualização?
The differences between Android versions is virtually indistinguishable since they all use Onyx’s heavily customized interface anyway. It’s more about marketing than anything useful. The only real problem you’ll encounter is if a 3rd-party app you use doesn’t support the older version, and that’s rarely an issue.
Just an FYI. I don’t see the Note3 listed anywhere on Amazon. Perhaps they already ran out of stock?
Yeah, stock was low but they’ll probably add more soon. They can also be ordered from Onyx’s website.
I like the incremental upgrades. Support improvements for Evernote and One Note are good-Most important to me is the storage upgrade-although removable storage would be best. I’m guessing that next year will bring 300 dpi 10″ devices. Sooner or later I am going to get one-
This year Kobo got me to pull the trigger on the Sage-waiting on delivery…
This announcement gets me to hold off on the Kobo Sage, at least for now. I’ll be interested to see what “improved support” for OneNote and Evernote really means in practice after the devices are released. If both apps work better than they did when I owned an Onyx device a few years ago I think I’d get the Air2 over the Sage.
I hope Boyue will come up with another 10.3″ device similar to Alita (Mobius screen) but more powerful and Android 10 or 11.
I liked how Boyue use to provide some healthy competition for Onyx, but lately it seems like they aren’t doing much, and now Onyx’s prices keep going up with every new release.
“It doesn’t look like much has changed with the Note5, other than they changed the color and added a magnet to the sides to hold the stylus and to use a magnetic case.”
This is so very Onyx I had to laugh.
> Nothing has changed withe the Note
Does that mean it’s still lighter than the Air and has a Moebius screen instead of the glass substrate screen?
Yeah, the screens are the same as before. The only difference I see listed on the spec sheet is the Note5 has a 3000mAh battery and the Note3 had a 4300mAh battery. But the Note5 weighs 7 grams more so that doesn’t really make sense. Maybe it’s a typo, or maybe the magnets and new casing add more weight so they had to make the battery smaller to keep the weight down.
Quick question: I played today with a Note Air at the store. I opened a free epub (one of the classics like Alice) and could not figure how to make fonts larger.
Am I missing anything? I recall seeing that in your review Nathan.
It’s in the format section of the menu. The real question is what store has a Note Air available to test?
I live far away from the USA and we have no Amazon…. The largest local e-shop has some on display and I could use one. Funnily I could not find that option in the format menu.
That’s pretty cool, though. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the US like that that carries ereaders in stores, except Kindles (and of course Nooks but nobody seems to care about them anymore). There certainly isn’t anywhere to see Boox ereaders in person.