First look: Boox is bringing a more current version of Android and new handwriting support to its compact E Ink lineup with the Palma 3, a phone-sized reader designed for books, articles, and lightweight app use. The device retains the monochrome display and pocketable design of its predecessors while adding a redesigned enclosure and optional stylus support.
Expected to be available soon for $339.99, the Palma 3 arrives as part of a broader Boox refresh that also includes the larger Note Air6 C and Note Mini C. All three devices run Android 16 out of the box, giving the new products software that is only one generation behind the latest public Android release.
The Palma 3 still uses a 6.13-inch, 300ppi E Ink Carta display. The screen is unchanged from the previous model, but Boox has revised the surrounding hardware. The device has an anodized aluminum frame and a paper-like fiberglass backplate, replacing the earlier design with a more premium-looking exterior.
It runs on a Qualcomm Q-6690 octa-core processor paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Users can expand the storage with a microSD card. Boox also lists a 3,950mAh rechargeable battery, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a fingerprint reader built into the power button.
The software update is a bigger step than it may initially appear. The original Palma shipped with Android 11, while the Palma 2 ran Android 13. Android 16 gives the Palma 3 access to a more current version of Google's mobile operating system and reinforces its position as more than a dedicated e-reader.
Like other Boox products, the Palma 3 supports apps from the Google Play Store. Users can install their preferred reading and note-taking software instead of being locked into a single e-book ecosystem. That flexibility is a key part of the product's appeal, particularly for readers who use multiple book, news, and document apps.
Boox is also extending InkSense Plus active-stylus compatibility to the Palma 3. The stylus is sold separately for $46. It works with compatible note-taking apps, allowing the device to function as a small digital notepad as well as an e-reader. The limited writing area makes it less suitable for longer note-taking sessions than a larger E Ink tablet, but it may be useful for short annotations and quick notes.
The Palma 3 costs more than its predecessor. The Palma 2 launched in 2024 for $279.99, while the Palma 3 is priced at $339.99. Adding the stylus brings the total to about $386, putting it closer to the price range of larger E Ink note-taking products such as the reMarkable Paper Pro.
The Palma differs from Boox's new Note devices in both size and intended use. The Note Air6 C and Note Mini C are tablet-style E Ink devices, while the Palma remains focused on portability. Its smartphone-like form factor is aimed at readers who want an E Ink screen that fits in a pocket and runs Android apps without functioning as a conventional phone.
Boox has not announced a specific release date for the Palma 3, saying only that it will be "available soon."