This $400 color E Ink device is almost a smartphone

Though E Ink technology is most closely associated with E Readers like the Kindle and Kobo, recent devices like the reMarkable Paper Pro Move and the Boox Tab X C have proven that there’s more to E Reader technology than just tucking into the latest bestseller, with these devices allowing users to draw, draft, write, message and more.

And now it looks like all this productivity is coming to a smaller device as Boox has updated its highly pocketable Palma line of smartphone-sized E Ink devices with the newly-announced Palma 2 Pro, which will be the first tablet of its kind to offer advanced features designed with both work and play in mind.

Bringing a smartphone experience to an E Ink device

You’ve got everything you need but a phone app

The $400 Palma 2 Pro is squarely targeted towards those looking for a smartphone-like experience from a device that looks like it has more in common with a Kindle than an iPhone. The 6.13-inch color E Ink device runs Android 15, and is powered by an octa-core processor and 8GB of RAM with 128GB of onboard storage.

The device also features 5G connectivity, a first for a Palma device thanks to a hybrid SIM slot, which can be used to either add 2 TB of storage or house a data-only SIM. Interestingly, because the device’s connectivity is limited to data-only, it cannot be used for traditional phone calls or texting despite having two onboard microphones, a receiver, and a speaker at the bottom. However, though you can’t make calls on the Palma 2 Pro, Boox does tout the ability for the device to work with navigation apps, which is something I definitely didn’t expect from an E Ink device.

In addition to all of its connectivity features, the Boox Palma 2 Pro also has an adjustable front light, power button with fingerprint security, onboard 16MP camera with an LED flash, and Bluetooth for connecting to wireless headphones. It will also be the first device in Boox’s Palma line to support drawing and taking notes with the company’s InkSense Plus stylus.

The Boox Palma 2 Pro is available to pre-order now ahead of its release date on November 7 for $400 and comes in either black and white. The InkSense Plus stylus is not included but those who wish to add one on can do so for an additional $46.

The popularity of E Ink devices as an alternative to traditional iPads and tablets has been interesting to watch, as E Ink devices often cost more and have fewer features than a traditional iPad or Android-based tablet. However, as I have noted before, there are certainly some interesting use cases for E Ink over traditional screens, smaller devices like the Palma 2 Pro may have room to grow in popularity as users look to limit “bad screen time” with their smartphones and replace it with “good screen time” on devices like these.