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The Onyx BOOX Palma 2 is an eBook reader that looks like a smartphones. It has a 6.13 inch, 824 x 1648 pixel capacitive touch display with 300 pixels per inch.

But this isn't a phone – it's a pocket-sized eBook reader with a black and white E ink Carta 1200 screen covered with a flat glass panel. The Palma 2 is an updated version of the original Onyx BOOX Palma, and the new model is a lot like its predecessor. But there are a few significant updates to the new model, which is now available for pre-order for $280.

First up, the first-gen BOOX Palma shipped with Android 11, while the new model comes with Android 13. Second, there's a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button of the Palma 2.

Perhaps most significantly, while both devices have unspecified "Qualcomm octa-core" processors, the makers of the Onyx BOOX Palma 2 say that the new model has a faster processor and support for "BOOX Super Refresh" technology for faster screen refresh speeds and smoother scrolling.

Keep in mind that this type of technology has been available for E Ink displays for a while, but typically involves trading image quality for speed. While you can refresh the page quickly enough for animations to look halfway decent, images and text may look a little fuzzier when you do that, and you may see the ghosts of previous images on the screen until the next time your device forces a full screen refresh.

Aside from the processor, software, and fingerprint sensor, the new Onyx BOOX Palma 2 appears to be virtually identical to the original… which is interesting, because this week the company also launched a similarly-sized device in China called the Onyx BOOX P6. And while that model has similar specs, it's missing a camera.

Onyx BOOX Palma 2 Onyx BOOX P6 Onyx BOOX Palma Display 6.13 inches824 x 1648 pixelsE Ink Carta 1200300 pixels per inchFront-light with adjustable color temperatureAutomatic Screen rotation Processor Upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8-core RAM 6GB Storage 128GB + microSD card reader OS Android 13 Android 11 WiFi 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Bluetooth BT 5.0 Ports 1 x USB Type-C Audio Stereo SpeakersMicrophone Stereo speakers Stereo SpeakersMicrophone Camera 16MP N/A 16MP Battery 3950 mAh Buttons PowerVolume / Page Turn / ScrollingCustomizable Function button Other features Ambient Light SensorSpeakerMicrophoneFingerprint sensorGoogle Play Store pre-installed ? Ambient Light SensorSpeakerMicrophoneGoogle Play Store pre-installed Dimensions 159 x 80 x 8mm 160 x 80 x 8mm 159 x 80 x 8mm Weight 170 grams 160 grams 170 grams

While the new Onyx BOOX Palma 2 is up for pre-order for $280, you can also save a few bucks by picking up the older model: the original Onyx BOOX Palma has received a small price cut and is now selling for $246.

press release

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