Which Is Better: Boox Palma vs. Boox Palma 2

If the original Boox Palma was the gadget equivalent of a charming indie film, the Boox Palma 2 is the sequel that keeps the same cast, same set, and almost the same script, then quietly slips in a better processor and a fingerprint reader and expects everyone to clap. The good news is that the applause is mostly deserved. The bad news is that if you already own the first Palma, you probably do not need to sprint toward the checkout button like it owes you money.

Both devices are tiny, phone-shaped E Ink readers designed for people who want something more flexible than a Kindle and less distracting than a smartphone. Both are built around a 6.13-inch Carta 1200 display with 300 ppi sharpness, both run Android with access to reading apps, and both are wonderfully pocketable. The real question is not whether the Boox Palma 2 is better on paper. It is. The real question is whether it is better enough to justify the extra cost.

Here is the quick answer: the Boox Palma 2 is the better device overall, but the original Boox Palma is still the better value for many buyers. If you are buying new and the price difference is reasonable, Palma 2 makes more sense. If you already have the original Palma, the upgrade is incremental, not revolutionary.

Boox Palma vs. Boox Palma 2: What Stayed the Same

Before we talk about what changed, let’s respect what stubbornly refused to change. Boox clearly looked at the original Palma and said, “You know what? This weird little rectangle is working.” And honestly, fair enough.

Both the Palma and Palma 2 use a 6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen with an 824 x 1648 resolution at 300 ppi. In plain English, text looks crisp, high-contrast, and easy on the eyes. This is still the main attraction. If your goal is reading books, articles, newsletters, or saved web content without getting flash-banged by an OLED phone screen at 11:47 p.m., both devices deliver.

They also share the same 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, microSD expansion, dual-tone front lights, auto-rotation, rear 16MP camera for document scanning, and a body weight of roughly 170 grams. Battery capacity is also the same, so this is not one of those sequel products that suddenly develops a six-pack. The overall shape, portability, and one-handed comfort remain the signature appeal.

That means the core experience is still wonderfully familiar: phone-sized device, paper-like screen, Android flexibility, and the ability to install Kindle, Kobo, Libby, Pocket, Readwise Reader, Google Play Books, and a bunch of other apps that make traditional e-readers feel a bit closed-off by comparison.

What the Boox Palma 2 Actually Improves

1. A Newer Android Version

The original Boox Palma shipped with Android 11, while the Boox Palma 2 moves to Android 13. That might sound like a dry spec-sheet detail, but it matters more than it first appears. A newer version of Android generally means better app compatibility over time, a more current software foundation, and a slightly longer runway before apps start acting like your device belongs in a museum.

If you plan to keep your reader for years and use lots of third-party apps, Palma 2 gets a real advantage here. It is not flashy, but it is practical. Think of it as buying milk before the expiration date gets too adventurous.

2. Fingerprint Unlock

The Boox Palma 2 adds a fingerprint reader built into the power button. Is that life-changing? No. Is it nice? Absolutely. On a device shaped like a phone, unlocking it with your finger feels natural, fast, and slightly more polished. It also makes the Palma 2 feel more like a modern mobile device rather than a clever reading gadget that wandered out of a lab.

That said, this is more convenience than transformation. No one was refusing to read on the original Palma because they had to enter a PIN. Still, once you use fingerprint unlock, it is hard not to appreciate it.

3. Slightly Better Performance

Boox upgraded the CPU in Palma 2, and most review consensus lands in the same place: yes, it feels a bit faster, but no, this is not a dramatic leap. Menus are a little smoother, swipes are a little cleaner, and general navigation feels more refined. That matters because E Ink devices live or die by their perceived sluggishness.

The original Palma was already more responsive than many people expected from an E Ink device. Palma 2 just sands down some of the rougher edges. It is less “wow, E Ink can do that?” and more “nice, this is slightly less annoying.” Small win, still a win.

4. Bluetooth 5.1

The upgrade from Bluetooth 5.0 to 5.1 is not the kind of thing that deserves fireworks, but it does count as a modernizing touch. If you pair wireless earbuds for audiobooks, podcasts, or text-to-speech, Palma 2 looks a little fresher on paper. Most casual users will not feel a dramatic difference day to day, but it is another reminder that Palma 2 is the cleaner long-term buy.

Where the Original Boox Palma Still Holds Up Beautifully

Here is the part where the original Palma refuses to leave the room quietly.

The first model is still excellent at the job that made people care in the first place: portable, distraction-light reading. If your priorities are screen quality, pocketability, app freedom, expandable storage, and reading comfort, the original Palma remains deeply compelling. It is not suddenly outdated just because its younger sibling showed up wearing a fingerprint scanner and a slightly newer version of Android.

In fact, if you mostly read books, browse articles, and occasionally listen to audio over Bluetooth, the experience can feel remarkably similar. This is especially true because the display itself did not change. Same size. Same resolution. Same paper-like look. Same monochrome charm that makes your phone feel like a caffeine-addicted chaos machine by comparison.

So if you see the original Palma at a meaningful discount, it becomes a very tempting deal. You are not buying a broken first draft. You are buying a still-clever device that happened to get followed by a modest refresh.

Reading Experience: Which One Feels Better in Daily Use?

For pure reading, both devices are excellent. The slim, phone-like shape makes them easy to hold one-handed, especially in bed, on a commute, or while standing in a line that mysteriously moves only when you stop paying attention. Compared with larger e-readers, the Palma line is simply easier to carry everywhere.

The trade-off is obvious: the screen is smaller than a Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Libra. That means more page turns and less text per screen. Some readers will love the pocketability. Others will miss the roomier layout of a traditional e-reader. This is not a flaw so much as a personality trait.

Palma 2 gets the edge in feel, not format. Because of the processor bump and software refresh, it tends to feel a bit more polished while navigating menus, switching apps, and adjusting settings. But once you are deep into a novel, the difference narrows. A page of text still looks like a page of text. Neither device suddenly turns into a speed demon, and neither one is supposed to.

Software, App Flexibility, and the “Kindle But More Interesting” Factor

This is where the Palma family earns its cult following. Unlike many mainstream e-readers, these devices run Android and give you Google Play access. That means you are not trapped inside one bookstore or one ecosystem. Want Kindle for novels, Kobo for a sale, Libby for library books, Pocket for saved articles, and Readwise Reader for newsletters? Go ahead. The Palma line is basically the Switzerland of reading devices.

That flexibility makes both models more powerful than many standard e-readers. It also makes them a little messier. Android on E Ink is clever, but it is not always elegant. Some apps behave beautifully, others feel only “pretty good considering the screen,” and a few will remind you that E Ink is still not built for fast animation or silky typing. Palma 2 improves that feeling a bit, but it does not rewrite the laws of display physics.

So yes, the Palma 2 is more future-proof and marginally more refined. But the original Palma is still highly capable if what you want is a reading-first Android device rather than a tiny grayscale pretend-phone with superhero ambitions.

Camera, Audio, and Other Oddball Features

Both devices include a 16MP rear camera with flash, mainly for document scanning. It is one of those features that sounds weird until you realize it is genuinely useful. Snap a document, convert it, and read it later on an eye-friendly screen. Very practical. Very Boox. Very “my e-reader is doing a side quest.”

The speaker and Bluetooth support also add versatility. You can handle audiobooks, podcasts, or text-to-speech without needing a second device. Just keep your expectations in check. These are not media monsters. They are reading gadgets with a broader skill set than average, not full entertainment slabs.

Neither device includes cellular support, so if you were hoping to replace your phone entirely, that dream ends here with a polite but firm shrug. Wi-Fi only. No SIM tray. No secret mission. These are companions to your digital life, not complete replacements.

Price and Value: This Is Where the Decision Gets Real

At current official-store pricing, the original Boox Palma sits below the Palma 2. That price gap matters because the changes between the two models are meaningful, but not dramatic. If the difference is around fifty dollars, Palma 2 is easier to justify. If the original gets discounted more aggressively at a retailer, the value argument swings hard in its favor.

Here is the simplest way to think about it:

• Buy the Boox Palma 2 if you are purchasing new, want the newer Android version, appreciate fingerprint unlock, and prefer the slightly smoother, more future-proof option.
• Buy the original Boox Palma if you want the same essential reading experience for less money and do not care about a modest performance bump or fingerprint security.
• Do not upgrade from Palma to Palma 2 immediately unless you specifically want Android 13, fingerprint unlock, or simply enjoy treating yourself to niche gadgets. Which, to be fair, is a valid hobby.

Final Verdict: Which Is Better, Boox Palma or Boox Palma 2?

The Boox Palma 2 is better. It is the more polished, more current, and more sensible new purchase. The newer software, fingerprint reader, and performance improvements make it the stronger long-term choice, especially for first-time buyers.

But the Boox Palma is still the smarter buy for value hunters. Because the display, size, storage, battery, and core reading concept are so similar, the original model remains highly competitive. If you can get it for less, it is still one of the most interesting compact E Ink readers around.

So the real winner depends on your wallet and your tolerance for incremental upgrades. If you want the best version of this idea, get the Palma 2. If you want the best deal on this idea, get the original Palma. Either way, you end up with one of the most delightfully odd reading devices on the market, which is honestly half the fun.

Extended Real-World Experience: Living With Boox Palma vs. Boox Palma 2

Using either device feels less like owning a traditional e-reader and more like adopting a very calm, introverted phone. You pick it up expecting the usual buzz of notifications, bright colors, and algorithmic chaos, but instead you get a quiet little slab asking, “Would you like to read a chapter and maybe lower your blood pressure?” It is a surprisingly pleasant vibe.

In real-world use, the biggest strength of both models is not just portability. It is friction reduction. A larger e-reader often lives in a bag, on a nightstand, or somewhere just inconvenient enough that you do not grab it for five spare minutes. The Palma line fixes that. It slides into a jacket pocket, disappears into a small crossbody bag, and feels natural in one hand. That changes reading habits. People who usually say they want to read more may actually end up doing it because the device is simply there all the time.

For commuters, this matters a lot. Reading on the subway, train, or bus feels easier because the device is small, grippy, and quick to wake. For bedtime reading, both models are excellent because the front light is gentle and the E Ink screen feels far less aggressive than a phone. For outdoor reading, they are even better. Sunlight does not bully these displays the way it bullies glossy smartphone screens.

Where the two models begin to separate is in those tiny moments that add up over weeks. On the Palma 2, unlocking the device with your fingerprint is smoother. Jumping between apps feels a bit quicker. Adjusting settings feels a little less clunky. None of this creates a dramatic “wow” moment, but it does make the newer model feel more settled, like Boox tightened a few screws that were slightly loose on the original.

Typing remains the weak spot on both. E Ink is still E Ink, and on-screen keyboards are never going to feel as fast as they do on a standard phone. So if your dream is writing long emails, chatting constantly, or treating the Palma like a mini productivity machine, you will eventually meet the limits of the format. These devices are best when they stay in their lane: reading, light browsing, audio, note reviewing, and occasional document scanning.

That is really the heart of the experience. The Palma is already very good at this quiet, intentional style of use. The Palma 2 is just a little more refined at it. If you are new to the category, you will probably appreciate the newer model more. If you already own the original, you may discover that your existing Palma still does 90% to 95% of what the sequel does, which makes the upgrade feel more like a gentle nudge than a revelation.

And maybe that is the fairest conclusion of all: neither model is trying to be everything. They are trying to be a better place to read. On that mission, both succeed. One is just slightly shinier about it.

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