One of the best e-readers I’ve ever tested is an Android phone clone packed with wonder.

ZDNET’s key findings

• He Onyx Boox Palma It’s a $279 e-reader designed like a smartphone.
• It runs a stripped-down version of Android 11, allowing users to download any app or game from the Google Play Store.
• The lack of cellular connectivity and water and dust resistance are notable drawbacks, but ones most people can handle.

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When I first discovered the Onyx Boox PalmaI was both perplexed and fascinated. Sure, KindlesNooks and other book-replacing devices were taking off, but did anyone really need one that was the size and shape of a phone?

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If the Boox Palma hadn’t been able to download virtually any apps from the Play Store (thanks to it being part of a growing range of Android-powered e-readers), I probably wouldn’t have done so. But after using it for the past year, especially during long work trips and the weekly commute, I’m very glad I did.

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To be clear, the Boox Palma runs on an outdated and stripped-down version of Android 11, and I don’t expect the manufacturer to update to the less Android 12 will be outdated in the near future. I have no problem with that, as the device doesn’t need the most sophisticated animations, camera features, and theming capabilities to serve its purpose.

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The two main advantages of using Android on a device like this are access to the Play Store, which means you can download more than one e-reader app (as well as TikTok, Instagram, Disney+, etc., if you’re feeling crazy), and a lot of customization. These are two things you simply won’t find on a conventional e-reader like a Kindle or Kobo, and they really do pamper you.

The app’s flexibility means you can access your core (and all) collection of ebooks and audiobooks from various brand stores, and the built-in web browser lets you consume content beyond that. I’ve been using the native PushRead app to save a list of web articles to read offline. At this point, I’ve gotten into a routine of picking 10-15 stories every Sunday and reading them throughout the week.

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As for customization, whether you are a Android either iOS User, most of the settings, interactions, and gestures will feel very familiar. For example, you can choose between navigation buttons or swipe gestures, adjust the backlight, color temperature, volume, and more from the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top right corner, and even activate a “floating ball” for one-tap shortcuts.

Over time, you’ll discover more elaborate settings, such as the ability to turn on page-by-page scrolling (which makes text animations less jarring on a low-frame-rate display) and page turning via the volume buttons (great for one-handed use). This combination of settings alone makes the Boox Palma one of the most comfortable and fuss-free e-readers I’ve tested.

The Boox Palma’s big draw is its pocket-friendly size, with a 6.13-inch E Ink Carta 1200 display that can be operated in one hand. The micro-etched screen gives monochrome images depth and decent contrast, though I wish it had a higher refresh rate to make the most of non-e-reader apps on the Play Store. This is just a nitpicking criticism, of course, and to some extent the hardware limitation has prevented me from browsing TikTok or catching up on YouTube videos.

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The Boox Palma’s design has a few other interesting quirks, like the textured plastic back that feels (and looks) cheap but gives the phone some grip, and the mappable side button that will have iPhone 15 Pro users wondering if the action button was really groundbreaking. Since the Boox Palma can double as an MP3 player, I would have loved to see a 3.5mm headphone jack on this device.

ZDNET’s buying advice

All this to say that the Onyx Boox Palma It’s a very niche device that, for the right customer, will bring a lot of satisfaction. I never thought I’d fall into the trap of pocket-sized Android-powered e-readers, but here I am, months later, ready to pack up the Boox Palma for whenever my next trip comes up.

The E Ink display means I can consume all the articles and ebooks I usually read on my phone without worrying about eye strain, and the lighter approach to Android strikes a balance between app availability, user customization, and battery life that lasts me well into my second week with moderate use.