Brandt Ranj is a commerce reporter for The Verge writing about the best deals and gadgets. He previously wrote for Business Insider, Rolling Stone, Futurism, and Popular Science.
If you want a convenient way to stay well read without amassing a library of physical books, an e-reader may be the right solution. The Boox Palma 2 impressed us with its pocket-friendly size and ability to run Android apps. A bundle including the Boox Palma 2 and a case is $299.99 ($29 off) at Wellbots. From today until August 21st, Verge readers can save an additional $25, and get free shipping, by using the promo code VERGE25 at checkout.
$275
The Boox Palma 2 is a 6.3-inch smartphone-sized e-reader that’s highly portable. It also runs on Android and comes with the Google Play Store built-in, allowing you to download apps for other digital bookstores, newspapers, note-taking apps, and more. Read our review.
Verge Editor-at-Large David Pierce liked the Palma 2 because it allowed him to read, take notes, and listen to music or podcasts without using his smartphone. The device’s 6.13-inch E Ink touchscreen is roughly the size of the iPhone 16’s display, and it has the same pixel density as the latest Kindle Paperwhite, so text will look sharp. The device’s shape makes it easier to hold one handed or keep in a pocket than a Kindle or Kobo. Despite its size, we found the Palma 2 could last between four or five days per charge.
The Palma 2 has 128GB of storage, which is sufficient for holding hundreds of ebooks, but you could eat it up quickly by loading the device with apps from Google’s Play Store. If you run out of space, you can pop in a microSD card to add more. Its USB-C charging port doubles as a headphone jack, so you can download music, podcasts, and audiobooks for offline listening, all of which take up a lot more space than a typical ebook. You can also play audio through the Palma 2’s built-in speaker. The device even has a 16-megapixel camera, though in our tests it was best used for scanning documents and QR codes rather than taking photos.
If you want an e-reader that’s convenient to grab before you head out the door each morning, Boox’s Palma 2 is the only one that may reasonably fit in your pocket. Its size and shape can also make reading one-handed in a crowded train or while eating lunch more comfortable than a Kindle. It’s also more capable thanks to its ability to access Google Play Store, though the limits of an E Ink display may curb your desire to download social media apps or other distractions that can keep you from finally finishing War & Peace.
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