The Boox Palma 2 Pro finally got me to stop reading on my phone

The $400 Boox Palma 2 Pro is a smartphone-sized e-reader designed for people who want to read books, articles, and documents on a small E Ink display. However, it offers more than just a dedicated reading experience because it runs Android and supports Google Play, giving you access to third-party apps. Think of it as a cross between a Kindle and a compact Android tablet.

售价 400 美元的 Boox Palma 2 Pro 是一款智能手机大小的电子阅读器，专为那些希望在小型电子墨水屏上阅读书籍、文章和文档的用户而设计。然而，它提供的不仅仅是纯粹的阅读体验，因为它运行 Android 系统并支持 Google Play，让你能够使用第三方应用程序。你可以把它看作是 Kindle 和小型 Android 平板电脑的结合体。

What drew me to reviewing the Palma 2 Pro was its size. When I’m not reading a physical book, I like to lie on my side and read at night before bed. Most e-reader are squarish and hard to hold without something like a PopSocket, and they can feel too big for reading while lying down. So even though I own a Kindle, I often ended up reading on my iPhone simply because it was more comfortable in my hand.

吸引我评测 Palma 2 Pro 的原因是它的尺寸。当我不读纸质书时，我喜欢侧卧在床上阅读。大多数电子阅读器呈方形，如果没有类似气囊支架（PopSocket）之类的配件很难拿稳，而且躺着阅读时会感觉太大。因此，尽管我拥有 Kindle，但我最终还是经常用 iPhone 阅读，仅仅是因为它拿在手里更舒服。

But, reading on your phone for too long can of course cause eye strain. The Palma 2 Pro ultimately solved this problem for me during the two months I spent testing it. The device’s front-lit screen lets you choose between cool and warm lighting. This was a big plus for me because when I’m reading in bed at night, I don’t want to disturb my sleeping husband with the light.

但是，在手机上阅读时间过长当然会导致眼睛疲劳。在我测试它的两个月里，Palma 2 Pro 最终为我解决了这个问题。该设备的前光屏幕允许你在冷光和暖光之间进行选择。这对我很重要，因为晚上在床上阅读时，我不想让光线打扰到正在睡觉的丈夫。

While you can lower the brightness on a smartphone, the Palma 2 Pro can be dimmed to an exceptionally low level. Even when reading in complete darkness, I could see the screen clearly without straining my eyes or disturbing my husband. Not only was the Boox Palma 2 Pro easier on my eyes, but it was also noticeably lighter than my iPhone, weighing just 175 grams and making it even more comfortable to hold.

虽然智能手机可以调低亮度，但 Palma 2 Pro 可以调至极低的亮度水平。即使在完全黑暗的环境中阅读，我也能清晰地看到屏幕，而不会感到眼睛疲劳或打扰到丈夫。Boox Palma 2 Pro 不仅对我的眼睛更友好，而且明显比我的 iPhone 更轻，重量仅为 175 克，拿在手里更加舒适。

And since it’s pocket-sized, I ended up carrying it everywhere, from the doctor’s office to the airport, especially since it fits in my small, everyday purse that isn’t big enough for a Kindle. So, in moments when I would normally scroll on my phone, I was getting some reading in instead.

由于它只有口袋大小，我最终把它带到了任何地方，从医生办公室到机场，特别是它能放进我平时背的小包里，而那个包通常装不下 Kindle。因此，在平时我习惯刷手机的时刻，我反而能读上一会儿书。

Since it’s not a locked-down e-reader, you can download apps like Kindle, Kobo, and Libby, as well as apps for audiobooks, podcasts, read-it-later services, and email. This means that you don’t have to use the built-in reader app, and can choose to read on your preferred app. Access to apps turns the compact E Ink device into a versatile tool for reading, research, and productivity.

因为它不是一款封闭式的电子阅读器，你可以下载 Kindle、Kobo 和 Libby 等应用程序，以及有声读物、播客、稍后阅读服务和电子邮件应用。这意味着你不必使用内置的阅读器应用，可以选择在你喜欢的应用上阅读。对应用程序的访问使这款紧凑的电子墨水设备成为了阅读、研究和提高生产力的多功能工具。

It’s worth noting that while scrolling through these apps, animations and some interfaces may feel sluggish because not all apps are optimized for E Ink. And while the device is capable of displaying color, images will definitely look less vibrant than they would a smartphone screen. For me, the Palma 2 Pro became a dedicated device for reading and listening to audiobooks, which allowed me to enjoy the best of both worlds without the usual distractions that come with a smartphone.

值得注意的是，在浏览这些应用程序时，动画和某些界面可能会感觉迟缓，因为并非所有应用程序都针对电子墨水屏进行了优化。虽然该设备能够显示颜色，但图像看起来肯定不如智能手机屏幕那样鲜艳。对我来说，Palma 2 Pro 成为了我阅读和听有声读物的专用设备，这让我既享受了阅读的乐趣，又避免了智能手机带来的常见干扰。

The Boox Palma 2 Pro also features a rear camera for scanning documents, a built-in speaker for listening to audio without headphones, and a hybrid SIM slot for cellular data on the go. The device is compatible with a stylus, so you can take notes and mark up PDFs. However, I can’t speak to that experience since I didn’t receive a stylus with my review unit.

Boox Palma 2 Pro 还配备了用于扫描文档的后置摄像头、无需耳机即可收听音频的内置扬声器，以及用于移动蜂窝数据的混合 SIM 卡槽。该设备兼容手写笔，因此你可以做笔记和标注 PDF。不过，由于我的评测机没有附带手写笔，我无法评价这方面的体验。

As for battery life, the device lasted about 5–7 days, which worked for me but could be a downside for people who are used to Kindles, which can last for weeks on a single charge. Additionally, if you want to get more juice out of the device, you can just turn off Wi-Fi. One downside I found, especially for an e-reader at this price point, is that there’s quite a bit of ghosting.

关于电池续航，该设备大约能持续 5 到 7 天，这对我来说还可以，但对于习惯了单次充电即可使用数周的 Kindle 用户来说，这可能是一个缺点。此外，如果你想让设备续航更久，只需关闭 Wi-Fi 即可。我发现的一个缺点是，特别是对于这个价位的电子阅读器来说，它存在相当明显的残影现象。

Text from a previous page can linger on the screen when you turn to the next page or return to the home screen. There’s a refresh button in the navigation bar that quickly clears it, but it may get annoying for some users to repeatedly have to do that. I think the Boox Palma 2 Pro is a great device for a very specific type of reader: someone who wants a smartphone-sized device for comfort, portability, as well as access to apps.

当你翻到下一页或返回主屏幕时，上一页的文字可能会残留在屏幕上。导航栏中有一个刷新按钮可以快速清除残影，但对于某些用户来说，反复这样做可能会很烦人。我认为 Boox Palma 2 Pro 对于特定类型的读者来说是一款出色的设备：那些想要一款智能手机大小的设备，以追求舒适性、便携性以及应用程序访问权限的人。

If you’re someone who loves your Kindle, I don’t think this device is for you. But if, like me, you’re tired of reading on your phone and dealing with eye strain or headaches, the Boox Palma 2 Pro is a great option. Of course, the price is quite steep for an e-reader, so you’ll have to decide whether the added versatility and portability are worth the extra cost. It’s worth mentioning that Boox is launching a non-Pro Palma 3 soon for $340 that features a black and white display and replaces the Palma 2.

如果你是 Kindle 的忠实用户，我认为这款设备并不适合你。但如果你像我一样，厌倦了在手机上阅读并忍受眼睛疲劳或头痛，那么 Boox Palma 2 Pro 是一个不错的选择。当然，作为电子阅读器，它的价格相当昂贵，所以你需要权衡增加的多功能性和便携性是否值得这笔额外开支。值得一提的是，Boox 即将推出售价 340 美元的非 Pro 版 Palma 3，它采用黑白显示屏，并将取代 Palma 2。