Onyx has previewed the upcoming BOOX Palma, w/ a Kaleido 3 display & 5G connectivity

[xyzzy_foo]

We saw the next Boox Palma and… is that a color E Ink screen and cellular connectivity? | The Verge
Upcoming BOOX color Palma feels more smartphone than ever - Android Authority

Reporters from The Verge and Android Authority had the opportunity to get an early preview of the next-generation BOOX Palma at the BOOX booth at IFA 2025 in Berlin.
While The Verge could not confirm, Android Authority confirmed that it will have 5G cellular connectivity.

The official name has not yet been revealed, but it is scheduled to be announced next month.

[Anghirrim]

Looks exciting news!! I'm curious to see it in action.

Hope it won't get an outdated Android version. While for a reader it's OK, but for a potential phone, that's definitely a No Go.

[JSWolf]

That a shame. It could have been a nice little device. But it's been spoiled with a Kaleido overlay.

[rowe]

Think I read somewhere that the Boox phone will have a B/W option too.

Needs be a lot better than the Palma to significantly improve on the Bigme Hibreak Pro IMO, hopefully Boox can at least get to parity on:
- lighting
- android version
- refresh
- screen scratch resistance on the white versions (just use the micro-etched glass from the black versions? but the plastic on the white HBP is much better than the plastic on the white Palma)
- battery life

They could easily improve on the case, which was awful on the Palma and only slightly better on the BHP. Wireless charging would be nice. The second programmable button on the HBP is useful.

Although Boox software (other than refresh) tends to be better, there usually isn't the option of custom ROMs either. If Boox made it easy for it to run a clean version of Android that would be great.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by rowe

Think I read somewhere that the Boox phone will have a B/W option too.

Needs be a lot better than the Palma to significantly improve on the Bigme Hibreak Pro IMO, hopefully Boox can at least get to parity on:
- lighting
- android version
- refresh
- screen scratch resistance on the white versions (just use the micro-etched glass from the black versions? but the plastic on the white HBP is much better than the plastic on the white Palma)
- battery life

They could easily improve on the case, which was awful on the Palma and only slightly better on the BHP. Wireless charging would be nice. The second programmable button on the HBP is useful.

Although Boox software (other than refresh) tends to be better, there usually isn't the option of custom ROMs either. If Boox made it easy for it to run a clean version of Android that would be great.

I don't know why, but Bigme also has the same deal with plastic screens on white devices and glass on the black ones. I have a white and a black Hibreak Pro. The black one has a glass screen. So I'll sell the white one.

And I agree that the state of the Palma currently definitely doesn't cut it as a phone. They'd have to improve on it considerably before it'd be a viable option. But if they do, and add a metal frame while keeping the SD card slot, I'd be tempted to switch to that.

I mostly miss an SD card slot, a higher quality frame and better software on my Hibreak Pro. Mostly, I miss having integrated full refresh control like Boox devices have in Koreader and Alreader X.

[rowe]

Looks like the B/W version rumour was wrong, and it's only going to be colour. That completely rules it out for me, I even prefer B/W eink from many years ago to the current colour eink panels.

Also, seems like it's only going to be 4G. Strange decision considering the 5G Hibreak Pro has been out for some time.

They've redesigned the case, but it still looks poor at first glance. The case seems to have MagSafe now though which would be a good addition. Please just copy the Hisense A9 case (very simple but well fitted, slim, and felt good).

'I don't know why, but Bigme also has the same deal with plastic screens on white devices and glass on the black ones.' I think the plastic on the white HBP is good though, doesn't blur much, diffuses light pretty well, and pretty scratch resistant (unlike the white Palma). It's the best plastic ereader surface I've seen.

[Anghirrim]

Originally Posted by rowe

Looks like the B/W version rumour was wrong, and it's only going to be colour. That completely rules it out for me, I even prefer B/W eink from many years ago to the current colour eink panels.

Also, seems like it's only going to be 4G. Strange decision considering the 5G Hibreak Pro has been out for some time.

They've redesigned the case, but it still looks poor at first glance. The case seems to have MagSafe now though which would be a good addition. Please just copy the Hisense A9 case (very simple but well fitted, slim, and felt good).

'I don't know why, but Bigme also has the same deal with plastic screens on white devices and glass on the black ones.' I think the plastic on the white HBP is good though, doesn't blur much, diffuses light pretty well, and pretty scratch resistant (unlike the white Palma). It's the best plastic ereader surface I've seen.

What about the bevel of the HBP? On the videos, seems like the screen is really embedded down into the case.

[rowe]

It is. In practice it doesn't bother me. It's only really noticeable if the main light source is at an extreme angle.