Still no new 13.3" ?

Bookchin · 08-08-2026, 04:34 PM

Been waiting for any news about a possible new 13.3" Onyx Boox.

Has anyone heard anything through the grapevine?

I'm reluctant to get the Note Max because of the ghosting and firmware issues.

May have to break down and get the Tab XC if no new 13.3" is on the horizon.

I need the large size for academic PDFs.

davester · 08-09-2026, 05:13 AM

I'm in the same exact boat! Looking for 13.3" Android E-ink tablet. Either the successor to the Note Max or Tab XC. There are no rumors that I have seen as I scope out these kinds of forums regularly.
BEWARE: You probably don't want to cave and get either of these older devices as they have Android-13, where A-17 is the current version and these devices do not allow upgrades to a newer Android version. A-13 is no longer supported by Google, so there are no more security patches and bug fixes and current apps may not install/update on this OLDER Android version.

Renate · 08-09-2026, 10:25 AM

Just saying...
It seems to me a racket to just be constantly chasing new Android versions.

Pajamaman · 08-09-2026, 10:47 AM

You think? Users that use Onyx as tablets often want and need the latest advanced apps that require newer android versions.

I am not one of those users. If I want to use advanced app functionality, I use a tablet or a PC. Personally, I've found the super advanced stuff on E-ink a waste of time.

Aleron Ives · 08-09-2026, 03:59 PM

To be fair, this isn't Onyx's problem. Android version updates are locked to specific chipsets, because Google doesn't want to spend money supporting old hardware in new Android versions. Onyx tends to use outdated chipsets to lower device costs, since e-paper screens are already very expensive compared to LCD and OLED.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

I've found the super advanced stuff on E-ink a waste of time.

Pretty much. Most apps won't work properly on an e-paper screen anyway, so as long as you have working versions of the apps you need for daily use, having the latest Android version is probably not important.

davester · 08-09-2026, 04:40 PM

I would gladly pay for a 13.3" E-ink that acts like an external monitor (via BlueTooth or WiFi) to my iPad/iPhone. However, it is my understanding that Apple does not allow external touchscreen devices to provide data (e.g. keystrokes & curser-movement & clicks) back to the iPad. If I could project my iPad screen to an external E-ink device and then operate the iPad only through the manipulation of the E-ink device, that would be ideal. In addition, would appreciate an optional cord to connect the 2 devices, to allow for a faster connection for smoother video watching. ALSO, allow the option of casting the iPad screen to the E-ink, but allowing audio to play from the iPad (which has superior speakers).

Renate · 08-09-2026, 10:44 PM

I was going to say something about the "Mira" line of monitors at Onyx but it seems like they really rolled back on that and nothing is even available.

Going from a video input (HDMI/DP) to eink is not an easy feat.
It's better if the eink is more tightly bound to the GPU.

Bookchin · 08-10-2026, 11:31 AM

Just to be clear....I'm not after the latest Android version (I could care less and actually wish I could get an e-reader without it and the bloat). Just want a basic 13.3" e-reader that doesn't ghost and has sharp text, preferably CARTA 1300 or whatever the latest standard is.

Pajamaman · 08-10-2026, 11:59 AM

I doubt a newer version of Android will make much difference. It's designed for LCD. Have you tried messing with the contrast etc settings?

What are you reading? The issue may be with the app and how it renders. I was reading stuff on an Onyx Note 5 10". I think I was reading PDFs. I found the text faint, probably due to poor contrast. I switched to reading ebook formats with a dedicated e-reader app designed for epubs etc, and the text was as clear as a normal modern 6-7" e-reader. So the fault was in the rendering of the PDF, not the e-ink. Kinda defeats the purpose of using a large e-reader to read PDF. I went back to a tablet. Sheesh. In fact, I think I'll sell it.

joblack · 08-11-2026, 06:37 PM

In the newest firmware, you can find a string with 'Note Max 2' in it. So I suspect there will be a sequel to the Note Max.

08-08-2026, 04:34 PM	#1
Bookchin Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 2076068 Join Date: Apr 2017 Device: none	Still no new 13.3" ? Been waiting for any news about a possible new 13.3" Onyx Boox. Has anyone heard anything through the grapevine? I'm reluctant to get the Note Max because of the ghosting and firmware issues. May have to break down and get the Tab XC if no new 13.3" is on the horizon. I need the large size for academic PDFs.

08-10-2026, 11:59 AM	#9
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,914 Karma: 10737341 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	I doubt a newer version of Android will make much difference. It's designed for LCD. Have you tried messing with the contrast etc settings? What are you reading? The issue may be with the app and how it renders. I was reading stuff on an Onyx Note 5 10". I think I was reading PDFs. I found the text faint, probably due to poor contrast. I switched to reading ebook formats with a dedicated e-reader app designed for epubs etc, and the text was as clear as a normal modern 6-7" e-reader. So the fault was in the rendering of the PDF, not the e-ink. Kinda defeats the purpose of using a large e-reader to read PDF. I went back to a tablet. Sheesh. In fact, I think I'll sell it. Last edited by Pajamaman; 08-10-2026 at 12:12 PM.

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davester Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 1000002 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle DX, Yotaphone 2, iPhone7+, Dasung 13.3" HD-FT Monitor, iPad Pro	I'm in the same exact boat! Looking for 13.3" Android E-ink tablet. Either the successor to the Note Max or Tab XC. There are no rumors that I have seen as I scope out these kinds of forums regularly. BEWARE: You probably don't want to cave and get either of these older devices as they have Android-13, where A-17 is the current version and these devices do not allow upgrades to a newer Android version. A-13 is no longer supported by Google, so there are no more security patches and bug fixes and current apps may not install/update on this OLDER Android version.

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Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 4,492 Karma: 22077803 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Germany Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Just saying... It seems to me a racket to just be constantly chasing new Android versions.

08-09-2026, 10:47 AM	#4
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,914 Karma: 10737341 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	You think? Users that use Onyx as tablets often want and need the latest advanced apps that require newer android versions. I am not one of those users. If I want to use advanced app functionality, I use a tablet or a PC. Personally, I've found the super advanced stuff on E-ink a waste of time.

08-09-2026, 04:40 PM	#6
davester Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 1000002 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle DX, Yotaphone 2, iPhone7+, Dasung 13.3" HD-FT Monitor, iPad Pro	I would gladly pay for a 13.3" E-ink that acts like an external monitor (via BlueTooth or WiFi) to my iPad/iPhone. However, it is my understanding that Apple does not allow external touchscreen devices to provide data (e.g. keystrokes & curser-movement & clicks) back to the iPad. If I could project my iPad screen to an external E-ink device and then operate the iPad only through the manipulation of the E-ink device, that would be ideal. In addition, would appreciate an optional cord to connect the 2 devices, to allow for a faster connection for smoother video watching. ALSO, allow the option of casting the iPad screen to the E-ink, but allowing audio to play from the iPad (which has superior speakers).

08-09-2026, 10:44 PM	#7
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 4,492 Karma: 22077803 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Germany Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	I was going to say something about the "Mira" line of monitors at Onyx but it seems like they really rolled back on that and nothing is even available. Going from a video input (HDMI/DP) to eink is not an easy feat. It's better if the eink is more tightly bound to the GPU.

08-10-2026, 11:31 AM	#8
Bookchin Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 2076068 Join Date: Apr 2017 Device: none	Just to be clear....I'm not after the latest Android version (I could care less and actually wish I could get an e-reader without it and the bloat). Just want a basic 13.3" e-reader that doesn't ghost and has sharp text, preferably CARTA 1300 or whatever the latest standard is.

08-11-2026, 06:37 PM	#10
joblack Wizard Posts: 1,761 Karma: 4382688 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere on earth Device: Onyx Boox Tab X C	In the newest firmware, you can find a string with 'Note Max 2' in it. So I suspect there will be a sequel to the Note Max.

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