# This is NOT a Phone. - BOOX Palma 2 Pro Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8-OvS8FY0k Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/j8-OvS8FY0k Generated: 2025-12-12T21:34:50.622+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The BOOX Palma 2 Pro is not a true smartphone despite its phone-like form factor and the inclusion of a SIM card slot; it is primarily an E-Ink device that excels at reading and note-taking, though its performance benchmarks (AnTuTu score of 212,863) and battery life (6.07 hours of 1080p video playback) are competitive for its niche but severely lag behind modern smartphones. **Key Points:** - The BOOX Palma 2 Pro features a 6.13-inch E-Paper Display with a flat-cover lens and a textured, non-slip back that feels like leather. - It includes both a USB-C port and a hybrid SIM/SD card slot, allowing for data connectivity but explicitly not for phone calls or SMS/RCS messaging. - The device runs Android 15 with Boox E InkWise settings, offering granular control over refresh modes (like Fast Refresh, which improves responsiveness but causes flickering in color mode). - In AnTuTu Standard Benchmark testing, the Palma 2 Pro scored 212,863, which is comparable to the Galaxy A16 (212,980) but significantly lower than the RedMagic 10 Pro (936,631). - Battery discharge testing showed the Palma 2 Pro lasted 6.07 hours playing 1080p video (with battery saver disabled and fastest refresh mode), outperforming 'The Minimal Phone' (4.23 hours). - The included Boox InkSense Plus stylus offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and features a customizable shortcut button, providing a good writing experience. - The device's primary appeal is its E-Ink screen for reading, which is less taxing on the eyes than traditional displays, despite its lower performance in standard smartphone tasks like navigation. ![Screenshot at 00:19: The host explicitly states that the device is a phone\* with an asterisk, clarifying immediately that it is not a standard phone because it only supports data connectivity and lacks traditional calling/texting functionality.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/j8-OvS8FY0k/00-00-19.png) **Context:** The video is a review of the Onyx Boox Palma 2 Pro, a device that resembles a smartphone but utilizes an E-Ink display, positioning itself as a dedicated reading and note-taking tool rather than a true mobile phone replacement. The host, Andrew Moore, unboxes the device, highlights its physical features, tests its performance via benchmarks and video playback, and demonstrates the functionality of its specialized E-Ink screen and accompanying stylus. ## Detailed Analysis The reviewer unboxes the Boox Palma 2 Pro, noting its phone-sized form factor and white color option, which features a textured back resembling leather. The device includes a 6.13-inch E-Paper Display, a 16MP rear camera, a USB-C port, and a hybrid SIM/SD card slot, though it cannot be used for voice calls or traditional texting. The host finds the textured white back appealing, contrasting it with the black version which looks sleeker. The device runs Android 15 with Boox E InkWise settings, allowing users to customize refresh modes; using 'Fast Refresh' improves responsiveness but causes flickering, especially in color mode. The stylus, the Boox InkSense Plus ($45.99), offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and a customizable shortcut button, providing a good writing feel, though the reviewer notes some slight scratchiness and a delay when erasing/drawing compared to a normal screen. Performance benchmarks show the device scoring 212,863 on AnTuTu, similar to a Galaxy A16 but far behind a high-end device like the RedMagic 10 Pro (936,631). Battery life testing for 1080p video playback showed 6.07 hours, beating 'The Minimal Phone' (4.23 hours), but the host notes this is still short for a daily-use phone. Ultimately, the reviewer concludes that the device is successful as a dedicated E-Ink device for reading and light tasks, despite its limitations as a mainstream smartphone replacement. ### Unboxing and Design - The device comes in black and white versions, featuring a 6.13" E-Paper Display, a textured back, a 16MP rear camera, USB-C, and a hybrid SIM/SD slot. ### Software and Customization - It runs Android 15 with Boox E InkWise settings, allowing detailed control over refresh modes like 'Fast Refresh' and 'Color Mode', though adjusting settings can sometimes be slow or frustrating. ### Stylus Performance - The included Boox InkSense Plus stylus has 4096 pressure levels and a customizable button; writing feels nice with a slight scratch, but erasing/drawing can introduce noticeable latency or ghosting. ### Performance Benchmarks - The AnTuTu score is 212,863, which is comparable to a Galaxy A16 (212,980) but significantly lower than high-end hardware like the RedMagic 10 Pro (936,631). ### Battery Life Test - Video playback drained the battery in 6.07 hours (Palma 2 Pro) versus 4.23 hours (The Minimal Phone) under aggressive test settings (Fastest Refresh Mode, Battery Saver Disabled). ### Conclusion and Verdict - The Palma 2 Pro is a successful E-Ink device for reading and light tasks, but its low performance and mediocre battery life for video playback prevent it from fully replacing a traditional smartphone. ![Screenshot at 00:08: The host introduces the Boox Palma 2 Pro, which sits between two boxes on the desk, ready for unboxing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/j8-OvS8FY0k/00-00-08.png) ![Screenshot at 01:00: The host demonstrates the length of the included 3.5ft/1.1m USB-C to A cable.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/j8-OvS8FY0k/00-01-00.png) ![Screenshot at 01:55: The device's 6.13" E-Paper Display is shown, highlighting its low-power nature suitable for reading.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/j8-OvS8FY0k/00-01-55.png) ![Screenshot at 03:51: The host demonstrates the magnetic attachment of the tan-colored folio case, which wraps around the back of the device.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/j8-OvS8FY0k/00-03-51.png) ![Screenshot at 12:30: An AnTuTu Standard Benchmark chart shows the Palma 2 Pro scoring 212,863, comparable to the Galaxy A16 but far behind the RedMagic 10 Pro.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/j8-OvS8FY0k/00-12-30.png)