Boox has released an expanded set of details concerning its forthcoming smartphone-sized e-reader through a series of updates shared on China’s social media platform Weibo, offering enthusiasts and potential buyers a clearer sense of what to expect. The company initially provided only a brief glimpse of this new device at IFA 2025 last month, where hands-on opportunities were highly restricted and the product remained largely mysterious. Now, Boox has confirmed that the device will be officially branded as the Boox P6 Pro for the Chinese market, where it is anticipated to debut on October 9th. Distinguishing itself from Boox’s earlier Palma models that relied exclusively on Wi-Fi connectivity, the P6 Pro will integrate a SIM card tray, granting users cellular network access on the go. This means reading, browsing, and syncing digital libraries won’t necessarily require a Wi-Fi connection. Furthermore, Boox intends to release two display configurations—a richly hued color E Ink option and a more traditional black-and-white variant—allowing consumers to select based on their reading preferences. Precise pricing information and global launch plans, however, remain undisclosed, leaving international buyers waiting for further announcements.

Although the company has yet to publish the complete technical specifications for both models, preliminary information suggests that the color edition of the P6 Pro will feature a 16-megapixel rear camera. This camera will be particularly handy for digitizing handwritten notes or scanning paper documents into editable digital files, extending the e-reader’s practical applications beyond simple reading. Other notable internal components include 8GB of RAM—ample for smooth multitasking and app responsiveness—and a built-in storage capacity of 128GB. Importantly, storage can be expanded dramatically up to 2TB thanks to the device’s hybrid SIM tray, which functions as a dual slot capable of accommodating a microSD card for additional space, thus offering remarkable flexibility for users with large content libraries.

Despite these smartphone-like attributes, uncertainty remains regarding whether the P6 Pro should be seen as a full-fledged phone replacement similar to the Bigme Hibreak Pro, another E Ink-based device that merges reading and communication functionalities. The inclusion of a SIM card slot and mobile data connectivity indicates that apps requiring constant network access—such as WhatsApp, Zoom, or various cloud-synced note-taking tools—should work seamlessly even when Wi-Fi is unavailable. Yet, Boox’s official teasers have not clarified whether the P6 Pro will support standard telephony functions like voice calls or SMS messaging. This ambiguity leaves room for speculation: it could be designed primarily for data-driven communications rather than traditional cellular use.

Based on early impressions and our limited time with the color edition at IFA 2025, the device’s screen seems to exhibit the restrained but gentle color reproduction typical of E Ink’s Kaleido 3 technology, the same display type used in readers such as the Kobo Libra Colour. If this assumption holds true, the P6 Pro will likely offer a color depth capped at 4,096 hues—a limitation inherent to the Kaleido 3 system. Consequently, monochrome visuals like text will appear with a crisp 300 pixels per inch (ppi) resolution, while color content will be displayed at around 150 ppi, reflecting the inherent compromise between sharpness and palette range that defines the technology. Still, Boox counterbalances these constraints with adaptability: both color and monochrome versions will integrate an adjustable front light equipped with color temperature control and an ambient light sensor, ensuring consistent readability across various lighting conditions.

Perhaps one of the most compelling advancements introduced with the P6 Pro is its stylus compatibility. For the first time, Boox is extending this pen-supported functionality to its more compact, smartphone-format devices. The feature will complement the company’s already well-regarded lineup of larger e-readers and digital notebooks, which have long supported handwriting, sketching, and annotation. However, it remains to be seen whether the writing responsiveness and note-taking fluidity will rival those of competitors like the similarly sized Remarkable Paper Pro Move, known for its natural, paper-like interaction. Much of this performance will depend on the processor Boox has chosen—details that are, for now, undisclosed. Nonetheless, one area where the P6 Pro already promises a clear advantage is software flexibility. Running a full version of the Android operating system, complete with unrestricted access to the Google Play Store, it provides users with the freedom to install a broad range of applications. This means note-takers can choose from countless productivity tools, while readers can source ebooks from the platforms of their choice, unhindered by proprietary ecosystems. Altogether, Boox’s P6 Pro represents a thoughtful evolution of the e-reader format—an ambitious effort to merge compact portability, creative functionality, and network independence into a single, versatile device.

Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/794751/onyx-boox-p6-pro-e-ink-reader-smartphone-color-palma