Boox Note Air 3 C Review: The Ultimate Color E-Ink Tablet?

The Boox Note Air 3 C stands out in the e-ink tablet landscape, showcasing a top-notch color display and extraordinary battery longevity. Priced at $499, is it truly a wise purchase? Let’s explore the features, advantages, and drawbacks of this device to evaluate its worth.

A Distinct Fusion of E-Reader and Tablet

The Boox Note Air 3 C is marketed as a combination of an e-book reader and a standard tablet. While it provides some tablet-like functions, its standout feature is the 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 Carta 1200 glass ePaper display. This screen aims to emulate the look of real paper while adding color, a rarity in the e-ink market.

High-Resolution Display with Compromises

The display features a resolution of 2,480 by 1,860 pixels (300ppi) for black-and-white visuals. However, when it comes to color, the resolution decreases to 1,240 by 930 pixels (150ppi). Although this reduction can be evident, particularly versus high-res LCD or OLED screens akin to those on an iPad, it remains one of the leading color e-ink implementations available today.

Stylus Compatibility and Writing Experience

The Boox Note Air 3 C comes with a touch-responsive display compatible with both finger input and the Boox Stylus Touch. This stylus offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, making it ideal for jotting down notes and sketching. A significant perk is that the stylus doesn’t require charging, similar to Amazon’s Kindle Scribe stylus.

Performance and Hardware

Power and Storage

Beneath the surface, the Boox Note Air 3 C is driven by a 2.4 GHz Octa-core processor, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. While 64GB is adequate for text-based e-books, users intending to store graphic-laden PDFs or comics might find it insufficient. Fortunately, the device features a microSD card slot that accommodates up to 512GB of extra storage.

Secure and Easy Unlocking

The power button also functions as a fingerprint scanner, providing a secure and simple unlocking method. While the initial setup for fingerprint recognition can be somewhat tricky, once established, the feature performs consistently.

Connectivity and Audio Limitations

The Boox Note Air 3 C supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connections. It additionally includes a USB-C port offering audio output, a built-in microphone, and a pair of speakers. However, the audio quality of the speakers and microphone is subpar, making them largely ineffective for media playback or voice recordings. For better audio experiences, it’s advisable to use headphones or earbuds.

Outstanding Battery Longevity

A notable feature of the Boox Note Air 3 C is its 3,700mAh battery, enabling weeks of use on a single charge. During testing, the device required charging only once a week, even with daily operation. This is a significant advantage over conventional tablets, which usually need frequent charging.

Software and User Experience

Android 12 with Boox Modifications

The Boox Note Air 3 C operates on a modified version of Android 12, which, while functional, is beginning to appear dated. While concerns about security updates may arise in the next few years, Boox has committed to three years of software support.

App Compatibility and Google Play Store Access

In contrast to Amazon’s Kindle devices, the Boox Note Air 3 C permits users to install apps from the Google Play Store. This grants access to a plethora of options, ranging from third-party reading apps to productivity applications. However, navigating Android on an e-ink screen may be less fluid than on traditional tablets.

File Format Support

The Boox Note Air 3 C accommodates a broad array of file formats, rendering it one of the most adaptable e-readers on the market. Supported formats include:

• PDF, DJVU, CBR, CBZ (Ideal for comics and scanned materials)
• EPUB, AZW3, MOBI, TXT (Popular e-book formats)
• DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML (Document files)
• ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX (Compressed and presentation files)

Is It a Justifiable Investment?

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Remarkable battery life – Can last for weeks on a single charge.
• Excellent screen lighting adjustment – Ideal for reading under varying light conditions.
• Perfect for larger format reading – Great for PDFs, comics, and textbooks.

Cons:

• Premium price – At $499, it competes against more powerful tablets.
• Aging Android 12 – Future security updates may become a concern.
• Inferior speaker and microphone performance – Lacking capabilities for media and calls.

It’s Not an iPad Substitute, and That’s Acceptable

Some have likened the Boox Note Air 3 C to an iPad, which isn’t a suitable comparison. While Apple’s tablets offer superior processing power, the Boox Note Air 3 C excels in aspects where traditional tablets fall short—particularly eye comfort, battery longevity, and the reading experience. If your goal is a specialized device for reading and note-taking with color functionality, this is among the best options available.

Final Thoughts

The Boox Note Air 3 C serves as a niche device that provides an outstanding reading and note-taking experience through color e-ink technology. Despite having certain drawbacks—like an outdated Android OS and lackluster audio quality—it stands as one of the premier e-ink tablets currently on the market. If you prioritize extended battery life, eye-friendly reading, and stylus flexibility, this tablet is worth your consideration. However, if you require a full-fledged tablet for media consumption and high-performance tasks, opting for an iPad or Android tablet may be more suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can the Boox Note Air 3 C replace an iPad?

No, the Boox Note Air 3 C is primarily intended for reading and note-taking, whereas an iPad is a comprehensive tablet with a high-resolution LCD/OLED screen and significantly better performance.

2. How does the Boox Note Air 3 C stack up against Kindle devices?

The Boox Note Air 3 C provides greater flexibility than Kindle devices, including access to Google Play apps, a color e-ink display, and expandable storage. However, Amazon Kindles often feature better integration with the Kindle store and are generally offered at lower prices.

3. Does the Boox Note Air 3 C support audiobooks?

Yes, it does, but the built-in speakers are of low quality. You will need to use headphones or earbuds to enhance your listening experience.

4. Can I utilize a microSD card to increase storage?

Yes, the Boox Note Air 3 C supports microSD cards up to 512GB, allowing you to keep a large library of books and documents.

5. Is the stylus included with the device?

Yes, the Boox Stylus Touch comes included, and it does not require charging.

6. Does the Boox Note Air 3 C feature blue light reduction?

Yes, the screen lighting can be adjusted to minimize blue light exposure, ensuring comfort during long reading sessions.

7. Where can I purchase the Boox Note Air 3 C?

The Boox Note Air 3 C is available directly from Boox for $499.

By reflecting on these crucial aspects, you can ascertain whether the Boox Note Air 3 C is the right e-ink tablet for your preferences.