Boox features stylus support in its latest Android tablets that come with a paper-like display.

      In recent years, Boox has positioned itself as one of the most ambitious brands in a market dominated by Amazon's Kindles. The brand creates both monochrome and color E Ink devices in various formats, ranging from phone-like models like the Palma to compact tablets, as well as ambient-lit slates and monitors.

      The newest offerings from Boox are the Go 7 and the second-generation Go Color 7 tablets. Their primary appeal lies in stylus support, enabling them to function as digital diaries built on Android. Accompanying this pen support is the impressive Notes app, which comes packed with features including pre-made and customizable templates, various brush options, handwriting recognition, and more.

      What’s available?

      Boox has retained the essential design of the original Color Go 7, but this time it introduces a new variant featuring a black-and-white panel. This attractive tablet measures just 6.4mm in thickness, weighs under 200 grams, and includes physical page-turn buttons, all paired with a square 7-inch display.

      Additionally, an overlooked advantage is the dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion found in both the Go 7 and the second-generation Go Color 7 e-readers. Both models offer adjustable front lighting, but users have the option to turn it off completely and utilize ambient light for reading.

      For visual enjoyment, both tablets feature a relatively sharp display with a pixel density of 300 PPI. The next-gen Color Go 7 is equipped with an E Ink Kaleido 3 screen capable of displaying 4,096 colors, while the standard Go 7 uses an E Ink Carta 1300 panel.

      The latter offers a monochrome experience, but in combination with the front light, it can produce content against a warm backlight for a more comfortable reading experience. This panel provides a paper-like viewing experience, similar to that of the Boox Palma and the sunlit Onyx Boox Go 10.3 tablet.

      Key features to note

      Boox boasts the most extensive range of display customization options I've encountered on an e-reader, including adjustments for refresh rate, detailed color controls, layout formatting, and an effective built-in OCR system. The software allows for a high level of customization and quick access to controls, and notably, it operates on a full Android platform with Google Play Store support.

      I extensively utilized the first-generation Boox Go Color 7 as a companion device, using it as a secondary screen to monitor workplace chats, listen to podcasts, read books, and accumulate a vast collection of comics. Since acquiring it, I have not returned to using the Kindle or any reMarkable devices.

      The base Go 7 is available in white and black, featuring a water-repellent construction and an attractive textured finish on the rear. In contrast, the Color Go 7 will be offered in a single variation with a navy blue-inspired color on its polycarbonate casing.

      Boox has announced that the Go 7 tablet is now available for purchase at a price of $219.99 for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage model. Meanwhile, the Color Go 7 is expected to be released “soon” without a current price specified.