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Ebook readers rely on E Ink technology to create their distinctive paper-like screens and to ensure that their batteries survive for an exceptionally long time. E Ink is excellent for showing crisp text and illustrations, but it only comes in shades of gray and black and white. One of just a few electronic readers currently available with a full-color E Ink screen is the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C, which retails for $599. Additionally, it utilizes Google’s Android operating system as opposed to a company-specific one, is compatible with thousands of applications developed by third parties, and has access to almost any kind of content.
It is a great device (not to be confused with the great 2, which is a different ereader), and the capabilities it possesses help justify the price tag that comes along with it. However, you should have realistic expectations because the Tab Ultra C does not provide a tablet experience comparable to that of the iPad. Although color E Ink uses about the same amount of power as grayscale E Ink, it isn’t quite as vivid as energy-hungry LCDs and OLEDs and it doesn’t update nearly as quickly either.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C Specifications
Picture a Kindle rivaling in size to an A5 tablet. In addition to reading books, it also has all the other capabilities of an Android tablet, such as accessing the internet, using applications, and playing music.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.3-inch E Ink Carta HD display |
| Resolution | 1872 x 1404 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB (expandable up to 512GB with microSD) |
| Operating System | Android 11 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C |
| Battery | 4,300mAh |
| Front Camera | 5-megapixel |
| Rear Camera | 13-megapixel |
| Stylus Support | Wacom EMR stylus support |
| Weight | Approximately 450 grams |
| Dimensions | 237.3 x 180.5 x 7.7 mm |
| Additional Features | Dual speakers, fingerprint sensor, ambient light sensor |
| Link | Check Price |
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: Design and Build
The Boox Tab Ultra C is essentially the same tablet as the Boox Tab Ultra, except with a different color scheme. A comparable sturdy and opulent metal body, with no rounded corners, can be expected with this e-reader. The display is surrounded by pretty thick bezels, and one side is especially so that it can be held like a book.
The Boox Tab Ultra C has dual speakers, which is unusual for an e-reader, and they come in handy for listening to audiobooks, podcasts, YouTube videos, and even VoIP calls. A row of metal contacts down one side of the tablet connects to pogo pins on the keyboard case, which can be purchased separately. The supplied stylus is magnetically attached to the tablet, while the tablet itself is attached to the casing with powerful magnets.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: Display and Touchscreen
The Boox Tab Ultra C’s 4:3 E Ink display is what sets it apart from other Android tablets. In the E Ink layer, pigmented metal balls may be flipped to reveal either black or white, rather than using light to shine through colored pixels to form a picture. These are what give pixels their appearance, and they can remain in place indefinitely without consuming any additional energy.
This is how every e-reader’s display operates, albeit the Boox Tab Ultra C has a particularly sharp one, capable of displaying black-and-white content at a resolution of 2480 on 1860 pixels with a pixel density of 300. The new Kaleido 3 display used by the Boox Tab Ultra C differentiates it from the standard Boox Tab Ultra by superimposing a 1240 x 920 color LCD layer over the E Ink layer.
Storage and Wireless Connectivity
The Tab Ultra C has a generous 128 GB UFS 2.1 storage module, so you won’t have to worry about running out of room for your digital library. The gadget has a MicroSD card slot that can accommodate cards up to 1TB in capacity, making it ideal for customers who need extra space. Wireless communication via Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 may not be cutting edge, but it is more than adequate for the vast majority of useful endeavors. Since you probably won’t be streaming 4K HDR video on an E Ink panel, you can get by with Wi-Fi 5.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: Camera
The Tab Ultra C’s 16MP back camera allows it to scan and digitize paper documents. The camera’s strongest suit is its compatibility with Onyx’s OCR software, which makes it less than optimal for photography. With this function, there is no longer any need for paper backups because precise transcription, translation, and text reflow are all possible. Furthermore, with the bundled stylus, users can annotate scanned papers right away.
There is no flash and no picture stabilization. This necessitates taking pictures in well-lit areas or else the results will be fuzzy. For most picture taking, a smartphone camera is preferable. Yet, the device’s built-in camera is a welcome addition.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: Performance
The stereo speakers aren’t excellent, and there’s no way to plug in wired headphones, so that’s probably the biggest drawback. You can utilize Bluetooth, but it doesn’t make up for the lack of a physical volume rocker.
Second, this is not the screen on which you want to spend your free time watching videos. However, if you really must watch an informative video, it should suffice as long as you don’t require too much picture detail to understand what’s going on. Thirdly, it’s a little out of date because it runs Android 11, whereas Android 12 was introduced in 2021.
Despite this, using an Android device is often a positive experience. The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C had no trouble running any of my usual programs, from the Kindle to Spotify, unlike an Amazon Fire tablet, for example. The default browser is sufficient for most uses.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: Price and Availability
At least in the United States, Onyx is charging the same amount for its color and black and white Tab Ultra E Ink tablets. The Tab Ultra C is available in a “Standard bundle” that includes a magnetic case and a pen for $599.99 (€649.99, approximately £559), or AU$979 (plus shipping). The keyboard folio is available for a standalone price of $66.99/€715.99 (about £615), or as part of a bundle with other accessories. The Keyboard Cover set is not available in Australia, however the folio can be purchased there for AU$179.99.
Final Words
The Boox Tab Ultra C is not for everyone, much like many of Onyx’s other high-end e-readers, and this holds true for the device as well. A standard tablet is going to be more versatile and a lot cheaper, but it will still be able to perform a lot of things when used for common purposes. The Boox Tab Ultra C, on the other hand, has a lot to offer anyone who wants to spend less time staring at a bright screen or watching their battery drain at an unprecedented rate when exposed to sunlight. It truly is unrivaled in its field of expertise.
Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: The good and The bad
The craftsmanship is exquisite, and it feels wonderful to hold. It has a wonderful color e-ink display which is a plus.
The Good
- Colour e-ink display
- Doubles as Android tablet
The Bad
- Limited sound
Questions and Answers
Onyx Boox, which is written as “BOOX,” is a brand of e-book reader made in China by Onyx International Inc. Electronic paper technology is used in the Boox, just like in most other e-book players.
There is proof that there are a lot of copy versions of Onyx readers that are sold even on Amazon and do not get security updates. Do not buy the Onyx Boox from the site onyxboox.com. It looks like a Russian scam resale site.