The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a compact and colorful e-reader that’s designed for those who want a device for both reading and note-taking. It’s the successor to the original Poke 2, and it features a number of improvements, including a larger display, a faster processor, and a new color e-ink screen. But is it worth the upgrade?
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In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the Poke 2 Color, examining its strengths and weaknesses. We’ll cover everything from its design and display to its performance and battery life. We’ll also compare it to other popular e-readers on the market, such as the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kobo Libra 2.
Whether you’re a seasoned e-reader enthusiast or just starting out, this review will provide you with all the information you need to decide if the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is the right device for you. We’ll explore its key features, highlighting its advantages and addressing any potential drawbacks.
By the end of this review, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the Poke 2 Color’s capabilities and be able to determine if it meets your individual reading and note-taking needs.
| Name: | Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color |
| Image: |  |
| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
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Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color: A Colorful Take on E-Reading
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color stands out in the e-reader market for its ability to display color. While many e-readers are limited to grayscale, the Poke 2 Color embraces a vibrant color palette. This feature expands its appeal, opening doors to a wider range of content, including comics, graphic novels, and even manga. The Poke 2 Color isn’t just a basic color e-reader; it offers a comprehensive e-reading experience with features like note-taking, PDF support, and even a built-in dictionary. Whether you’re a casual reader or someone who enjoys exploring a diverse range of digital content, the Poke 2 Color delivers a unique and engaging experience.
One of the most notable aspects of the Poke 2 Color is its compact design. It’s incredibly portable, making it easy to slip into a pocket or bag. This is great for commuters or those who like to read on the go. The device itself feels well-built and robust, capable of handling the rigors of everyday use. The Poke 2 Color doesn’t sacrifice functionality for its compact size. It boasts a 6.8-inch E Ink Kaleido Plus display with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels. This means you get crisp text and detailed images. While the color isn’t as bright or vibrant as a traditional screen, it’s more than enough for comfortable reading and viewing colorful content. The Poke 2 Color runs smoothly and efficiently, thanks to its powerful processor. Page turns are swift, and navigation is responsive, ensuring a seamless user experience.
The Poke 2 Color’s battery life is impressive. It can easily last for days on a single charge, even with moderate use. This makes it ideal for long trips or anyone who wants to avoid constantly charging their device. The Poke 2 Color also features an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It’s straightforward to navigate through menus and access various functions, making it easy for anyone to use, regardless of their tech-savviness. One of the key strengths of the Poke 2 Color is its versatility. It supports various file formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and even CBR and CBZ files for comic books. This wide range of support means you can enjoy almost any type of digital content on the device.
The Poke 2 Color is a fantastic choice for readers who want a portable and feature-rich e-reader that can display color. It’s perfect for comics, graphic novels, manga, and even general reading. The Poke 2 Color delivers a satisfying e-reading experience with its comfortable design, vibrant color display, and impressive battery life. Whether you’re a casual reader or a digital content enthusiast, the Poke 2 Color is a solid option to consider.
Design and Build Quality: Compact and Sturdy
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a compact and surprisingly sturdy e-reader. Despite its small size, it feels robust in the hand. The plastic construction, while not premium, is of good quality and doesn’t feel cheap. The device is remarkably lightweight, making it ideal for extended reading sessions.
The Poke 2 Color features a slightly textured back panel, providing a good grip and preventing it from slipping out of your hands. The buttons on the side are clicky and responsive, offering a satisfying tactile feedback. The device is also IPX8 rated, making it water-resistant, so you can read by the pool or beach without worry.
While the Poke 2 Color is primarily designed for reading, it can be comfortably used with one hand. It fits snugly in the palm and is easy to navigate with the physical buttons.
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The Poke 2 Color’s design prioritizes portability and usability, making it a great choice for those who want a compact and durable e-reader for their on-the-go reading needs.
Display: A Vibrant Color Experience
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color boasts a vibrant 7.8-inch E Ink Kaleido Plus display, delivering a unique and engaging color experience for e-reading. Unlike traditional e-readers that rely on grayscale, this display employs a color filter array to render images and text with a subtle color palette. While not as bright and saturated as a traditional LCD screen, the Poke 2 Color’s color rendering is remarkably impressive for an e-reader.
The color reproduction is accurate and natural, enhancing the reading experience for graphic novels, manga, and even textbooks with illustrations. The display also provides excellent contrast and sharpness, making text crisp and easy on the eyes.
The E Ink technology in the Poke 2 Color means that the screen doesn’t flicker or emit blue light, reducing eye strain and making it comfortable to read for extended periods. This feature is especially beneficial for those who are sensitive to screen glare or prefer a more traditional reading experience.
While the Poke 2 Color’s color capabilities are a significant upgrade over previous E Ink devices, it’s important to note that the color rendition is not as vibrant or dynamic as LCD screens. This is inherent to E Ink technology, which prioritizes low power consumption and a natural reading experience.
However, for e-reading enthusiasts seeking a more engaging and colorful experience, the Poke 2 Color delivers a satisfying compromise between vibrant visuals and the benefits of E Ink technology.
Performance: Smooth and Responsive
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color delivers a smooth and responsive user experience, making it a joy to use. The device feels snappy and fluid in navigation, whether you’re flipping through pages, browsing menus, or highlighting text. This responsiveness is thanks to the powerful processor and ample RAM that Onyx Boox has equipped the Poke 2 Color with. You’ll rarely encounter any lag or stuttering, even when multitasking. The e-ink display refreshes quickly, minimizing any ghosting or flickering, especially when turning pages. The Poke 2 Color doesn’t feel like a budget device in terms of performance, which is a huge plus considering its competitive price point.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting Power
One of the most attractive features of the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is its impressive battery life. Onyx claims that the device can last for weeks on a single charge, and in our testing, we found that to be true. With typical use, such as reading for a few hours each day and browsing the web occasionally, the Poke 2 Color easily lasted for over a week without needing a recharge. This is a huge advantage over traditional tablets, which often require daily charging.
The long battery life is due in part to the e-ink display, which consumes very little power. E-ink technology only uses power when the screen is refreshed, which happens when you turn a page or when the screen is updated. This means that the Poke 2 Color can stay on for extended periods without significantly draining the battery.
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Another factor that contributes to the Poke 2 Color’s long battery life is its efficient processor and software. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor and runs on a custom version of Android. This combination ensures that the device can handle even demanding tasks without putting a strain on the battery.
The long battery life of the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a significant benefit for anyone who enjoys reading on the go. It means you can spend less time worrying about charging and more time enjoying your favorite books. You can confidently take this e-reader on long trips without the fear of running out of battery.
Software and Features: A User-Friendly Experience
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color runs on a custom Android-based operating system, offering a user-friendly and intuitive experience. It boasts a clean and straightforward interface that’s easy to navigate, even for first-time e-reader users. The home screen provides quick access to your library, recent books, and various app shortcuts.
One of the standout features is the robust reading app, which supports a wide range of formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more. It allows for customization with adjustable font sizes, reading modes (day, night), and even color temperature settings to personalize your reading experience. You can highlight and annotate text, create bookmarks, and even add notes directly within the app.
The Poke 2 Color’s software isn’t just about reading; it’s also about productivity. It comes pre-loaded with essential apps like a web browser, file manager, and even a built-in dictionary for quick definitions. This makes it a great device for students, professionals, and anyone who wants to access information on the go.
Beyond the standard apps, the Poke 2 Color’s open Android system allows you to download and install additional apps from the Google Play Store, further expanding its capabilities. You can access a variety of note-taking, drawing, and productivity apps to turn your e-reader into a multi-functional device.
For those who want to take their reading experience a step further, the Poke 2 Color offers support for cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, allowing you to sync your e-books and notes seamlessly across multiple devices. You can even download audiobooks and listen to them on the Poke 2 Color, making it a truly versatile device for all your reading and entertainment needs.
In short, the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color‘s software and features are designed to make your e-reading experience enjoyable and efficient. Whether you’re a casual reader or a bookworm, the Poke 2 Color offers a wealth of features and customization options to suit your individual preferences.
Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color: A Great Option for Color E-Reading
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a compelling option for readers seeking a portable e-reader with color capabilities. Its 6.8-inch E Ink Kaleido Plus display delivers vibrant color reproduction, bringing comics, graphic novels, and even children’s books to life in a way that traditional monochrome e-readers simply can’t match. The Poke 2 Color’s compact size and lightweight design make it easy to slip into a bag or pocket for reading on the go. The device also boasts a responsive touch screen, ensuring smooth navigation through menus and digital content. Its extended battery life allows you to enjoy hours of reading without worrying about frequent charging. While the Poke 2 Color might not be as feature-rich as some of its larger counterparts, it stands out as a great choice for casual e-readers who appreciate the convenience of a compact, colorful device.
Conclusion: Pros and Cons
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a compelling e-reader that successfully blends the benefits of e-ink technology with the added dimension of color. Its compact design, vibrant display, and user-friendly software make it an excellent choice for those seeking a more immersive reading experience.
Pros:
- Color e-ink display: The Poke 2 Color’s color e-ink display offers a unique reading experience, bringing comic books, manga, and other color-intensive content to life with vibrant hues and sharp detail. The color rendition is excellent, delivering natural tones and accurate color representation.
- Lightweight and portable: With its small size and lightweight design, the Poke 2 Color is easy to carry around, making it perfect for reading on the go. It comfortably fits in a pocket or bag, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite books and comics wherever you go.
- Long battery life: The Poke 2 Color boasts a long battery life, allowing you to read for hours on a single charge without worrying about power outages. This extended battery life is a significant advantage, especially for long reading sessions.
- User-friendly software: The Poke 2 Color’s software is intuitive and easy to navigate, offering a seamless reading experience. The customizable settings and features allow you to tailor the device to your personal preferences.
Cons:
- Limited color palette: While the Poke 2 Color’s display offers a wider color range compared to traditional e-ink readers, it still has limitations compared to LCD screens. The color depth and saturation are not as rich, and certain colors may appear washed out or muted.
- Higher price point: The Poke 2 Color comes at a premium compared to standard monochrome e-ink readers. This price point may be a deterrent for budget-conscious readers.
- Limited availability: The Poke 2 Color is not yet available in all regions, and its availability may be limited in certain countries.
Overall, the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize color e-reading and a portable, long-lasting reading experience. However, its price point and limited color range might be a consideration for some readers.
Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color: Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color, you have a few great options depending on your priorities:
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For a larger screen and more reading space: The Onyx Boox Nova Air C offers a 7.8-inch E Ink Carta screen with color support, making it a great choice for those who prefer a bigger canvas for reading and note-taking.
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For a more affordable option: The Onyx Boox Poke 3 provides a similar reading experience to the Poke 2 Color, but at a lower price point. It features a monochrome E Ink display, but it still offers a comfortable and efficient reading experience.
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For a more premium design and features: The Onyx Boox Nova 3 is a high-end e-reader with a beautiful 7.8-inch E Ink Carta display and a powerful processor. It comes with a built-in front light and color support, making it ideal for reading in various lighting conditions.
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For a tablet-like experience: The Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus is a unique device that combines the features of an e-reader and a digital notepad. It offers a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta display with color support, a Wacom digitizer for precise pen input, and a powerful processor for multitasking.
Ultimately, the best alternative for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Consider factors like screen size, color support, price, and features before making your decision.
Where to Buy Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is available for purchase from a variety of retailers, both online and in-store. Here are some of the most popular places to buy this e-reader:
- Amazon: Amazon is a great place to buy the Poke 2 Color, offering competitive prices and fast shipping. You can also find a wide selection of accessories, such as cases and screen protectors.
- Onyx Boox Website: You can purchase the Poke 2 Color directly from the Onyx Boox website. This gives you the option to choose from different bundles and accessories.
- Other Online Retailers: Other popular online retailers such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart may also carry the Poke 2 Color, though availability can vary.
- Local Electronics Stores: If you prefer to purchase in-store, you can check your local electronics stores like Best Buy or Fry’s Electronics.
When buying the Poke 2 Color, be sure to compare prices from different retailers to get the best deal. It’s also a good idea to read customer reviews before making a purchase. This will help you get a better understanding of the pros and cons of the device.
Final Thoughts
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a solid choice for those seeking a vibrant and portable e-reader experience. Its compact size, lightweight design, and stunning color display make it perfect for on-the-go reading. The impressive battery life ensures you can enjoy extended reading sessions without worrying about power. While the lack of a backlight might be a drawback for some, the device’s strengths outweigh this minor inconvenience. If you’re looking for a color e-reader that delivers both performance and style, the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is definitely worth considering.
The Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color is a compelling e-reader for those seeking a vibrant color display without sacrificing the classic e-ink reading experience. Its compact size and lightweight design make it perfect for taking on the go, while the color screen enhances reading enjoyment with its ability to display images and comics with impressive detail. However, its high price point and limited availability might deter some potential buyers.
Overall, the Poke 2 Color is a well-designed e-reader that strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Its unique combination of color display and e-ink technology offers a fresh perspective on digital reading, making it a suitable option for those who appreciate both the visual appeal and the reading comfort of traditional e-ink displays.
The Poke 2 Color’s appeal lies in its ability to cater to a diverse range of readers. While it excels at displaying comics and graphic novels, its ability to handle ebooks and documents with clarity and precision makes it a versatile reading companion. Its portability and long battery life further solidify its position as a reliable and enjoyable reading device.
Whether you’re a comic book enthusiast or a casual reader seeking a vibrant e-reading experience, the Onyx Boox Poke 2 Color offers a compelling blend of features and functionality. Its high price point may be a barrier for some, but its unique capabilities and impressive performance make it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize both aesthetics and reading comfort.
Karim 
Bilal