The Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a compelling addition to the e-reader market, boasting a 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen, a powerful processor, and an array of handy features. It’s aimed at those who value a comfortable reading experience, enjoy the ability to take notes and annotate, and appreciate a device that seamlessly transitions between reading, note-taking, and light productivity tasks. In this review, we’ll delve into the Poke 3’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring its design, performance, software, and overall user experience.
One of the key features of the Poke 3 is its large and sharp E Ink display. It provides excellent contrast and readability, even in bright sunlight. This makes it ideal for extended reading sessions, minimizing eye strain compared to traditional backlit screens. The Poke 3 also supports a variety of file formats, allowing you to read e-books, PDFs, and even comics without needing to convert them.
In terms of performance, the Poke 3 is powered by a 1.8 GHz processor, enabling quick page turns and smooth navigation. It also features 2GB of RAM, ensuring that you can switch between apps without experiencing lag. While the Poke 3 is primarily designed for reading, it also has a built-in stylus, allowing you to take handwritten notes and highlight passages in your favorite e-books. This functionality, coupled with its robust note-taking app, makes it a versatile device for students, professionals, and anyone who enjoys jotting down ideas.
The Poke 3’s design is sleek and modern, with a lightweight and comfortable grip. It comes with a protective case that adds a layer of security and complements its overall aesthetic appeal. While the Poke 3 lacks features like Bluetooth and a front light, its focus on core functionality and its impressive reading experience make it a compelling option for those seeking a dedicated e-reader for both pleasure and productivity.
| Name: | Onyx Boox Poke 3 |
| Image: |  |
| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.1 out of 5 stars |
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Onyx Boox Poke 3: A Closer Look
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a compact and lightweight e-reader designed for portability and ease of use. It features a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1250 display with a resolution of 1072 x 1448 pixels, offering crisp and clear text. The device measures 147.2 x 95.5 x 8.1 mm and weighs just 145 grams, making it incredibly comfortable to hold for extended reading sessions. The Poke 3 is built with a durable plastic frame, ensuring its resilience against everyday wear and tear. The front bezel is slim and unobtrusive, maximizing the screen real estate. The device comes with a physical page-turning button on the right side, providing a tactile and responsive control method. It also supports both touch input and a dedicated stylus for note-taking and annotation purposes.
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On the top edge, you’ll find a power button, a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and a microSD card slot for expanding storage. The Poke 3 boasts an impressive 16GB of internal storage, sufficient for a vast digital library. Onyx Boox has taken a minimalistic approach to the design, opting for a clean and functional aesthetic that prioritizes the reading experience. The Poke 3 comes in two color options: black and white, allowing you to choose the color that best suits your style.
Design and Build Quality
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a sleek and compact e-reader that feels good in hand. It’s built with a sturdy plastic frame that’s surprisingly durable, considering its lightweight nature. The front is dominated by a flush-mounted display, with a subtle bezel running around the edges. This design not only gives it a modern look but also helps prevent accidental touches while reading. The power button and volume rocker are located on the top of the device, offering easy access with one hand. The bottom houses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. While the overall design feels familiar to previous Poke models, the Poke 3 boasts a more refined and streamlined aesthetic.
The back of the device features a textured finish that provides a secure grip, preventing it from slipping out of your hands. Although it’s not waterproof, the Poke 3 is designed to be reasonably resistant to splashes and light rain. This makes it suitable for reading in a variety of environments, from your cozy armchair to a sunny park bench. Overall, the build quality of the Poke 3 is solid. It feels well-constructed and should hold up well to everyday use. The combination of lightweight design and sturdy build makes it an excellent option for readers who appreciate a portable and reliable e-reader.
Display and Reading Experience
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 boasts a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1200 display with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels and a pixel density of 300 PPI. This translates to a crisp, sharp text display that is easy on the eyes. The warm light feature allows you to adjust the color temperature of the screen to mimic natural sunlight, which is great for reducing eye strain during long reading sessions. The refresh rate is a bit slow at 100 Hz, which can lead to some ghosting when turning pages, but it is still manageable and shouldn’t be a major issue for most users.
The Poke 3’s display is also quite responsive to touch input, making it easy to navigate menus and select text. However, the lack of front light means you’ll need an external light source for reading in low-light conditions. The screen is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass, which provides some protection against scratches and bumps, but a case is still recommended for added protection.
Overall, the Onyx Boox Poke 3‘s display is a big win for readers who prefer a comfortable and natural reading experience. It offers excellent text clarity, a wide range of brightness levels, and a responsive touch interface. While the lack of a front light and the slow refresh rate might be a drawback for some, the display quality is still top-notch.
Performance and Battery Life
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 is powered by a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM, which is more than enough to handle the tasks you’ll be using it for. It can handle web browsing, reading PDFs, and even some light gaming. The Poke 3 is also very responsive, with quick page turns and minimal lag. You won’t be waiting long for anything to load.
Battery life is another strong point of the Poke 3. Onyx claims up to 30 days of standby time, and I found this to be accurate in my testing. I was able to use the device for several hours each day for a week without having to charge it. The device also charges relatively quickly, so you won’t have to wait long if you do need to top it up.
Overall, the Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a great e-reader for those looking for a device with good performance and battery life. It’s not the most powerful e-reader on the market, but it’s more than capable of handling everything you’ll throw at it.
Software and Features
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 runs on a customized version of Android, offering a wide range of features and customization options. At its core is the Boox OS, which is designed specifically for reading and note-taking. It features a clean and intuitive interface with easy navigation, making it simple to access your books, notes, and settings.
One of the standout features of the Poke 3 is its support for multiple file formats. You can read ebooks in formats like EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more. The device also allows you to import and annotate documents, making it a versatile tool for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to work with digital content.
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The Poke 3 features a built-in dictionary, allowing you to look up words and phrases directly within the reading app. This is particularly useful for language learners or anyone who wants to expand their vocabulary.
Beyond reading, the Poke 3 also offers several note-taking options. You can use the built-in note-taking app to create handwritten notes, draw diagrams, or highlight text in ebooks. The device supports multiple pen pressure levels, making it possible to create detailed and expressive notes.
The Poke 3 also allows you to connect to Wi-Fi and download content directly from online stores. You can access libraries like Google Play Books and Kobo Store to expand your reading library.
With its versatile features, the Onyx Boox Poke 3 is more than just a simple e-reader. It’s a powerful tool that can enhance your reading and note-taking experience, offering a wide range of customization options to suit your individual needs.
Pros and Cons
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 boasts a compelling combination of features for avid readers. Its compact size and lightweight design make it highly portable, perfect for taking on the go. The E Ink Carta 1200 display offers excellent contrast and sharp text, providing a comfortable reading experience even under direct sunlight. The Poke 3 comes equipped with a powerful processor and ample storage, ensuring smooth performance and ample room for your digital library. Additionally, the inclusion of Bluetooth allows you to listen to audiobooks or connect wirelessly to external speakers.
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The Poke 3 lacks a front light, which can be limiting for reading in low-light conditions. While the device offers a satisfactory reading experience, its screen refresh rate is relatively slow, potentially leading to ghosting when flipping pages rapidly. Furthermore, the lack of water resistance may be a concern for users who frequently read outdoors or in humid environments. The Poke 3 also lacks a physical page-turn button, which some readers might find inconvenient.
Comparison to Other E-Readers
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 competes with other e-readers in the 6-inch market, offering a unique blend of features. Let’s compare it to some popular contenders:
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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen): The Kindle Paperwhite is the most direct competitor. It’s cheaper, but lacks the Poke 3’s advanced features like note-taking and the ability to read PDFs. The Kindle Paperwhite boasts excellent water resistance, a larger library, and a more intuitive interface. However, if you need note-taking and PDF support, the Poke 3 is a better choice.
Kobo Libra 2: The Kobo Libra 2 offers a similar reading experience and supports both epub and PDF formats. Like the Poke 3, it comes with a built-in light and adjustable warm lighting. The Kobo Libra 2 has a slightly larger screen and a more user-friendly interface for navigating ebooks. However, the Poke 3 edges out with its superior note-taking features and a faster processor.
PocketBook InkPad Lite: This e-reader features a larger 7.8-inch screen, making it more suitable for reading comics and magazines. While it offers note-taking capabilities, its performance and software are not as refined as the Poke 3.
Sony Reader Digital Paper: If you’re serious about note-taking, Sony’s Digital Paper is a strong contender. It offers a more advanced note-taking experience, but it’s significantly more expensive than the Poke 3.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. The Poke 3 stands out with its versatile features and powerful performance, making it an excellent option for readers who want a powerful and versatile e-reader.
Conclusion and Verdict
The Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a solid e-reader that offers a comfortable reading experience, a decent display, and a long battery life. It’s a great option for those who want an e-reader that’s both affordable and feature-rich. However, it’s not without its flaws. The performance can be a little sluggish at times, and the software could use some improvements. Overall, the Poke 3 is a good value for the price, but it’s not the best e-reader on the market.
If you’re looking for an e-reader that’s specifically for reading books and nothing else, then the Poke 3 is a good option. However, if you’re looking for an e-reader that can also handle more demanding tasks, like browsing the web or reading PDF documents, then you might want to consider another option.
For those who prioritize a pure reading experience, the Poke 3 delivers. It’s comfortable to hold and use, and the display is excellent for reading long passages. The long battery life means you can enjoy extended reading sessions without worrying about needing to charge. While the performance isn’t top-notch, it’s still more than adequate for basic reading tasks. And with the affordability factor, the Poke 3 makes a compelling case for itself.
However, if you are seeking an e-reader that can double as a multi-purpose device, you might find the Poke 3 lacking in some areas. The sluggish performance can be a frustration when navigating menus or opening applications. Additionally, the software could be more intuitive and feature-rich.
Ultimately, the Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a solid e-reader that caters to those who seek a simple and affordable reading experience. If you value these qualities above all else, then the Poke 3 is a great choice. However, if you are seeking a more robust and versatile e-reader, then you may want to explore other options.
In conclusion, the Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a solid e-reader for those seeking a compact and lightweight device with a comfortable reading experience. Its 6-inch E Ink Carta display delivers crisp text and excellent contrast, making it ideal for extended reading sessions. While its limited storage and lack of waterproofing might be a drawback for some, its affordability and impressive battery life make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious readers.
The Poke 3’s small size makes it incredibly portable, perfect for slipping into a pocket or bag for on-the-go reading. Its lightweight design ensures comfortable reading for extended periods, minimizing hand fatigue. The intuitive interface and responsive touch screen allow for seamless navigation and effortless page turning. Moreover, the inclusion of a microSD card slot offers ample storage for expanding your digital library.
Despite its strengths, the Poke 3 does have some limitations. The 8GB of internal storage might not be enough for avid readers with extensive digital libraries. Additionally, the absence of waterproofing limits its use in challenging environments. However, these drawbacks are mitigated by its affordable price and remarkable battery life, which can last for weeks on a single charge.
Overall, the Onyx Boox Poke 3 is a compelling e-reader that offers a comfortable reading experience in a compact and lightweight package. While its limited storage and lack of waterproofing might be drawbacks for some, its affordability and exceptional battery life make it an attractive option for budget-conscious readers seeking a reliable and portable device.
Karim 
Bilal