For years, Onyx has been at the forefront of the E-ink industry, consistently delivering top-tier devices. The new Onyx Boox Note Air 4c continues this legacy, setting a new benchmark for what a color e-paper tablet can be.
This device is a joy to use. With its vibrant color display and user-friendly Android interface, the Note Air 4c has quickly become an essential part of my daily routine, seamlessly integrating with my Google and Play Store accounts as an all-around e-reader tablet.
Design and Build
The Note Air 4c sports a sleek, modern design with a sturdy aluminum frame. The “big bezel,” as some call it, is a brilliant and intentional feature, providing a comfortable grip without obscuring the screen. At just 5.8mm thick and weighing 430 grams, it’s incredibly portable, making it an ideal companion for work, study, or leisure.
The magnetic back allows for effortless attachment to the included folio case, which also features a convenient pen holder. I’m just going to say it, I’m not a huge fan of this case. I like the magnetic design, but it offers no drop protection and the flap to hold the pen and cover closed is flimsy at best. You can snag several other options with better protection and more sturdy pen storage from Amazon for under $30, and I highly recommend it.
Display Refinement
The centerpiece of the Boox Note Air 4c is its 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 color E Ink screen. With a black and white resolution of 2480×1860 and a color resolution of 1240×930, the display is sharp and clear. The improved front light technology ensures an even and pleasant viewing experience in any lighting condition. The new Kaleido 3 screen offers richer colors and deeper saturation, making it perfect for everything from reading comics and magazines to annotating documents.
I think the new Boox Super Refresh is a welcome addition to the Note Air 4c as well. I have found that I see less ghosting than the previous generations. Transitions look smoother from page to page. I don’t recall ever having to initiate a manual screen refresh while using this sample unit, and that’s a regular occurrence on other E-ink displays.
The real game-changer is the flexibility of having the full Google Play Store. Jumping from the Kindle app, to Play Books, and then to Libby for my library books is seamless, creating an all-around e-reader tablet that you just don’t get with other devices. The Kaleido 3 E-ink display is also top-tier; with the new super refresh technology eliminating ghosting, it’s incredibly pleasant to view for hours on end.
Performance and Software
Running on a customized version of Android 13, the Note Air 4c offers a versatile and intuitive user experience. It’s powered by an octa-core processor plus BSR (Boox Super Refresh), complemented by the improved 6GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance whether you’re multitasking or running demanding applications. The device comes with 64GB of storage and supports a wide array of file formats, making it a true workhorse.
The pre-installed NeoReader app is a standout feature, providing extensive customization options for an optimized reading experience. You can adjust everything from font size and style to contrast and layout, tailoring the device to your exact preferences.
Where Boox has always excelled is the flexibility of the operating system. Have full access to the Google Play Store adds a layer of availability to all types of content you don’t see on other e-reader tablets like the Kindle or ReMarkable. Jumping from the Kindle app to Play Books and then to even Libby to read rentals from my library is seamless on a single device.
Battery Life for Days
Using the E-ink technology makes for a tablet that can last weeks. I’ve had this unit well over a month now, and I’ve charged it once. It would take considerable days of long hours of usage to tax this thing in under a week. Using it to read, take down a few notes, or catch up on your favorite comics, should give you similar results while using the Note Air 4C.
When you do need to recharge, you have the trusting USB-C standard available. This makes charging the Boox Note Air 4c a breeze. Not proprietary cable needed. Just grab the closet phone or tablet charger you already own, or the one included in the box.
The Pen Experience
The included stylus, the Pen Plus, is a remarkable tool. It attaches magnetically to the tablet and offers a natural, paper-like writing experience with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The updated firmware has significantly improved palm rejection, making note-taking more seamless than ever.
The Wacom layer on the screen ensures precision and responsiveness, making the Note Air 4c an excellent choice for digital artists and avid note-takers alike. I’m not a huge digital notes guy, but I have found myself using it more and more on the Note 4c. That lends to how well it performs in that area.
Final Thoughts
The Onyx Boox Note Air 4c is more than just an e-reader; it’s a powerful and versatile E Ink tablet that excels in every category. From its stunning color display and elegant design to its robust performance and exceptional writing experience, this device is a game-changer.
While the $510 price tag may seem steep, the features and functionality of the Note Air 4c justify the investment. If you’re looking for a premium E-ink device that can handle all your reading, writing, and productivity needs, the Onyx Boox Note Air 4c is, without a doubt, the tablet to get.
Purchase the Boox Note Air 4c now at Boox.com
