Boox Leaf2 Black Review

In the realm of e-readers, the Onyx Boox Leaf2 Black Edition brings a potent blend of modernity, versatility, and style to the table. As a relatively fresh addition to the Boox line, the Leaf2 comes with a host of noteworthy features that have the potential to revolutionize the digital reading experience. This review will take a deep dive into the device, analyzing its various characteristics, merits, and areas of improvement.

Priced at £210, the Leaf2 sits comfortably within the mid-range segment of the e-reader market. The device delivers a great value proposition when considering its rich feature set and striking aesthetics.

Design & Build

The Black Edition of the Boox Leaf2 exudes a minimalist elegance. The device’s slim profile, measuring just 6mm in thickness, coupled with its relatively lightweight build at 185g, strikes a commendable balance between portability and robustness. Measuring 156mm x 137mm, the Leaf2 is easy to hold for extended periods, making it an ideal companion for avid readers. One point to note is its lack of waterproofing, a feature that some competitors offer(e.g. the Kindle Oasis, Kobo Clara 2E, and Pocketbook Era).

Display & Readability

The 7″ screen of the Leaf2 provides a satisfyingly immersive reading experience, irrespective of the content type, whether it be novels, comics, or academic papers. The flush screen enhances the sleekness of the device, providing a smooth and seamless touch experience. The 300ppi resolution delivers crisp, sharp text and detailed images, offering a reading experience akin to printed paper.

The frontlight and warm light features offer versatile reading conditions in various lighting environments, though the absence of auto-brightness means manual tweaking may be necessary depending on the light setting.

Operating System & Compatibility

An exciting aspect of the Leaf2 is its Android 11 operating system, which enables access to the Google Play Store. This vastly broadens the range of compatible apps, allowing users to utilize the device beyond mere reading.

Support for a myriad of file formats, including EPUB, PDF, AZW3, MOBI, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, FB2, DOC, DOCX, HTML, RTF, TXT, CHM, JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, and MP3, means the Leaf2 can handle nearly any content thrown at it, from graphic novels and comics to audiobooks and music files.

Storage & Connectivity

The Leaf2 comes equipped with 32GB of internal storage, capable of holding a substantial digital library. Furthermore, the inclusion of a Micro-SD slot for additional storage is a valuable asset, allowing for virtually unlimited storage expansion.

Though the Leaf2 doesn’t feature mobile connectivity, it does support Bluetooth, enabling connections with wireless headphones or speakers for listening to audiobooks or leveraging the text-to-speech feature. It’s worth noting that the device also includes in-built speakers, a rarity among e-readers.

Additional Features

Physical page-turn buttons are a thoughtful addition for those who appreciate a more tactile reading experience. An auto-rotation feature is also present, making the transition between portrait and landscape modes seamless, and enhancing the versatility of the device.

The Leaf2 supports text-to-speech functionality, adding to its multimedia capabilities.

Conclusion

The Boox Leaf2 Black Edition is a well-rounded and versatile e-reader offering a solid bang for the buck.

Its strong points such as the Android 11 operating system, wide file compatibility, built-in speakers, and physical page-turn buttons make it a strong contender in the e-reader market. However, the lack of waterproofing, auto-brightness, and mobile connectivity may be downsides for some users.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Leaf2’s overall package aligns well with its price point, making it an attractive choice for digital bookworms and multimedia enthusiasts. It’s a stylish, feature-rich device that pushes the boundaries of what an e-reader can do, effectively combining the best aspects of e-readers and tablets.

Check out our fully searchable e-reader comparison table here.

Full Specs