Onyx BOOX Note Air 3: Another example of an unneeded update?

Reflections on BOOX's rapid device release cycle

Onyx BOOX rapidly releases e-readers and e-notes with minimal upgrades. For example, Onyx BOOX Nova Air 1 and Nova Air 2 are nearly identical, with the difference being a slightly improved processor and updated version of Android. Nova Air is an e-note, so these improvements will make hardly any difference (the Nova Air series has since been discontinued).

The same applies to the release of Note Air 3. The difference between Note Air 2 and Note Air 3 is slight – the main differences are a slightly faster processor and the screen’s upgrade to Carta 1200. Both devices have the same resolution screen (227 PPI).

It should be noted that minor improvements between different e-reader/e-note generations apply to other vendors, too. Nevertheless, these vendors have a much slower release cycle. Vendors like Amazon, Kobo, and Ratta Supernote usually release new devices between two and four years. While the slow upgrades are partly due to E Ink technology, companies like Amazon and Kobo are also more conservative and unwilling to take risks and adopt improvements. For example, Kobo and Amazon have not adopted E Ink Kaleido due to how it has implemented colour. BOOX, on the other hand, is less inhibited and has been an early adopter of E Ink colour.

Developing software  

Onyx BOOX is ahead of other vendors regarding software features. A frequent complaint, however, is the convoluted and confusing interface design. Focusing on software experience and slowing the device release cycle might make more sense.

Yet, BOOX has apparently adopted a strategy of ordering a limited number of units due to production scale restrictions. The frequent release of e-readers is possibly due to the limited number of units produced for each model. When the device sells out, it is discontinued and replaced with a newer model with minimal changes. In comparison, Amazon and Kobo operate on a larger scale and can release products less often.

Overall, BOOX e-notes do not disappoint. They have the best hardware and most advanced software features. The same, however, can be said about the previous generation of each iteration they release. BOOX Note Air 2/Note Air 2 Plus are as capable for most users as Note Air 3. Onyx BOOX also has a record of providing software updates for their core in-built apps for a few years after the release of a device. The release of Android upgrades is non-existent, but updating to the latest version of the operating system is not a significant issue with e-notes. Hence, there is no reason for current BOOX users to upgrade to the newest e-note.