Onyx Boox Nova Air | Impressive Android e-Reader

[@laldingliana5198]

Reading manga on e-ink displays is pure bliss compared to LCD ipads!

[@JW0121]

What about that flickering/flashing after each page turn though? 3:02

[@somedude7624]

@@JW0121 it's so minimal that you get used to it super fast. Also even after reading for 4 hours straight I don't feel any eye pressure or pain whereas with lcd displays I would feel pressure just after 30 minutes.

[@Huliatt]

@@somedude7624 I was thinking of getting it for reading manga, but have no idea where to get the manga for it! Is there a good source with a large library that works on this reader?

[@ScOULaris]

@@Huliatt I'd really like to know if any of these Android-powered e-ink tablets play well with the Shonen Jump app. For $2 a month you have access to the entire Shonen Jump library, which is enormous. I just haven't seen any video demonstrations as to how an app like that performs on an e-ink device, so I'm afraid to take a chance on any of these somewhat expensive e-readers when that's my primary use-case scenario.

[@777osbaldo1]

@@ScOULaris I have the nova air. I tried out the SJ app and it works like normal but the main issue is that it has a swipe animation. That results in ghosting. I use tachiyomi since you can turn off the animation when changing pages so no ghosting. Tachiyomi and SJ have the same scan quality but I'm not sure what your morale stance is on pirated manga so that's up to you to decided.

[@eduardopatricio]

I use several readers and stores on my Boox. Love it. I also play sudoku on it.

[@chromodoris]

New to the channel and love your reviews. Never expected you to do an e-book reader review though. I have a Boox Note 3 (first ever e-ink device) and I love it (despite the quirks).

[@amaljoe367]

Now we can open PDFs, EPUBs other stuff directly from e-book 🌚

[@jakeowaty]

Preordered this one. It checks all the boxes, but I'm worried about the battery life the most. How many days of regular usage (let's say 1-2 hours a day) can you get out of it?

[@homie4235]

E readers like this generally last multiple weeks if you just reading books on it, though even if your doing more it will last far longer than you phone or tablet. .

[@s.l.4293]

i've got the same question, and it seems too early for any reviewer to actually answer yet for this specific device but I've triangulated some data points: this battery is substantially smaller than pretty much anything else from the Boox line-up, including similarly sized devices. It is about twice what is on a Kindle Oasis. But Kindle's OS is very trim and focused, and I have the impression Android has a higher overhead cost. And of course, for any of these, mileage will vary depending on how bright the backlight is, what apps you use most, how good you are about closing apps running in the background, keeping wifi on, etc etc. It is possible it could outperform the Nova color with it's bigger battery just because the color almost requires a backlight, from what I've read, but this one... shouldn't. Beyond that, your guess is as good as anybody's.

[@jakeowaty]

@@s.l.4293 I got it from a preorder last week and have been using it daily for reading mostly. I've spent 2-3 first hours setting it up with Wifi, using the drawing function, downloading apps and such. It maybe drained 10% of the battery during that time, with backlight on. I've been reading around 2 hours a day since, thereabouts - maybe in total about 4 days now of using it daily. With some light note-taking, and the backlight being on lowest levels of on (I do like reading in a dark room) - it's down to 65%. I'd say that yes - the battery is substantially smaller, but if you use it normally and regularly and let the device power off for the longer periods of not using it, it'll last you for longer than a week, no problem. If you do blast wifi, backlight - I reckon it'll do fine with 3-4 days until it's drained. Longer if you use it like I do. Yes, battery was my concern but now it really isn't. Air is really light, the build quality is just spectacular. Don't mind smaller battery life for something this well made.

[@s.l.4293]

@jakeowaty - Thanks for the detailed update! Don't suppose you could tell me if it has a gyroscope? Can't find that anywhere either (and I have looked.) It does look like a beauty!

[@jakeowaty]

@@s.l.4293 Doesn't seem like it - I have to do it manually via quick access ball or top-bar menu. 🤔

[@NeoCzernoborg]

Great review as always. 🙂 I have one question: how apps like Manga Geek works on this reader ?

[@cyberlizardcouk]

I like ebook readers but can't help but think they are still grossly overpriced.

[@bitteralmonds666]

Not if you get one used or an old model. You could buy one for as little as $50 🤔🧐

[@clemleg123]

Depends on your needs

[@cyberlizardcouk]

@@clemleg123 just a large screen for reading academic articles and text books. i don't need the ability to scribble on it (nice as that is)... just a functional ereader (with a large screen) - mine is 9.7inch.

[@veenitareadswrites]

They are seriously overpriced

[@Azertuiopnbvcxwmlkjh]

@@veenitareadswrites In 2014, I bought a Kindle 3G from 2012 second hand for 40€ (with its leather case). I have been using it almost everyday and it's still going strong. No bugs and the battery still holds more than a week. So all Kindles and Kobos come at a very interesting price because their business model isn't the eReader itself but the books (like a printer with cartridges). What I fear with these other brands like Onyx is that I would be overpaying for both the ereader while it won't last as long as a Kindle because of the different business model

[@marcin6386]

Can you show how fast refresh rate looks like on different modes ? And also show browsing?

[@vanessan2270]

Some have been noticing the page turn buttons do not work as such when using third party apps such as scribd. Can you confirm or help? Thank you!

[@natayquesodeleche380]

Yes please confirm. We use Scribd.

[@cyberlizardcouk]

for the record, my ebook reader is a Pocketbook Pro 902 for those who asked.

[@niprbmw_210]

Yes, this could be an amazon competitor.

[@kunkundalin]

It's easily better than the latest Oasis.

[@niprbmw_210]

@@kunkundalin hmm, I'm not two sure what the oasis is to be honest, can you explain to me what it is

[@kunkundalin]

@@niprbmw_210 the leading, most premium eReader that Amazon offers.

[@fragon8188]

Big fan! Love your humour 😉

[@mannydejesus3156]

Chris happy holidays to you great vid I've been following you with the Moto g and Nokia phone for years my opinion best budget android but now the Nova air is one I really consider but the price man I found one more budget friendly that runs Android and I hope you could review the Mobiscribe origin. This enote is smaller at 6.8in but I would really appreciate your thoughts on it thanks from over the pond

[@lick3227]

You've come such a damn long way Chris, great work and wish you all the best for things to come. Cheer !

[@bitteralmonds666]

32GB sounds like a lot to book readers, but I have a massive manga collection that’s at least 100GBs from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten, and other vendors. These need expandable memory badly. And don’t even get me started on my audiobook collection…

[@clemleg123]

Can’t you store your books on the cloud and download only those you are actually reading? Genuinely asking

[@bitteralmonds666]

@@clemleg123 I’m already doing that. I dunno. I’m an old Luddite b00mer who still needs things locally. It took me forever to transition from physical media to digital hahah 👴🏽✌🏽

[@worri3db3ar]

wish it was easier to find out the cost of the device esp as not everyone lives in USA.

[@remeycn]

Designed and made in China

[@daverevs]

I tried to preorder but the Onyx website said they don't ship to UK when I got to checkout. Do you know who may ship here?

[@brullotj]

Amazon

[@oliberrr]

For all of those uninformed or misinformed Tech Spurt followers in the comment section, ereaders are good for reading because disolay technology differs compare from laptop or phone screen. Phone and laptop screen causes eye strain easily.

[@dreamerovdreams2]

Why are Dasung tablets still light years ahead in web/browsing performance than any Onyx device? This just has too much flicker and lag.

[@vidalskyociosen3326]

But look at who has much sales ??? Yea right Dasung is not on it , Why ? Because these devices are mainly made for reading ; video , web browser , etc. are just extra for market strategy. If you want a device that can browse faster then buy a tablet , but if you enjoy reading as close as reading on paper then enjoy E-ink devices with less distraction.

[@stevehornsby7727]

I notice that you use genshin impact for testing gaming on phones. But to install recourses each time is unusual. Do you have the same problem? I am using a huawei p30 pro 128gb

[@sakurakinomoto1532]

Which one would you choose? The Note Air or the Nova air?

[@s.l.4293]

The sizes really lend themselves to different use cases. Most people who take a lot of notes find a smaller screen too cramped. Some pdfs will be easier to read on the larger Note. But the Nova is lighter, more portable. Not sure it matters much to the naked eye, but it also has a higher ppi. So the question isn't what someone else would choose, but rather how you expect to use one and which size best fits your use case.

[@elirocha8548]

Love my reader. Not too heavy

[@TheRecocebo]

why there is no autorotate in this great device. or is there?

[@stevied2710]

Hey Teck Spurt when will Samsung bring out their new budget 5G smart phones. With Dual Sim and take a SD Card at the same time. Thank you MR ????

[@ppalm951]

Chris, do you still have this reader or was it a loaner? Reason I'm asking is that I'm a musician and I use an Android app on a Samsung standard tablet for my music lyrics and chords. It's difficult to read in daytime outdoor gigs and settings. Was thinking this could be what I'm looking for, but I tried a previous version of a Boox model and it was worthless. I got the app to load but it wouldn't scroll very well at all. Was hoping if you had this I could pay you for the app (only like $20), have you load it onto this device and you tell me if it works very well on it? I really don't want to buy a new device and have to possibly flip it again and sell it. Would be easier to have someone install it on a unit they already have. Also you are adept at apps and software so I'd trust your opinion. Is that something you would consider doing?

[@VeganGaymer]

Hello, Does anyone know how well this work for authors and a word processing app?

[@planetminecraft411]

This e-reader is pretty cool

[@BaieDesBaies]

So it's a real tablet not a reader, but with e-ink screen and enhanced book features and store ?

[@mcrandy8138]

Is there any difference in reading manga with onyx book nova air and nova 3 color? Because manga is in B&W format is it better to use air or nova 3?

[@furiouswolf8831]

I heard that dedicated B&W will always be better than colored Eink.

[@Simon-je7ko]

Does it read text like Kindle?

[@MsPinkcat7]

How is the pencil?

[@genchoilievnikolov5910]

Definitely good but very overpriced.

[@XTRMXPRTKILR]

Can it run videos can it game?

[@MsPinkcat7]

How was it for note taking ?

[@markb1935]

I like this review, could you kindly review the Sony DPT3 colour e-reader please.

[@eliaswei5658]

Is the color version available? I haven't heard of that

[@markb1935]

@@eliaswei5658 Hmm… you know what, I don’t think so, oops lol I might have been drunk when I wrote this comment. But I did here they were working on one though.

[@Rkuuyam]

Yes, I like it.

[@mahakalana1542]

Can I rotate the display?

[@ButchCassidyAndSundanceKid]

what about dictionary ?

[@DorotaGodby]

Does this have a SD card slot? Many thanks for the detailed overview!

[@savedfaves]

Total price is €414 on Amazon. More expensive than iPad.

[@deltainvestmentfinancialse34]

Pls do review of Remarkable 2.

[@NeonVisual]

Can't put an ebook in your non-existing bookcase.

[@hatem0]

how fast can I scroll?

[@pnpentertain3494]

Nokia x20 android 12upgrade review pls

[@mohned2004]

Is this the best device Onyx Boox Nova Air C Is this the best reader device؟؟؟؟

[@bak-unin]

How much?!! For that price I would expect much more storage and/expandability. And the battery life, for an eReader, seems pitiful. It's seems to be offering the worst of both worlds. .a terrible eReader (one of the main draws of dedicated ereaders is long battery life) and a terrible android tablet (the minimum of 1 second refresh rate means it's going cause all sorts of ghosting). You don't mention the processor or ram. Sorry mate, I love your reviews, but I'm not getting why you are recommending this. I have a Kobo H20 that works as an excellent eReader. It doesn't pretend to be anything else and is just over a third of the price.

[@Daumex]

I'm confued as well. Boox has a version with a color E-ink screen for a similar price. I literally have no idea why does this cost this much.

[@fifteentwelve]

@@Daumex The Air is cheaper by USD50.00 (349 Vs 399 for the Nova 3 Colour). Both have 32 GB of storage, and 3GB of RAM. No SD card slot for either of them. The Air has a smaller battery 2000mah compared to 3150mah on the Colour. Both come with their respective stylus pens in the box. Both have 300 ppi monochrome screens, but the Colour can switch to its 100ppi colour screen. Only the Air has the "warm/cold front light" adjustable display. The Colour just has the one cold light option. The Air has speakers, but the Colour doesn't. And of course, the Air is 30g lighter than the Colour (235g vs 265g).

[@Kazeant]

May i ask.. Does it support translation in Greek? not one word but a hall paragraph during reading? Like Google book reading that pop up the translation in the phone?

[@QWERTY-do4qr]

Is Nova Air's screen glossy or matte?

[@elvi3540]

matte. it has already been fitted with factory protective film.

[@Dmwntkp99]

Warranty is probably a nightmare...

[@scootershooter2792]

Hey I watched your video on the Xperia 1 3 whenever I use wired earbuds and I've tried it with three different pair now there is a version of mic monitoring going on the mic picks up my voice and everything going on in my environment and pumps it through my own earbuds as I'm talking it only happens while I'm on a phone call have you had any issues talking with the phone using wired earbuds?

[@BryBry77]

I dare you to play CoD on it!

[@caxzrockz]

Can people please recommend me a phone for about a £650?

[@iyintosoluwami]

Hmm.

[@shuflie]

Looks like a great ebook reader/tablet so I went to order one. "Sorry, we don't ship to Northern Ireland". Guess I'll stick with my Kindle then.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

They claim to deliver to UK, but then they also claim to offer a DHL delivery (DTL?) that looks after customs (but then say local taxes not included)

[@fifteentwelve]

Have you tried AliExpress? Maybe it's not stocked yet but once it does it should be able to ship globally.

[@shuflie]

@@sdrtcacgnrjrc If a company can't be bothered to sell me something available in the rest of the UK, then I won't be jumping through hoops to buy from their international store. What makes it even worse is that they ship to the UK from the EU so would potentially have more paperwork to do sending to the rest of the UK since NI is behind the EU imposed border controls.

[@ethan_0.1]

Cool

[@hyperionphoenix6106]

I don’t even want one lol, I’m just here for the humour

[@gorgonismztruth1551]

why is there no color on these??

[@Khaja_966]

7th

[@kynikoi_6867]

Waiting for a color version of this device.

[@kynikoi_6867]

@Uxküll i know, but still waiting for this one.

[@HenryEIje]

Tell them to improve on it: (1) tiny bezels, (2) colored screen to support android, (3) micro SD support

[@shielong]

😂 that is very advance book

[@Daumex]

Seems overpriced considering they offer a version with a full color E-ink screen for like 50$ more, stylus included. Why does this cost this much?

[@fifteentwelve]

Call it the premium for using proprietary E-ink technology, on top of an already-niche market. Even the base Nova3 is $339, just $10 cheaper than the Air.

[@theodoretekkers]

Too pricy imo

[@RAKULKUMAR555]

In other words, this device can be called a b&w android tablet.

[@Cartman8402]

And for a reasonable price too. I think I will recommend this to my sister. 👍

[@Daumex]

@@Cartman8402 It's not a reasonable price. E-ink readers cost 100$ on average, and for the price difference here you get a stylus input and Android. Boox has Nova 3 Color for the similar price which has a color e-ink screen which is much more usable for comic books for example. This thing though? Not worth the money.

[@Cartman8402]

@@Daumex Well. Not everyone is reading comic books, so there is no need for color e-ink. My sister is a psychiatrist and needs to take notes. It'll save a lot of trees having a tablet like that.

[@marleymomo9582]

For 350 dollars, I can buy mi pad 5 having Snapdragon 860. For stylus & keyboard accessories another 60 dollars. Then who want a over priced black & white screened tablet with mediocre specs. Lol..

[@s.l.4293]

This is a specialized device with a pretty narrow set of uses. It really isn't for everyone. You aren't paying for the cpu, rom, etc. You are paying for eye-friendly eink screen and note-taking capabilities, which is much closer to paper than any LCD. And even the minimalism, which leads to less distraction in your workflow. Eink has one advantage only: The screen can be completely unlit. Its limitations mean it can't use a lot of power so they don't bother giving it more than it can use. Basically, if you don't know why you would want one, then you probably aren't someone who would use it. Glamorous they are not. But they are sooooo much more comfortable to read on for extended stretches.

[@joemanner6171]

People who own ereaders are just being extra. You stare at your phone all day, then all the sudden you can't read a few pages on it? You gotta have another overpriced slow as black and white device to read a few pages? Please.

[@brysonwest93]

No need for insults. Lots of us don't like the eyestrain you get on phones. The constant interruptions. Even color can be distracting. We want that deep thinking you can get in a book and notepad.

[@niluferwajeeh4352]

Reading books on colored tablets is hard on your eyes.

[@PlankGFX]

You obviously don't know what you're talking about. If you read a lot e readers make a big difference on eye strain.

[@oliberrr]

You do not what you're talking about. Ereaders are good for reading. Phones / tablets aren't.

[@s.l.4293]

Yes I do. Obviously!

[@mick1583]

Basically an Android pad for people with more money than sense.

[@AGONY6085]

Its a useless thing tho when u got laptop or phone

[@Cartman8402]

In case you didn't know. There are people out there who don't need all that fancy stuff.😉

[@rgb2296]

They can be distracting and the display is better for eyes.

[@AGONY6085]

@@Cartman8402 yea ig old men 😝

[@Cartman8402]

@@AGONY6085 You call me old? I'm 37 kid!

[@AGONY6085]

@@Cartman8402 i meant ig its good for old men lmao

[@gorgonismztruth1551]

just use an iPad lol

[@privacyhelp]

this tablet has better long battery life than ipad, and the screen is like a real paper

[@gorgonismztruth1551]

@@privacyhelp BOOMER TALK Lol

[@privacyhelp]

@@gorgonismztruth1551 I dont why you calling ipad users as boomer

[@daveadriffield7296]

It's not very colourful.

[@gorgonismztruth1551]

black and white is soo 1985

[@gorgonismztruth1551]

E renders are for BOOMERS ONLY

[@cockneyse]

Can you actually read a kindle book via an app? They seem to be a little paranoid these days about availability of the app and allowing books to be read on anything bar the Kindle you brought it foe

[@amaljoe367]

Should be able to right? via the Kindle app for Android

[@fifteentwelve]

Yes you can. You can enable the Google Play Store and install any app you want from it.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Yes I'm an ignorant techtard but I don't understand e-Readers over a tablet. Why would I buy this over a regular tablet? Does it do colour?

[@amaljoe367]

Its good for our eyes. And you only need to charge them once in a week. That's the reason.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@amaljoe367 Does anyone still buy black and white TV's? Especially expensive ones? Long battery life is good but real books are good on the eye and have a lifetime charge. Thanks for filling me in tho 👍

[@amaljoe367]

@@CathodeRayNipplez E-ink displays work exactly like paper. It uses real ink. Hence they say it's good for the eye. And e-books cost less than actual books. And we don't need to wait for reading book after ordering online. It will always have a bigger collection of books than nearby library. Not just book, pdfs, journals web pages, e-newspapers, school/College text books. We can scan and keep documents to google drive from our phone and access it from e-reader... Android based E-ink readers have unlimited potential.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@amaljoe367 If you like living in 1950's black and white that is. Geez, even newspapers have colour. I have hundreds of e-books and can't say I've had any eye strain issues using a regular Android tablet but hey, that's just me I suppose.

[@rgb2296]

@@CathodeRayNipplez Why do you need colour for reading unless it's a comic book or sth. Tablets can be a distraction too.

[@eatdirt5]

Have you tried reading manga on it through Tachiyomi?

[@m.m.m.m8276]

I have an older onyx model, it does work perfectly on it, so i think it would on this one too.

[@giotheflow]

I have it's predecessor, the Nova 3, and I just completed Attack on Titan using Tachiyomi.

[@jeremiahpacheco4899]

@@giotheflow hi! I'm looking to buy this myself. Do the prices for all their products drop on Black Friday? And by how much?

[@sasuak]

Compare with kindle oasis pleaseee 😊

[@MsMamamia20]

Are you able to download the Hoopla app through the library on this device?

[@nanostar7660]

2:51-buttons come with screen

[@nanostar7660]

6:55-syncing notes and notes taking

[@kingbuusaki7130]

I wonder if they'll make a color one for a hundred dollars more because that is a lot of nice features especially like the pen another will read the books to you

[@ambhat3953]

There's already nova3 color for 399

[@tjey379]

Interesting look at the future, this is one for tree conservation, but I ask, isn't staring at a backlit screen for long periods hard on the eyes? Considering the reading posture.

[@PlankGFX]

Its a front light, and it's nowhere as hard on the eyes as a lcd screen

[@s.l.4293]

You can turn the light off entirely and still use the screen because of how eink works. (Look it up, it's actually rather cool tech.) And an unlit eink screen uses no energy, which is why these babies usually have such good battery life compared to LCDs. You can turn on the frontlight for dim conditions but you don't need any screen light at all to use the device. And even with it on, it usually glow less than an LCD, etc. So yes, it helps tremendously with eyestrain - and this is the point for a lot of users. Regarding reading posture... I don't have this (yet) but like my eink kindle it is lighter than a book. I read on the kindle in all sorts of positions, including one-handed while walking around. A good - and varied posture is easier with something this small and light.

[@tjey379]

Thanks for the education, till now I didn't know that there was anything else besides the diodes and the LCDs. Cool tech indeed.