Onyx International was established in 2006 by a group of engineers with backgrounds at major technology companies, including IBM, Google, and Microsoft. The company initially focused on research and development of electronic paper technologies and began commercial production of E Ink devices around 2008. Its first BOOX-branded e-reader was released in 2009.2

In its early years, BOOX devices used the Linux operating system. In 2011, the company transitioned to Android, a significant strategic decision that distinguished BOOX from most competitors. Android support enabled users to install third-party applications from the Google Play ecosystem (on supported models), making BOOX devices more versatile than traditional e-readers.

Over time, BOOX expanded beyond simple e-readers into larger digital notebooks, color E Ink tablets, portable ePaper devices, and desktop monitors using E Ink technology.

• Company: Onyx International Inc.
• Founded: 2006
• First BOOX eReader: 2009
• Industry: Consumer Electronics
• Products: E Ink e-readers, ePaper tablets, digital notebooks, monitors
• Operating System: Android (most current devices)
• Official Website: BOOX3

According to the company, it performs much of the product development internally, including industrial design, hardware engineering, software development, and manufacturing coordination.4

BOOX promotes its products as tools that reduce eye strain while improving productivity. Unlike conventional LCD or OLED tablets, BOOX devices use E Ink displays, which mimic the appearance of printed paper and consume very little power.

The company’s current mission centers on:

• Comfortable digital reading
• Paper-like handwriting
• Focused productivity
• Long battery life
• Open Android ecosystem

Its core brand values are described as:

• Aspiration – building advanced E Ink products
• Persistence – long-term software support and continuous improvement
• Innovation – developing new applications of ePaper technology5

E-Readers

Traditional reading devices designed primarily for ebooks and PDFs.

Examples include:

• Page
• Go 6
• Go Color 7
• Leaf series

These devices support multiple ebook formats rather than being tied to a single bookstore.

E Ink Tablets

Large-screen devices intended for:

• Note-taking
• Academic reading
• PDF annotation
• Document editing
• Handwritten notes

Popular series include:

• Note Air
• Note Max
• Tab Ultra
• Tab X
• Go 10.3

Many models include stylus support and handwriting recognition.

Mobile ePaper Devices

BOOX has also introduced compact devices resembling smartphones but using E Ink displays.

The Palma series is designed for:

• Pocket reading
• Podcasts
• News
• Android apps
• Minimal-distraction productivity

Unlike smartphones, these devices generally emphasize reading rather than cellular communication (except select newer variants).6

E Ink Monitors

BOOX produces desktop monitors under the Mira series.

These monitors are intended for:

• Programming
• Writing
• Office work
• Reading
• Long-duration computer use

Because they use E Ink technology, they consume significantly less power than conventional monitors and are designed to reduce visual fatigue.

One of BOOX’s defining characteristics is its customized Android operating system.

Features commonly include:

• Google Play Store support (on many models)
• Split-screen multitasking
• Cloud synchronization
• Handwriting recognition
• PDF annotation
• File management
• Multiple refresh modes optimized for E Ink

This distinguishes BOOX from ecosystems such as Amazon Kindle or Kobo, which are generally more closed.

BOOX devices primarily use E Ink displays, including:

• Carta
• Carta Plus
• Kaleido (color E Ink)

Advantages include:

• Paper-like readability
• Excellent outdoor visibility
• Extremely low power consumption
• Battery life measured in days or weeks rather than hours

Limitations include:

• Slower screen refresh than LCD or OLED
• Less suitable for fast video and gaming

BOOX states that it provides at least three years of firmware updates for supported products and includes cloud services for synchronization and note backup.7

BOOX has introduced several products that it describes as industry firsts, including:

• Large-format E Ink writing tablets
• Front-lit 13.3-inch E Ink devices
• Android-powered E Ink tablets
• Color E Ink productivity tablets
• Smartphone-sized Android ePaper devices
• E Ink desktop monitors8

BOOX occupies a niche between traditional e-readers and conventional tablets.

Its products are commonly used by:

• Students
• Researchers
• Lawyers
• Writers
• Programmers
• Academics
• Business professionals

The brand competes with companies such as:

• Amazon (Kindle)
• Rakuten
• reMarkable
• PocketBook
• Bigme

Its primary differentiator is combining Android flexibility with E Ink hardware.

BOOX products have generally been praised for:

• Open Android ecosystem
• Wide format support
• Excellent PDF handling
• Strong note-taking capabilities

• Large variety of screen sizes

• Higher prices than standard e-readers

• More complex software than competitors
• Slower refresh rates compared with LCD tablets
• Occasional learning curve for new users9

The device brand is officially BOOX, while Onyx International is the manufacturer. The combined name “ONYX BOOX” is commonly used in marketing and retail listings, although newer branding increasingly emphasizes simply BOOX.

Onyx BOOX has established itself as one of the leading brands in the global E Ink market by combining paper-like displays with the flexibility of Android. Rather than focusing solely on ebook reading, the company has expanded into digital note-taking, document workflows, creative writing, education, and productivity. Its product range spans compact readers, large-format tablets, portable ePaper devices, and desktop monitors, making BOOX one of the most diverse manufacturers in the electronic paper ecosystem.

1. Onyx Boox
2. Boox Story | Make a Difference – The Official BOOX Store
3. Is onyxboox.com an official website of BOOX? – BOOX Help Center
4. Brand Story – Boox
5. Boox Palma 2 Pro review: one step forward, one step back
6. My favorite pocket-sized e-reader just got a massive color upgrade
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8. The best E Ink tablet for note taking and reading in 2026
9. ONYX BOOX electronic books