Onyx Boox Note Air 3

Video Review

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: At a Glance

With the Note Air 3, Boox continues its successful line of Android-based E-Ink tablets and presents a successor to the Note Air 2 Plus that closely follows the colorful Note Air 3C in both looks and functionality. The new model targets users who prefer a large black-and-white E-Ink display without giving up modern tablet features. Early impressions are solid, but some questions remain—especially regarding the display and specs.

Proven design, new details

Right out of the box, it’s clear that Boox is staying true to its minimalist design: the Note Air 3 uses the same robust casing as its sibling, the 3C. The aluminum body feels premium, seems sturdy, and barely flexes. At 460 grams, however, it’s noticeably heavier than stated—and paradoxically heavier than the Note Air 3C with a color display. We can only speculate about the reason for now; the cover glass appears comparable, and the display tech (E-Ink Carta at 227 ppi) isn’t new either.

Hardware on solid footing

Technically, the Note Air 3 offers a solid, if not outstanding, configuration. With an octa-core processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB of internal storage, it’s well equipped for most e-reading and note-taking tasks. Storage can be expanded via a microSD card, which is a real plus in everyday use. You also get stereo speakers, a microphone, a USB-C port, and a fingerprint sensor in the power button—the latter not only boosts security but also makes handling noticeably easier.

Display: Tried-and-true tech with minor drawbacks

The 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta display with 227 ppi falls short of expectations—especially compared with devices like the Kindle Scribe with 300 ppi. Pixel density matches the previous model and should be sufficient for pure text use, but it does look a bit dated next to competing products. The front light offers adjustable color temperature and appears even at first glance, but shows slight brightness variations that are unlikely to be distracting in everyday use.

No Super Refresh – sensible omission or missed opportunity?

One difference from other Boox devices is the absence of the “Super Refresh” technology, which significantly improves scrolling and video playback on E-Ink. For a work device running Android, this would have been a sensible addition—but given the smaller 3,700 mAh battery, Boox apparently chose to omit it so as not to impact battery life too much. The omission seems considered, yet still feels inconsistent, since the Note Air 3C offers exactly this feature with the same battery capacity.

Accessories and usability: practical, but not perfect

The Boox Pen Plus is included; it’s adequate in terms of functionality, but doesn’t match the quality of the optional Pen 2 Pro. You also have to do without a built-in eraser. The pen’s magnetic attachment now works very reliably. The interface is based on Android 12, optimized for E-Ink, and performs as expected—even if Boox’s Tab line has the edge with its more flexible UI. Early tests show the usual low pen latency of around 20 milliseconds and a pleasant writing feel.

Evolution, not revolution

Overall, the Boox Note Air 3 makes a mature impression. It’s a logical evolution of the Note Air 2 Plus without offering major surprises. Build quality is high, the system feels snappy, and the combination of Android and E-Ink remains a unique selling point in this segment. If you already have a working Note Air 2 Plus, there’s little incentive to switch. For newcomers or those switching from the Kindle or Kobo camp, however, the Note Air 3 could be an attractive alternative—provided you can live with the minor compromises in display and features.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3: Technical Specifications

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