Lenovo Smart Paper: Android 11 E-Ink Tablet with Advanced Note-Taking Features
Even though competition in the dedicated e-reading market has steadily declined in recent years, the market for e-note devices is truly booming. After Amazon recently entered the digital notepad segment with the Kindle Scribe, the world’s largest computer manufacturer is now following suit.
Lenovo is introducing its first dedicated E-Ink device with the Smart Paper.
Video Summary (English)
Below is a brief video summary of the Lenovo Smart Paper in English:
Solid Technology
The Lenovo Smart Paper is equipped with a 10.3-inch E-Ink Carta display featuring a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels. This results in a pixel density of 227 ppi, placing Lenovo’s writing tablet alongside devices such as the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 (Plus), Boox Tab Ultra, and Remarkable 2.
While you have to do without the higher resolution found exclusively with Amazon’s competing product, the Lenovo Smart Paper offers significantly more comprehensive note-taking features (see below), including two built-in microphones enabling you to record audio as you take notes. Audio output is possible via compatible Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Compared to the sector leader Remarkable 2, the Lenovo Smart Paper stands out thanks to its built-in front light and adjustable color temperature (from cool white to warm orange).
The device can be operated using both a capacitive and inductive touchscreen—either with your fingers or the included stylus. Stylus latency is a low 23 ms, which is typically fast enough not to be distracting. Additionally, it supports 4,096 pressure levels.
Stylus input with 23 ms latency and 4,096 pressure levels
This tablet is powered by a Rockchip RK3566 Quad-Core CPU (4x 1.8 GHz) and comes with 4 GB of RAM. Internal storage is a generous 64 GB, which is not expandable.
Weighing 408 grams, the Smart Paper falls conveniently into the mid-range for 10-inch tablets and should be easy to handle, thanks to the relatively large area surrounding the display. At only 5.5 millimeters thick, it is also impressively slim.
The battery capacity is a respectable 3,550 mAh, with Lenovo promising up to 7,000 page turns or 170 pages written using the stylus. Thus, in real-world use—similar to the competition—you can typically expect several weeks of use from a single charge. Charging is via USB-C.
Note-Taking Focus with Android 11
A visually distinct feature is the cutout for the stylus in the grip area. The stylus can be placed there for storage when not in use or during transport, but it can also attach magnetically to the edge on the opposite side.
The device runs on Android 11 (AOSP), and applications can be installed via sideloading. Various E-Ink refresh modes are also provided for this purpose.
One particularly interesting highlight is the note-taking functionality. Lenovo has taken inspiration from the Remarkable 2, offering similarly comprehensive options such as different pen types, layers, and the ability to record audio while taking notes.
It is also possible to transfer created notes to other devices, send them by email, or synchronize directly with Google Drive. Handwriting recognition is most likely included as well.
Notes can be transferred to various devices.
New King of Note-Taking?
While detailed information about the full range of features is still missing, it is already clear that the Lenovo Smart Paper does not cut corners when it comes to note-taking capabilities and includes essential features right out of the box.
Can Lenovo leverage its big name in this new market segment?
This will likely give competitors Onyx Boox and Remarkable cause for concern.
Onyx has, up until now, almost exclusively dominated the e-note segment with open Android devices, managing to attract users despite relatively high prices and various data protection concerns. With Lenovo entering this segment as a global player, Onyx can expect significantly tougher competition.
Remarkable is likely to feel similar pressure. Although they have recently made notable progress with Firmware 3.0, their continued lack of screen illumination remains a practical disadvantage. Remarkable has been able to outclass the Kindle Scribe due to much better note-taking functionality—but that edge seems to be shrinking with the introduction of the Lenovo Smart Paper.
It will certainly be exciting to see how the digital note-taking market develops in 2023 with increasing competition.
The Lenovo Smart Paper is expected to be available soon, as early as January 2023, starting at 480 euros. A review on ALLESebook.de will follow when the device becomes available, at the latest.
Image sources: Lenovo
