# Boox Palma 3 Arrives with Android 16 and a Premium Aluminum Redesign > The Boox Palma 3 upgrades to Android 16 and an aluminum frame for $339.99. Discover the full specs, new stylus support, and how it compares to the Palma 2. - Canonical URL: https://coreiten.com/en/article/boox-palma-3-arrives-with-android-16-and-a-premium-aluminum-redesign - Language: en - Section: Android - Author: Sami - Published: 2026-09-17T06:03:35+03:00 - Modified: 2026-09-17T06:03:35+03:00 - Publisher: CoreITen (https://coreiten.com) - Keywords: Boox Palma 3, Android 16, InkSense Plus, Palma 2 Pro, Boox Picco, Android 13, Android 17 ## Summary The new Boox Palma 3 e-reader launches at $339.99, featuring a premium aluminum frame, Android 16, and InkSense Plus stylus support. - The device swaps its predecessor's plastic shell for a sleek anodized aluminum frame and a paper-like fiberglass backplate. - It ships with Android 16 out of the box, offering better app compatibility and performance than the standard Palma 2's Android 13 OS. - Core hardware features include a 6.13-inch ePaper glass screen at 300 ppi, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, and a 3,950mAh battery. - The $339.99 price represents a steep $60 increase over the 2024 launch price of the Palma 2, while the InkSense Plus stylus requires an extra $46 purchase. **Why it matters:** This device highlights the growing trend of bridging the gap between high-end smartphones and e-readers through premium materials and modern operating systems. --- The **Boox Palma 3** elevates the pocket e-reader experience by swapping out its predecessor's plastic shell for a sleek, anodized aluminum frame. Priced at $339.99, the new device aims to bridge the design gap between traditional e-readers and premium smartphones. It features a paper-like fiberglass backplate that significantly modernizes its aesthetic. Beyond the chassis upgrade, the device now supports the **InkSense Plus** stylus, a feature first introduced with the **Palma 2 Pro**. This addition allows users to use the e-reader as a dedicated note-taking device, though the stylus requires an additional $46 purchase. The software also sees a major leap, shipping with **Android 16** out of the box. ### The Android 16 Advantage Moving to **Android 16** provides a substantially more modern software experience compared to the **Android 13** OS found on the standard **Palma 2**, and even edges out the **Android 15** software on the Pro model. While contemporary smartphones have already transitioned to **Android 17**, this update ensures better app compatibility and smoother performance for an e-ink device. This OS upgrade is crucial for users who rely on third-party reading apps, productivity tools, and cloud synchronization. It guarantees that the device will remain secure and capable of running modern Android applications for years to come, avoiding the rapid obsolescence that plagues older e-readers. ### Familiar Hardware Under the Hood While the exterior and operating system are new, Boox has retained the exact internal specifications that made the previous generation successful. The device maintains its physical volume and page-turn buttons, built-in speakers, microphones, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The core hardware specifications include: - A 6.13-inch ePaper glass screen with a 300 ppi resolution. - 6GB of RAM paired with 128GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD). - A 3,950mAh battery for extended reading sessions. - A 16MP rear camera equipped with an LED flash. - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. - Warm and cold front light adjustments with auto-rotation support. ### Is the Premium Build Worth the Price Hike? The $339.99 price tag represents a steep $60 increase over the 2024 launch price of the **Palma 2**. For existing owners of the previous generation, the identical internal specs make this a difficult upgrade to justify unless the aluminum frame and stylus support are absolute necessities. The core reading experience remains fundamentally unchanged. However, for new buyers seeking a high-end, pocketable Android device that doesn't compromise on build quality, the **Boox Palma 3** occupies a unique niche. By pushing the design closer to a modern smartphone and leaving the entry-level market to the newly released **Boox Picco**, Boox is clearly segmenting its lineup to cater to power users who demand premium materials. ## Sources - [gizmodo.com](https://gizmodo.com/the-boox-palma-3-upgrades-to-aluminum-and-android-16-2000812521) ## Related topics - [Android 16](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/android-16) - [Android 17](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/android-17)