Boox Note Air 5 C review: upgraded Android, solid e‑ink performance

The Boox Note Air 5 C builds on its predecessor with a new Android 15 operating system, a Snapdragon 690 processor and a 10.3‑inch Kaleido 3 Carta color e‑paper display, offering modest upgrades to an already capable e‑ink tablet [1]. Reviewers note that while the device feels sturdier and the writing experience is excellent, its weight and some design quirks keep it from feeling like a major leap forward [2].

Key takeaways

• Runs Android 15 with promised three‑year software support, a first for e‑ink tablets [2]
• Powered by a 2.4 GHz octa‑core Snapdragon 690 CPU, 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, expandable via microSD [1]
• 10.3‑inch Kaleido 3 Carta screen shows 4,096 colors at 300 ppi (B&W) and 150 ppi (color) with front‑light temperature options [1]
• Boox Pen 3 stylus offers 4,096 pressure levels and a felt‑tip feel, though its magnetic attachment is weak [2]
• Device is heavy for its size, with a “chin” bezel and muted color rendering at lower brightness levels [2]

Design and display upgrades

The Note Air 5 C retains the thin, sleek silhouette of earlier models, featuring minimal bezels on three sides and a larger “chin” edge for thumb support [1]. Despite its slim profile, the tablet feels heavy, making it a two‑handed device for extended reading sessions and less comfortable on a bus or in a chair [1]. The 10.3‑inch Kaleido 3 Carta glass ePaper panel delivers a paper‑like look, supporting 4,096 colors. Black‑and‑white content appears sharp at roughly 300 ppi, while color images drop to about 150 ppi, and the front light offers multiple color‑temperature settings for day or night reading [1].

Performance, pen and usability

Under the hood, the Note Air 5 C houses a 2.4 GHz octa‑core Snapdragon 690 CPU, 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, with a microSD slot allowing expansion up to 1 TB [1][2]. The shift to Android 15 brings three years of software updates, addressing previous concerns over older Android versions on earlier Boox devices [2]. Users report solid performance for e‑ink tasks, though app switching can feel slightly laggy compared to tablets like the iPad [1].

The included Boox Pen 3 stylus provides 4,096 pressure levels and a felt‑tip writing feel that reviewers describe as the best they've experienced on any device, even surpassing the iPad [1][2]. However, the stylus’s magnetic attachment to the tablet is noted as ineffective, with the magnet only holding well near the bottom page‑turn button and the cap covering the nib storage being prone to popping off [2]. Physical page‑turn buttons and pogo‑pin connectors for an optional keyboard folio add to its productivity appeal, though the overall weight and muted color reproduction at lower brightness levels remain drawbacks [2].

Why it matters

The Boox Note Air 5 C demonstrates how incremental hardware and software upgrades can extend the relevance of e‑ink tablets for readers and note‑takers who value long battery life and a paper‑like writing experience. By moving to Android 15 and offering a faster processor, Boox addresses longevity concerns that plagued earlier models, positioning the device as a viable supplement to laptops and iPads rather than a direct replacement. Future updates will determine whether the weight and color‑muting issues can be mitigated, but for now the Note Air 5 C stands as a solid, if not revolutionary, option for those seeking a color e‑ink notebook.