I’m Loving This Phone-Shaped E-Reader, and It’s Currently on a Rare Prime Day Sale

Prime Day 2025 runs from Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.

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I got my first e-reader about 15 years ago — a Kindle — and have since used devices and apps from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, never settling on any one and building up a sparse library of e-readers along the way. Most recently, I reviewed a whole stack of e-ink devices for Lifehacker. All that said, I write with some authority when I say the Boox Palma 2 is my favorite e-reader — the only downside is the price.

This phone-shaped e-reader from Chinese tech firm Onyx International fits easily in my jeans pocket next to my iPhone. I carry it with me when I go out, and it’s helped me scroll less and read more over the past year. It has a crisp, front-lit e-ink screen that’s almost as good as the Kindle Paperwhite, but it stands out because of its open Android operating system, which lets you download any app from the Google Play store, meaning you can access books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible, Audiobooks.com, or even graphic novel and manga subscription services like Shonen Jump, all on one device.

The display’s 300ppi resolution and relatively high refresh rate also mean you can use productivity apps like Slack, Gmail, and Google Docs ( add a Bluetooth keyboard and you’ve got a super-portable, distraction-free writing setup ); browse the web without much screen lag; or even play games and watch videos. Of course, no e-ink screen will look as sharp or move as smoothly as an LCD or LED screen, but that’s the point — a grayscale display is easier on the eyes and makes the device less addictive, so you’ll use it intentionally rather than mindlessly scrolling.

In short, it’s everything I wanted in an e-reader, but it comes at a price. After President Trump announced tariffs on Chinese products, the Palma 2 jumped in price from $280 to $300 — $100 more than Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. But, oddly enough, thanks to Amazon Prime Day, you can now buy it on sale.

I’ve never seen a discount on the Palma 2 before.

There’s no getting around the fact that $300 is a lot of money for an e-reader for many, but right now you can get one on Amazon for $270, which is a whopping 10% off its pre-tariff price. That may not seem like a huge savings, but I’ve been tracking the price of this device on Amazon since it was released, and I’ve never seen it go on sale at all , even during previous Prime Day events.

In short, if you’re convinced by my review, or maybe just intrigued by the viral hype surrounding the Palma 2 (which has a devoted following on TikTok, not to mention an active Reddit community), now is the time to get one.

The original Palma model is also back on sale on Amazon.

While it didn’t get an extra discount for Prime Day, you can also save an extra $25 by opting for the Palma 2’s predecessor, which dropped in price to $246 when the new device debuted last November. While the Palma has a slightly slower processor, runs an older version of Android, and lacks a fingerprint scanner, it’s still likely to be a better deal for most people—assuming you can find one in stock in the U.S. ( I’ve put together a full comparison if you’re undecided ). Luckily, both models are available right now on Amazon, in your choice of black or white. If you’re a fan of the concept of a phone-sized e-reader, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed with whichever one you choose.

Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Home Depot are running Prime Day sales that are especially helpful if you don’t have Amazon Prime.

• Walmart’s Prime Day sale starts at midnight on July 8 and includes discounts of up to 50% . It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+.

• Best Buy’s Prime Day sale , “Black Friday in July,” runs through Sunday, July 13, and offers some of the best tech sales online . It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.

• Home Depot has extended its July 4 sale through at least July 9, competing with some of its own great deals . It’s a particularly good option if you’re looking for power tools, appliances, or outdoor gear.

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