The Phone-Sized Palma 2 E-Reader Is Cheaper Than Ever During Black Friday
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Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over.
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I got my first e-reader around 15 years ago—a Kindle—and in the years since, I've used devices and apps from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, and built up a fractured e-book library along the way. The past few years, I've also been reviewing a whole stack of e-ink devices for Lifehacker.
This is all to say that I'm writing with some authority when I say the Boox Palma 2 as my favorite e-reader ever—I think it's an even better buy than the newer but much pricier Boox Palma 2 Pro. The only downside: As e-readers go, it's a bit expensive—but ahead of Black Friday, it's less expensive than it used to be. With the launch of the Pro model, the original Palma 2 has dropped to a record low price of $270 (down from $300).
A truly portable full-featured e-reader
This phone-shaped e-reader, from Chinese tech firm Onyx International, is easy to slip into a jeans pocket alongside my iPhone. I carry it with my whenever I leave the house, and it has helped me doomscroll less and read more over the past year. It has a crisp e-ink screen with a front light almost as good as what you'll find on the Kindle Paperwhite, but it stands apart because of its open Android operating system, which lets you download any app on 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 the same device.
The screen's 300ppi resolution and speedy refresh rate also mean you can use productivity apps like Slack, Gmail, and Google Docs (add a Bluetooth keyboard and you've got a distraction-free, super-portable writing setup); browse the internet without much in the way of screen lag; or even play games and watch videos. Granted, no e-ink screen is going to look as crisp or move as smoothly as an LED screen, but that's kind of the point—the greyscale display causes less eyestrain and makes the device less addictive, so you use it with intention rather than mindlessly scrolling.
The Palma 2 is now cheaper than ever
There's no getting around the fact that the Palma 2 is significantly more expensive than a Kindle Paperwhite. But right now, you can pick one up at Amazon for $270 , a full 10% off. It's not a huge savings, but I've been tracking the price of this device on Amazon since its release, and it has never been available for less. And while the new Palma 2 Pro is a great device, it's significantly more expensive at $400, and if you don't care about a color screen, mobile data, or stylus support, the Palma 2 is a much better value anyway.
The original Palma is also back in stock on Amazon
If you want a Palma but can't justify even $270 for a discounted Palma 2, the original Palma from 2023 is also back in stock at Amazon, and it's a more palatable $229. While the OG Palma has a slightly slower processor, runs on an older version of Android, and lacks a fingerprint scanner, it's still a great value for most people—provided you can find one in stock in the U.S. (I've put together a full comparison between the Palma and Palma 2 if you're undecided.)
As of this writing, Amazon has the original Palma in stock right now in very limited quantities, so act fast if you want one.
Consider a cheaper alternative from Viwoods
If you're onboard with the concept of a phone-shaped device, love AI, and want to spend a bit less, the new Viwoods AiPaper Reader is under $240 for Black Friday. It has most of the same features as the Palma 2, plus mobile data via a SIM card—and it even works as a secret phone. (Check out my review.)
What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?
Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog.
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?
Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.