Reading, writing, note-taking, document review, and a touch of light productivity—all on a 10,3-inch e-ink screen that doesn't aim to compete with an iPad, but rather to differentiate itself from it. That's the promise of the new BOOX Go 10.3 Gen II Series, a family made up of two models: the BOOX Go 10.3 Gen II and the BOOX Go 10.3 Gen II Lumi.
On paper, the proposition is quite clear: offer a thin, lightweight eInk tablet with Android 15, access to the Google Play Store, and an included stylus for taking notes as if you were using a notebook. The key difference lies in the lighting. The standard model maintains the purest eInk philosophy, while the Lumi version adds, for the first time, adjustable front lighting with warm and cool tones.
Design and materials
The BOOX Go 10.3 Gen II boasts a very slim design, almost like a high-end notebook. The standard model is only 4,6 millimeters thick, while the Lumi version is slightly thicker. 4,8 millimeters due to the integration of the front light. In both cases we are talking about 365 grams, a very reasonable figure for a 10,3-inch device designed to go inside a backpack, a folder or a work bag.
The feeling this series conveys is that of a product designed to accompany you every day. It doesn't try to grab attention with garish colors or multimedia tablet finishes. It's more understated, more desktop-friendly, more meeting-oriented. It has that tool-like quality that doesn't need to show off too much because its value becomes apparent when you use it for an entire morning taking notes, reviewing PDFs, or reading documents.
Format 10,3 inches is probably the sweet spot for this type of device. A six- or seven-inch screen is too small for writing or working with documents, while a larger tablet starts to become less comfortable. Here, there's enough space to annotate in the margins, divide content, and read without constantly zooming in.
New InkSense Plus pen
The InkSense Plus pen is one of the key elements of the experience.It supports 4.096 pressure levels. And tilt recognition—two features that sound technical, but in practice translate into more natural and less rigid writing. It's not just about the stroke appearing on the screen, but about it responding logically to hand pressure and the angle of the stylus.
E-ink has a clear advantage over the glass of a conventional tablet: the writing experience is usually drier, more controlled, and less slippery. It's not exactly paper, because no digital device is, but it comes closer to that experience than a glossy screen where the stylus seems to skid. For long notes, diagrams, to-do lists, or reviewing documents, that difference is noticeable.
BOOX also accompanies the hardware with organizational tools such as Lasso, Insert, Outlines, and Labels. These are features that, when used correctly, make a digital notebook much more flexible than a physical notebook. You can move blocks, rearrange ideas, tag topics, and build a kind of living archive. For students, consultants, teachers, or professionals who live between meetings, it can be just the kind of convenience that ends up changing habits.
The usual screen
Both models feature a screen eInk Carta 1200 monochrome 10,3 inch with 300 dpi resolution. It's a combination designed for text, documents, books, articles, and notes. There's no color here, which can be a limitation if you work with complex graphics, comics, or other visual content. But it's also a logical choice: this series is about focus, reading, and writing, not about becoming a screen for everything.
Clarity is one of its strong points. 300 dpi They position the device at a very comfortable level for reading small print, reviewing PDFs, and spending many hours in front of the screen without the harshness of an LCD or OLED panel. E-ink doesn't emit light in the same way as a conventional tablet and, moreover, performs exceptionally well in direct sunlight. Outdoors, where many screens are starting to become expensive mirrors, it remains perfectly visible.
hardware and connectivity
Inside we find an eight-core Qualcomm processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. These aren't figures designed to impress someone coming from the world of traditional Android tablets, but they make perfect sense on an e-ink device. The eInk screen dictates the pace of use: you're not going to be editing video, playing games, or navigating interfaces at 120Hz. The important thing is that opening documents, switching between notes, using NeoReader, and moving through compatible apps is smooth within the inherent limitations of the technology.
The 64 GB of storage also seems sufficient. for its target audience. Books, PDFs, notes, work documents, and digital notebooks take up much less space than videos or games. BOOX also mentions compatibility with 26 file formats, reinforcing the idea of using it as a portable archive for documentation.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1, as well as built-in speakers and microphones. This opens the door to secondary uses such as listening to audio, recording voice memos, or connecting wireless accessories. I don't think anyone buys a BOOX Go 10.3 Gen II for its speakers. But I appreciate that they're there. They're one of those features that seem minor until you need them in a meeting or class.
Android makes the difference
The upgrade to Android 15 is one of the strongest selling points of this generation. Many e-ink tablets suffer from closed, limited systems or are overly dependent on the manufacturer's apps. BOOX plays a different game: it maintains its own interface and apps, but allows access to the Google Play Store.
The key is to understand it as a tool for calm work. Kindle, Kobo, Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, PDF managers, or reading apps can fit in very well. Instagram, YouTube, or apps designed for fast scrolling and vibrant colors are the exact opposite of what this device aims to be.
Battery and autonomy
The battery is 3700 mAh. On a conventional tablet, that figure would sound modest, even just enough. With e-ink, the conversation changes. This type of screen consumes much less power when displaying static content, so reading, taking notes, or reviewing documents can extend battery life for days or even weeks, depending on usage.
- We've enjoyed 10 days without charging…
Actual battery life will depend heavily on whether you constantly use Wi-Fi, Android apps, cloud syncing, or the front light. But the philosophy remains clear: this isn't a device designed to be constantly plugged in.
Editor's opinion
We are dealing with a niche product, but an increasingly relevant niche: that of those who need technology to think, not just to consume.
It's not cheap, it's not for everyone, and it doesn't pretend to be spectacular. But that's precisely where its appeal lies. The BOOX Go 10.3 Gen II is a quiet, slim, and focused tool, one that doesn't try to steal your attention, but rather to give it back. The question is whether that promise justifies the 419,99 euros for the standard model or 449,99 euros for the Lumi version.