Onyx Boox Palma 3 Gets Aluminum Casing and Android 16 Upgrade

Onyx Boox disclosed that the Palma 3 e‑ink tablet will now ship with an aluminum chassis and will be upgraded to Android 16, while its hardware specs stay the same. This step reflects the firm’s aim to combine sturdier construction with the newest software capabilities without changing the performance users rely on.

The Palma 3, which debuted in a plastic housing, is now offered in a brushed‑aluminum shell that delivers a more solid feel and a premium look. The revision responds to long‑standing user concerns over the fragility of earlier versions and puts the device in line with other high‑end e‑readers that have moved to metal bodies for added toughness.

In addition to the exterior change, the tablet will be shipped with Android 16, the latest operating system at launch. This update introduces better power management, polished UI tweaks, and wider third‑party app compatibility, potentially widening the Palma 3’s role beyond reading to note‑taking, web browsing, and light productivity.

The internal hardware, however, remains untouched. It still houses a 10.3‑inch E Ink Carta screen, a Snapdragon processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, positioning it firmly in the mid‑range e‑ink tablet segment. By leaving the components unchanged, Onyx can introduce the refreshed model without raising the price, giving current owners a straightforward upgrade route.

Analysts observe that the sturdier build paired with the newest Android version could make the Palma 3 more attractive to professionals who need digital note‑taking in rugged settings. The refresh underscores Onyx’s incremental‑improvement strategy—enhancing durability and software while keeping the proven performance intact—rather than a full redesign. No launch date has been set, but the revised unit is expected to appear in stores within the next few weeks, providing shoppers a new choice in the crowded e‑ink tablet market.