I recently get the Boox Go 7, and I was super impressed. I bought this because I was tired of being locked into one reading ecosystem. I just want a e-reader that give me freedom and flexibility. This little device pack a punch. This article highlights the pros and cons so you make a good decision.
Its Thin, Light, and Ergonomic
Let’s start with the design. The Go 7 is thin—just 6.4 millimeters. It weigh under 200 grams, lighter than most phones. You can use this for hours, single-handedly, with no discomfort.
What make it different? It have an asymmetric bezel with physical page-turn buttons. This addition improve grip and ergonomics. On the body, you also get a USB-C with OTG support, a speaker, and a microSD slot that support up to 2 terabytes. That’s unheard of here.
Crisp Reading Experience
Now, the display. The 7-inch Carta 1300 E-Ink screen is sharp, with 300 PPI. Text is crisp; ghosting is minimal. Contrast is excellent. It is one of the best monochrome panels available.
But it isn’t perfect. Compared to Kindle, the Kindle’s blacks look deeper. This is probably due to proprietary coatings. The Go 7 has better hardware, but Kindle may still win on pure text depth. Honestly, this difference is barely noticeable.
The front light system is fully adjustable, from cool blue to warm amber. It great for late-night reading. Just a warning: the white bezel can reflect light and create a halo effect in dark mode. The black bezel avoids this; it’s better for outdoor use.
Open System
Here’s where the Go 7 really shine: software. It run Android 13 and give you full access to the Google Play Store. This mean you install Kindle, Kobo, Libby, and more. You aren’t stuck with one system. You get freedom, just like any tablet.
Boox Go 7 supports nearly every file format: EPUB, PDF, CBR, you name it. No conversions needed. You can read PDFs too, especially in landscape mode. I still recommend larger screens for serious PDF work.
Boox also include advanced refresh settings. You can freeze background apps to save battery or tweak refresh rates for smoother scrolling.
E-Ink Modes
To make Android apps work, Boox includes three refresh modes:
- Recommend: Lets the system pick the best setting.
- Fast Refresh: Best for quick scrolling, like browsing.
- Customize: Lets you mix and match settings.
I use Recommend; for most people, this works fine. This give you powerful flexibility, but it brings complexity. The interface can feel scattered. This is a learning curve, but it pay off if you want full control.
Performance and Battery
The Go 7 packs a Snapdragon Octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM. That is serious power for an E-Ink device. It fast, responsive, and handle multitasking well. You won’t have performance issues.
Here’s the catch: battery life. With a 2,300mAh battery and full Android OS, you charge this every 1–2 days with heavy use. That’s far from the weeks-long battery life of traditional e-readers. Battery drain faster than Kindle.
Stylus and Controls
Let’s talk stylus. I haven’t use this with a stylus, and I don’t plan to use InkSense. I am traditional; I like my WACOM technology. I use this mostly for reading. The 7-inch screen isn’t ideal for serious note-taking anyway.
The physical page-turn buttons are excellent, though: responsive, well-placed, and paired with auto-rotation. You can use them left- or right-handed.
Comparison
The Go 7 costs about $50 more than the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. But you get Android, stylus support, expandable storage, and physical buttons.
Compared to the Kobo Libra 2, the Go 7 is faster and more flexible. But Kobo’s interface is simpler, and its battery lasts longer.
Pros and Cons
The Pros include: Android 13 with Google Play, fast performance, the excellent Carta 1300 display, physical buttons, expandable storage, and stylus support.
The Cons are: short battery life, a higher price, a complex interface, a limited writing experience, the white bezel halo effect, and no WACOM tech.
The Boox Go 7 isn’t for everyone. If you just want to read books easily, stick with Kindle or Kobo.
But if you are a power user, a manga fan, or just someone who want total freedom from closed ecosystems, this is the most capable compact e-reader you can buy.