Honestly, the tech world moves way too fast. We are constantly chasing the next PPI bump or a faster refresh rate, but every once in a while, a device comes out that just sticks. The Boox Nova 3, specifically the Color version released by Onyx back in early 2021, is one of those weird, stubborn pieces of hardware. It wasn't perfect. In fact, it was kind of a gamble. But even now, people are scouring eBay and Reddit to find used units in good condition.
Why?
Because it was one of the first times we saw E-Ink Kaleido Plus technology in a form factor that actually made sense for real-world use. It wasn't just a reader; it was a full Android tablet that didn't destroy your eyes.
The Reality of Kaleido Plus on the Nova 3
If you've ever looked at a standard Kindle, you know that crisp, high-contrast black and white look. It’s basically paper. When Onyx dropped the Nova 3 Color, they were trying to bring that same "paper" feel to comics, digital notes, and even basic web browsing. But here’s the thing most people get wrong about these screens: they aren't vibrant.
If you go into this expecting an iPad Pro or a Samsung Galaxy Tab, you’re going to be disappointed. Period.
The Nova 3 Color uses a color filter array. Basically, they put a layer over the standard 300 PPI monochrome screen to produce colors. This drops the color resolution down to 100 PPI. It looks a bit like newsprint. Sorta grainy. A little washed out. But for a specific group of people—specifically digital note-takers and long-form readers—that "newsprint" look is actually a feature, not a bug. It reduces the harsh blue light that keeps you awake at night and causes that mid-afternoon eye strain we all love so much.
Performance That Actually Held Up
Most e-readers are slow. They feel like they're running on a potato. The Nova 3 was different because Onyx actually put a decent processor in it. It shipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636.
By smartphone standards, that’s ancient history. But for an e-ink device? It was a powerhouse.
It allowed for something called "A2 Mode." This is basically a high-refresh setting that lets you scroll through a website or even watch a grainy YouTube video without the screen constantly flashing to refresh. You’ve probably seen those annoying black flashes on older Kindles. The Nova 3 minimized that. It made using the Google Play Store a legitimate possibility rather than a frustrating gimmick. You could actually run Slack, OneNote, or even a basic browser without losing your mind.
The Stylus Factor
The Wacom layer on this device is arguably its best feature. There is zero lag. Well, effectively zero. When you use the included stylus (or a better one like the Lamy Al-Star EMR), the ink appears almost instantly.
Onyx’s native Note app is surprisingly deep. You get layers. You can export to PDFs with your handwritten annotations in color, which is a massive deal for students or researchers. Imagine marking up a medical diagram or a circuit board layout. On a Kindle, you’re stuck with grey. On the Nova 3, your red "IMPORTANT" notes actually show up as red when you send them to your laptop.
What the Critics Missed
A lot of reviewers back then complained about the screen brightness. They weren't totally wrong. Because of the extra color layer, the screen is naturally darker than a standard black-and-white E-Ink Carta display. You have to use the front light more often.
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But here is the nuance: the front light on the Nova 3 Color is strictly cool-toned. Unlike the standard Nova 3 (the monochrome version), the Color model lacks the "warm light" adjustment. This was a hardware limitation of the Kaleido Plus screen at the time. Does it matter? To some, yes. If you love that orange, candle-lit glow for reading in bed, the Nova 3 Color might feel a bit clinical.
However, the versatility of having Android 10 (which was the OS at launch) meant you weren't locked into a single ecosystem. You could use the Kindle app, Kobo, Libby, and your own sideloaded EPUBs all on one device. Most e-readers are walled gardens. The Nova 3 was a literal open field.
Dealing With the "Ghosting" Issue
If you're looking to pick one up now, you need to know about ghosting. It’s the Achilles' heel of color e-ink.
When you move from a colorful image to a white page, you’ll often see a faint "ghost" of the previous image. It’s just how the physical ink particles work. Onyx tried to fix this with their software "refresh" button, which you can map to the navigation ball. It’s a quirk you get used to. Honestly, after three days of use, your brain starts to tune it out. It's like the notch on an iPhone—you notice it at first, and then it just disappears into the background of your experience.
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Is It Still Worth It Today?
We are seeing newer models now, like the Tab Ultra C or the newer Nova Air series, but the Nova 3 remains a sweet spot for many because of the size. 7.8 inches is the "Goldilocks" zone. It's big enough to read a comic book without squinting, but small enough to shove into a jacket pocket.
Why People Still Buy It:
- It's lighter than almost any modern tablet.
- The battery lasts for weeks if you turn off Wi-Fi.
- It’s an incredible distraction-free writing tool.
- You can sideload basically any Android APK.
If you find a Nova 3 at a good price, check the battery health. That’s usually the first thing to go. Because these devices are often left in drawers for months, the lithium-ion batteries can degrade or, in rare cases, swell. But if the frame is flat and the screen is clear, the hardware is remarkably resilient.
Taking the Next Steps with Your Device
If you happen to own a Nova 3 or are about to buy one, don't just use the default settings. The "out of the box" experience is actually kind of mediocre. To get the most out of it, you need to dive into the App Optimization settings.
Long-press on any app icon and select "Optimization." From there, you can manually adjust the "DPI" and the "Dark Color Enhancement." This is the secret sauce for making the color E-Ink look vibrant. For apps like Instagram (which is weird on E-Ink but doable), crank the vibrancy up. For reading apps, keep it low to preserve the battery.
Also, ditch the stock stylus if you can. The hardware supports almost any EMR pen. Finding a pen with a "eraser" button on the top makes the workflow feel much more natural, especially if you're using it for professional markups.
The Nova 3 wasn't just a gadget; it was a proof of concept that stuck the landing. It proved that we don't need 120Hz OLED screens for everything. Sometimes, a slow, thoughtful, and easy-on-the-eyes experience is exactly what the workday needs.
Quick Setup Checklist for New Users:
- Enable Google Play Store: Go to Settings > Applications and check "Enable Google Play." You'll need to register the GSF ID, which takes about 5-20 minutes to activate.
- Customize the Side Button: Use the navigation ball to create shortcuts for "Screen Refresh" and "Back." It saves you a lot of tapping.
- Calibrate the Stylus: Do this immediately in the settings. If the nib is even a millimeter off, it will drive you crazy.
- Install a Custom Launcher: If you hate the Onyx UI, something like "Nova Launcher" or "Niagara" works surprisingly well on E-Ink, provided you set the refresh mode to A2.