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Onyx Android 12 Released Oct 2023

Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C

7.8 / 10
Compass Score
Based on 13 critic reviews
How we score →
Android 12 Operating system
10.3" Screen size
— Main camera
Snapdragon 680 Octa-core Processor
64 GB Storage
3,700 mAh Battery

Verdict

Light and versatile, this wraps superb note-taking into a sleek design for those prioritizing usability and functionality.

+
What's good
+ Lightweight and portable
+ Excellent note-taking features
+ Color display useful for PDF highlights
+ Access to Google Play Store
+ Long battery life
−
What's not
− Slow startup
− Handwriting conversion cumbersome
− Weak speaker quality
− Limited to native apps for handwriting
− High price point
By category

Key specs

What critics say

Critic consensus

Compass Score
13 reviews
weighted by credibility
PC Magazine
PC Magazine
8

“The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C's color screen, flexible Android operating system, and high-end build make it a terrific E Ink tablet for reading and taking notes.”

Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck
7.8

“The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C enables fatigue-free reading, handwritten notes and expands its functionality with Android apps.”

TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews
7

“An E Ink tablet that is a more open, and pretty compelling, alternative to the Kindle Scribe and ReMarkable tablets. That openness comes with compromises in battery life and ease of use, though, and it’s important not to expect too much from the colour screen.”

Pocket-lint
Pocket-lint
9

“The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C is a color E Ink tablet with fantastic tools for note-taking. It runs on a simplified version of Android 12, which is easy to use and customizable. Plus, it provides access to the Google Play Store, so you can download all your favorite apps.”

Videos

Watch before you decide

Comparison
ONYX BOOX Note Air3 C vs Note Air4 C! Side-by-side Comparision
Kit Betts-Masters

In Depth

Design

The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C is all about combining functional minimalism with a high-end touch. Reviewers praised its lightweight nature, comparing it to more cumbersome devices, like the iPad Pro, and noted its sturdy build using premium materials like aluminum. This ensures a robust yet portable device, allowing for easy transportation in bags or during travel.

Another design highlight is the thoughtfully placed thicker bezel on one side. It provides a secure grip without compromising the display area, ensuring comfort during long reading or note-taking sessions. As experts stated, it feels great in hand and is complemented by its strategic weight distribution for longer use without strain.

The accompanying stylus attaches magnetically, adding convenience for users who want to keep everything together. While reviewers noted the magnetic strength could improve, its overall design matches the tablet’s aesthetic, enhancing the user experience. “It feels great in your hand, even without a case,” remarked an expert, and the convenience of expandable storage via a microSD card slot offers flexibility for additional content.

Display(s)

The Boox Note Air 3 C offers a unique E Ink screen with color capabilities. The colors allow for enhanced note-taking and reading experiences, making your notes stand out.

While colors aren’t as vibrant as standard screens, they bring documents to life, perfect for highlighting text and sketching. “Color E Ink is like seeing pictures in print newspapers,” explains PCMag reviewers.

You’ll appreciate the gentle drag and paper-like feel of the screen, offering a comfortable and natural writing experience.

Performance

The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C offers a commendable performance for everyday tasks like taking notes and reading. Reviewers frequently mention its smooth handwriting recognition and light touch lag, making it easy for you to glide across the screen with the provided stylus.

“Even with my messy writing, the AI tool does a fantastic job of figuring out what I wrote,” shared a Pocket-lint reviewer. However, boot-up time continues to be a significant pain point, with some users noting that it takes longer than expected to power on.

While the Android 12 platform adds flexibility with app installations, it can slow down with resource-heavy applications, making it potentially less efficient for processing intense multitasking tasks.

Software & Storage

You’ll appreciate the Android interface on the Note Air 3 C for its ability to download apps directly from the Google Play Store. This gives you access to many reading and productivity tools.

Experts highlight the intuitive design, stating “you can customize gestures and the menu bar,” making navigation easy and flexible.

While some reviewers had concerns about the system’s age, the standout feature remains the versatility of installing third-party apps for reading and productivity, expanding its capability far beyond typical e-readers.

Cameras

The Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C doesn’t come with built-in cameras, an uncommon choice in a market where most tablets include them. It centers instead around enhancing the writing and reading capabilities, appealing directly to those who prioritize these tasks over photography.

One reviewer from Mobile Analyst points out, “It’s great for taking notes, but I wish it loaded a little faster,” indicating the focus on productivity rather than multimedia.

Without a camera, you avoid the distractions that often accompany photo-taking, allowing for deeper immersion in reading and writing applications.

Battery

You’ll appreciate the Boox Note Air 3 C’s battery, capable of enduring days with light use. If your usage involves reading or note-taking, you might go weeks without needing a charge, making this a reliable choice for extended trips or busy days. Experts highlight this as a key feature of the device.

Charging is via USB-C, letting you skip the frequent charging many other tablets demand. When using battery-draining applications or leaving Wi-Fi active, you’ll experience shorter battery life, but with typical reading or note-taking, expect outstanding stamina without constant worry about charging.

Audio

The audio capabilities of this tablet have room for improvement. Reviewers from Pocket-lint note that the speakers “are quite poor,” making the listening experience less enjoyable when watching videos or playing games.

Using Bluetooth headphones can dramatically improve the audio quality when streaming media. The device supports Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect your audio devices.

While the speakers might not deliver rich sound, pairing with good-quality headphones can enhance the experience whether you’re on a call or watching videos.

The Bottom Line

This tablet combines a friendly note-taking experience with smooth performance in a portable form. Readers enjoyed the “paper-like” feel when writing, making it ideal for enthusiasts of handwritten notes. While it excels in portability and usability, note that startup can be sluggish, which may tease a patient temperament. The stylus, which doesn’t require charging, and access to various apps add to its practical value for those who value flexibility and customization in a tablet.

Common questions

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