Paper or electronic ink? The question is debatable, and since it is customary to discuss gadgets here, today we will talk about an e-book Onyx Boox Volta 4. The Volta line is systematically and regularly updated, but it was the fourth generation that made a huge step in technical terms. Here is a new platform for Onyx Boox from Qualcomm, and fresh Android 11 instead of 4.4, and even USB-C instead of microUSB. That is, the iron was brought up to the modern level, without touching the format of the compact reader.
Specifications
- Screen: 6 inches, E-Ink Carta, 1024×758 pixels, 16 grayscale.
- Backlight: MOON Light 2 with variable color temperature.
- Operating system: Android 11.
- Chipset: Qualcomm QCS2290, 11 nm.
- CPU: Cortex-A53 (4×2 GHz).
- GPU: Adreno 702.
- Memory: 2/16 GB, microSD card.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac.
- Battery: 3000 mAh, USB-C charging.
- Dimensions: 156 x 112.5 x 8.8 mm, 160 grams (280 grams with case).
- Features: eco-leather case included.
Appearance and convenience
The design has really remained the same, it is almost impossible to visually distinguish the current Onyx Boox Volta 4 from the previous one. This is a 6-inch compact, whose integral part is a cover-book made of beautiful leather-look material. The appearance is insanely noble: embossing, stitching and dark brown decide.
Without a case, the body pleases with matte plastic coated with soft-touch. I think that the complete continuity of design and ergonomics is even for the better, since Onyx Book has long been verified by Volta, and there is no place for empty experiments – an e-book should be comfortable.
The reader in total with the cover weighs 260 grams, that is, it is noticeably lighter than any tablet, and even smaller in size than the same iPad mini. It is convenient to take the reader with you everywhere to read anywhere: at home, on the road, at school. Volta 4 is equally comfortable to hold in one or two hands without fear of dropping and breaking fragile electronic ink.
The cover really saves: in itself it is hard and covers the screen with a cover. However, as soon as you turn it “backward”, everything falls into place: Volta 4 is middle class and at the ends of the cover, a not very beautiful base made of inexpensive plastic looks out from under the attractive “skin”. The view doesn’t spoil much, so I won’t scold for it, just keep in mind.
Display and reading
As with design, Onyx Boox don’t trade a very good screen for a better one for the sake of ostensible progress. A good familiar 6-inch E-Ink Carta matrix with 16 shades of gray is installed here. The resolution is 1024×758 pixels, and it is not worth comparing it directly with conventional screens. Volta 4 has no pixelation, and any text on the screen is indistinguishable from paper. Partial updating of information without artifacts, which is usually not available to E-Ink, is possible with proprietary SNOW Field technology.
Electronic ink does not have a backlight, but this does not apply to Volta 4. The book is equipped with MOON Light 2 with independent adjustment of warm and cold glow. During the day, you can choose a cold light, and before going to bed – a warm one. The backlight does not tire your eyesight, there is no PWM at any brightness levels.
Do you want a bigger screen? No! The font size and style, indents and line spacing are adjusted to your taste and visual abilities, it is comfortable to read in any conditions. The pre-installed AI Reader X Pro is as flexible as possible in terms of displaying text, and it also displays pictures well, taking into account the features of E-Ink. Although for textbooks with infographics and drawings, you should choose a larger reader. In summary, a 6-inch diagonal is not in vain considered the optimum for reading.
The font size determines how often you have to turn pages. To do this, there are a couple of keys on the case – a find and a feature of the Volta series.
Additional features
Since Onyx Boox books run on Android, the possibilities are not limited to just reading. And Volta 4 also has a fresh version of Android 11 with new Qualcomm QCS2290 hardware and 2 GB of RAM. This means that there will be no problems with third-party applications, as long as the interface looks decent in BW-form with 16 shades of gray.
Listening to music on Bluetooth headphones while reading a book, or even switching to online podcasts, is not a problem. I also liked the opportunity to read the news in electronic ink from your favorite application or play a puzzle game without graphic tricks. Yes, at least roam the Internet, thanks to a full-fledged browser and dual-band Wi-Fi. In a sense, Volta 4 resembles a regular tablet, but adjusted for the features of E-Ink. The same applies to independence, it is unlikely that you will have to connect the reader to a computer. Books can be downloaded from the network, transferred over a local network, or simply copied from a USB flash drive, thanks to OTG. Inside for this 16 GB of memory, there is a slot for microSD.
What can not be taken away from Onyx Boox is the smart adaptation of the system to the features of electronic ink. The entire interface is predominantly contoured and without animations. First of all, the user is greeted by a showcase with books and a library where all the downloaded content is collected. On the second tab, the file manager, then the application menu and settings.
Autonomy and USB-C
Another new thing was the USB-C connector. There is nothing special to comment on here, the decision is certainly correct. The battery life of the Volta 4 is impressive, as the e-ink consumes little energy, and is directly dependent on the use of backlight and wireless interfaces. These are the most gluttonous options. To save money, the system has a sleep timeout (5 minutes by default) and a full shutdown (15 minutes by default). There is also an automatic shutdown of wireless interfaces.
Review after a month of use
Technology for e-books has long been established, so the main characteristics of Onyx Boox Volta 4 rightly inherited from its predecessors. I’m talking about a successful thin design and a decent backlit E-Ink Carta matrix. I also really like the branded case, which is a feature of Onyx Boox. After a couple of years, you can buy a new case and return the reader to its original form.
But the entire harness for Volta 4 has been properly updated, so this reader will remain relevant much longer than its predecessors and competitors on outdated hardware. A fresh Android is needed to install the latest versions of auxiliary applications, for example, the same music streaming and podcasts. With USB-C, all gadgets can be charged with one wire. The quality and user experience of the Volta 4 is top notch, Onyx Boox makes quality things that are comfortable to use. And as a gift, the novelty will definitely make the right impression.
Pros:
- continuity of successful design and format;
- high-quality leather case with lid and keys;
- matrix E-Ink Carta with two-tone backlight MOON Light 2;
- updated Android 11 with support for Google apps;
- shell adapted for electronic ink;
- long battery life.
May not like:
- there is no speaker and audio jack, the sound is connected via Bluetooth.
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