Boox launches the Picco, a tiny $100 e-reader that attaches to the back of your phone

Product Overview

Boox has officially launched the Picco, the first in a new category of smaller, cheaper e-readers from the company. Pre-orders are now open for the device, which can attach to the back of a smartphone. It is expected to begin shipping in the US in October for $100.

The Picco represents Boox's entry into the emerging ultra-portable e-reader market. Unlike its competitors, the Picco sacrifices some versatility to achieve the smallest size and lowest price in Boox's entire catalog.

Specifications

• Screen: 3.97-inch monochrome e-ink touchscreen with a 480 x 800 resolution at 235 PPI
• Front light: Included
• Page-turning: Physical page-turning buttons
• Storage: Ships with a 16GB microSD card, but storage is expandable up to 2TB
• Weight: Only 58g
• Dimensions: 105.5 x 62 x 5.5mm

Design & Dimensions

Weighing only 58g and measuring just 105.5 x 62 x 5.5mm, the Picco attaches to the rear of a smartphone using a MagSafe connector, similar to the Xteink X4.

Software & Operating System

Compared with other Boox devices, the Picco's main drawback is that it does not use Android. Instead, it runs a minimalist operating system with the following built-in apps:

• Pomodoro
• Todo
• Countdown

While it still supports numerous document and image formats, the company's other e-readers and tablets allow users to install any Google Play Store app or Android APK. This contrasts with the $80 Xteink, which uses unlocked firmware, and the $340 Palma 3, which offers digital pen functionality.

Users can transfer e-books and other documents to the Picco in three ways:

1. Boox Tiles app - available on mobile devices
2. Web-based tool - at booxtiles.com
3. Direct USB-C connection

Market Positioning

Boox calls the Picco the first member of its "Tiles" tier of devices, opening a new size category below its 6- to 7-inch e-readers. Its reveal follows a broad refresh of the company's product stack that also includes the recently launched Palma 3, the 10.3-inch Note Air6 C, and the 8.52-inch Note Mini C.

Perhaps the most significant upgrade is on the software side: excluding the Picco, its new devices have been upgraded from Android 11 to Android 16, expanding the range of supported apps and positioning them just one OS generation behind the latest Android phones.