PocketBook Q Brings a Slim Phone-Sized E-Reader, But Without Android
PocketBook Q is a 5.84-inch e-reader that is lighter and slimmer than rivals, but lacks Android, limiting app access. Priced at $235, it launches late fall.
The device measures 154 x 75.8 x 6.5mm and weighs 130g, making it smaller and lighter than both the Boox Palma 2 Pro and Viwoods AiPaper Reader, although its screen is slightly smaller than their 6.13-inch displays. It essentially sits between those larger phone-sized readers and the more compact Xteink X4 Pro, which has a 4.3-inch screen.
Hardware on the PocketBook Q includes a front light with adjustable brightness and color temperature, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 1,550mAh battery that reportedly allows for more than a month of reading on a single charge. Physical side buttons are available for page turning, and the device carries an IPX4 rating for splash and moisture resistance.
The PocketBook Q does not run Android. Instead, it operates on PocketBook OS, a Linux-based system. It comes with a handful of pre-installed apps, including a bookstore, browser, and dictionary, and supports Libby for borrowing digital library books. It also offers broad format compatibility for ebook and audio files, plus a text-to-speech tool. The lack of Android means users cannot install common reading apps such as Kindle or Kobo, a limitation that sets it apart from Boox and Viwoods devices but aligns it with Xteink.
According to TechRadar, the PocketBook Q will cost $235 / £175 (around AU$330) and is expected to launch in "late fall," likely in November.