Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C specifications and in-depth review

Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C

Manufacturer: Onyx

The Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C is a 10.3-inch e-reader from Boox designed for reading, note-taking, and document handling. Weighing 430 g with a slim 5.8 mm profile, it runs on an open-source Android-based platform that supports a wide range of apps and customization options. Its color e-paper display is self-lit and features an anti-reflection coating, making it usable across varied lighting conditions without the harshness of a conventional backlit screen.

Under the hood, the device is equipped with 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage, and a CPU running at 8 cores at 2 GHz each, with support for up to 2 TB of additional external memory. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.1, while the 3,700 mAh rechargeable battery charges via USB Type-C. The Note Air 4 C also supports 26 file formats, text-to-speech, stereo speakers, on-device machine learning, split-screen multitasking, and offline voice recognition, rounding out a broad feature set for an e-paper device.

Pros
  • The 10.3-inch e-paper display delivers a pixel density of 300 ppi at 1860 x 2480 px resolution, producing sharp text and detailed rendering suitable for reading and note-taking
  • The self-lit screen combined with an anti-reflection coating makes the display usable across a wide range of lighting environments without glare
  • With 64 GB of internal storage and an external memory slot supporting up to 2000 GB, there is substantial room for large document and media libraries
  • The 8-core CPU at 2 GHz paired with 6 GB of RAM provides a capable foundation for multitasking, split-screen use, and running multiple apps
  • At just 5.8 mm thick, the slim profile makes the device relatively easy to handle during extended reading or writing sessions
  • The platform is free and open source, and supports 26 file formats along with offline voice recognition, text-to-speech, and on-device machine learning
Cons
  • At 430 g, the device is on the heavier side for an e-reader, which may cause fatigue during prolonged one-handed use
  • The battery does not support fast charging or wireless charging, meaning recharging relies solely on a wired USB Type-C connection at standard speeds
  • There is no 3.5 mm headset jack, limiting wired audio options for users who prefer headphones
  • The display does not include branded damage-resistant glass, offering less protection against physical impact or scratching
  • No cellular connectivity is available, restricting internet access to Wi-Fi only
Who is this for?

This device is well suited to avid readers, students, and professionals who need a capable e-reader for handling large volumes of documents, PDFs, and diverse file formats. With support for 26 file types and up to 2000 GB of expandable storage, it accommodates users who maintain extensive libraries. The open-source platform, split-screen multitasking, and on-device machine learning also make it a solid fit for note-taking and annotation workflows, while the self-lit 300 ppi e-paper display is particularly well suited to those who read for extended periods and want a screen that is easy on the eyes across varied lighting conditions.

Who is this NOT for?

Users looking for a lightweight, easy-to-hold device for casual one-handed reading may find the 430 g weight uncomfortable over long sessions. Those who rely on mobile data for connectivity will be limited by the absence of a cellular module, making this a poor fit for users who need internet access away from Wi-Fi. Additionally, anyone seeking a device for media consumption through wired headphones will be hindered by the lack of a 3.5 mm audio jack, and users who frequently need quick recharging will find the absence of fast charging and wireless charging inconvenient.

Design:

weight 430 g
volume 252.9844 cm³
width 193 mm
thickness 5.8 mm
height 226 mm

The Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C has a height of 226 mm and a width of 193 mm, giving it a footprint suited to a full-size e-reader experience. At just 5.8 mm thick, the device maintains a notably slim profile, while its weight of 430 g and total volume of 252.98 cm³ reflect a build that balances screen size with physical presence.

Display:

screen size 10.3"
is self-lit
pixel density 300 ppi
Has an e-paper display
has a touch screen
has anti-reflection coating
resolution 1860 x 2480 px
has branded damage-resistant glass

The device features a 10.3″ e-paper touch screen with a resolution of 1860 x 2480 px and a pixel density of 300 ppi, delivering sharp, detailed rendering across text and graphics. It is self-lit and includes an anti-reflection coating, reducing glare for more comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions. The display does not incorporate branded damage-resistant glass.

Performance:

internal storage 64GB
has an external memory slot
RAM 6GB
CPU speed 8 x 2 GHz
maximum amount of external memory supported 2000GB

The device is powered by an 8-core CPU running at 2 GHz per core and comes paired with 6 GB of RAM, providing a capable foundation for handling documents, apps, and multitasking. It includes 64 GB of internal storage and an external memory slot that supports expansion up to 2000 GB, offering considerable flexibility for users with large media or document libraries.

Connectivity:

has a cellular module
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Has Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 5.1
has a search browser
has NFC
has an HDMI output

Wireless connectivity is handled through Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), alongside Bluetooth 5.1 for peripheral and device pairing. A built-in browser is also included for web access. The device does not support cellular connectivity, NFC, or HDMI output.

Battery:

battery power 3700 mAh
Has USB Type-C
has a removable battery
Supports fast charging
has wireless charging
has a rechargeable battery
has a battery level indicator

The device is equipped with a 3700 mAh rechargeable battery that charges via USB Type-C, and it includes a battery level indicator to keep track of remaining charge. The battery is non-removable, and the device does not support fast charging or wireless charging.

Features:

has a built-in speaker
has dictionary
supported file types 26
supports text-to-speech
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has GPS
has stereo speakers
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has a radio
has a front camera
has a built-in HDR mode
has a child lock
has a gyroscope

On the audio side, the device includes stereo speakers with text-to-speech support, though it lacks a 3.5 mm headset jack. A built-in dictionary is available alongside support for 26 file types, making it versatile for reading across a range of document formats. The display features a built-in HDR mode, and motion sensing is handled by both an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The device does not include GPS, a compass, a radio, a front camera, or a child lock.

Miscellaneous:

has media picker
has notification permissions
has Mail Privacy Protection
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
blocks cross-site tracking
can block app tracking
has Quick Start
has dynamic theming
is a multi-user system
Has customizable notifications
has clipboard warnings
has on-device machine learning
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
Supports widgets
has theme customization
has focus modes
has dark mode
supports split screen
has full-page screenshots
supports slow-motion video recording
Has sharing intents
has Live Text
has voice commands
has an extra dim mode
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has battery health check
Can play games while they download
Has offline voice recognition
can offload apps
has PiP
can create panoramas in-camera
Is free and open source

The software side of the device is notably broad, covering privacy and customization through features such as location privacy options, camera and microphone access controls, app tracking blocking, clipboard warnings, and dynamic theming with full theme customization and dark mode. It supports multi-user operation, customizable notifications, notification permissions, a media picker, widgets, split-screen multitasking, Picture-in-Picture, sharing intents, Live Text, voice commands, and offline voice recognition. Additional capabilities include on-device machine learning, device position tracking, full-page screenshots, slow-motion video recording, in-camera panorama capture, an extra dim mode, and the ability to play content while downloading. The platform is free and open source. Features not present include Mail Privacy Protection, cross-site tracking blocking, Quick Start, focus modes, Wi-Fi password sharing, battery health check, and the ability to offload apps.

Final Verdict

The Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C positions itself as a capable, feature-rich e-reader for users who need more than a basic reading device. Its 10.3-inch self-lit e-paper display at 300 ppi, combined with broad file format support, generous expandable storage, and an open-source platform that enables multitasking and on-device machine learning, makes it a well-rounded tool for readers, students, and document-heavy workflows. The trade-offs — notably its weight, the absence of fast or wireless charging, and the lack of a 3.5 mm audio jack — mean it is best suited to users who prioritize functionality and versatility over portability. For those who fit that profile, the Note Air 4 C delivers a solid and capable e-reading experience.

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