Ive tested plenty of ereaders but the Onyx Boox Go 7 is the first Android-powered ebook reader I really like

Date:
Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:22:56 +0000

Description:
The Boox Go 7 is a fantastic Kindle Oasis replacement, with excellent performance and a long feature list but it will cost you.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Onyx Boox Go 7: Two-minute review

I received the Boox Go 7 months ago for review, along with the Boox Go Color
7 (Gen II), and Im glad I delayed my testing. A few firmware updates since I tested its color sibling have improved overall performance and I now have the new stylus for it.

Thats right: the Go 7 is more than just a basic ereader, offering stylus support and a native Notes app thats full featured. Youll need to purchase
the stylus separately, though, but thats not unprecedented youll need to do the same for the Kobo Libra Colour as well, for example. While the new InkSense Plus is an improvement over the older Boox InkSense pen previously sold, writing on the Go 7 isnt as nice as Ive experienced on other ereaders theres just not enough friction.

That said, the 7-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display here is the standout feature and theres nothing more important for an ereader than its screen. Right from the start, it made the Go 7 the better device compared to its sibling something I said in my Boox Go Color 7 (Gen II) review and I still stand by that statement putting it on par with the likes of the current-gen Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) . Text is sharp and crisp, while the overall reading experience is enhanced by very snappy performance. Page turns are quick, whether you want to tap to turn or use the buttons.

Speaking of which, access to the Google Play Store gives you a lot more flexibility on how you want to use the ereader the native apps are great,
but if you have personal preferences for specific reading or productivity
app, theyre easy to install, with fast load times and smooth third-party functionality.

Another reason I love a Boox device is the impressive file and font support. You can sideload a wide variety of files and fonts, and you dont even need a wired connection for that Google Drive and Dropbox support help with cloud transfer thats quick and easy. Transferring directly from a USB-C external hard drive or portable SSD is also remarkably simple and very fast and, in
all honesty, I dont see the need to tether this device to a PC at all for
file transfer.

The Boox interface has also improved but, as Ive said before in many of my previous reviews, theres still too much going on and some setting options are still hidden within the native app and accessed from different submenus. Better streamlining is definitely called for, which would be a huge help to first-time Boox users.

Another reason Im docking marks from the Go 7 is its lack of waterproofing. Given its price tag and that all its main competitors have IPX8
certification, its a huge oversight. If youre careful with it while traveling or reading by the pool, in the bath or near the kitchen sink, this is
arguably the best Boox device Ive tried in a long time. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Onyx Boox Go 7 review: price & availability Released in April 2025 in most major markets List price: $295.99 / 249.99 / AU$419 Available to buy directly from the Boox Shop and select retailers

It seems very strange to me that if youre in the US and you shop directly
from the online Boox Shop, the Go 7 costs more than the Go Color 7 (Gen II) the latter is listed at $279.99, while the former is $295.99 at full price at the time of writing.

On the other hand, the pricing for Europe and Australia makes more sense: 249.99 and AU$419 respectively for the Go 7 compared to 279.99 and AU$459 for the color variant.

No matter where you live, the monochrome Go 7 is a relatively expensive ereader, although it can be argued that its price is justified by the open operating system and 64GB of onboard storage thats expandable via a microSD card.

Moreover, its features include writing (although the InkSense Plus stylus
will need to be purchased separately for $45.99 / 45.99 / AU$69) and built-in stereo speakers (sound isnt great though). That said, not everyone will need the freedom that the Android operating system provides and the likes of the Kobo Libra Colour is cheaper at $229.99 / 209.99 / AU$379.95.

Value score: 4 / 5 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Onyx Boox Go
7 review: Specs

Display type:

E Ink Carta 1300

Screen size:

7 inches

Resolution:

300ppi (1680 x 1264)

CPU:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 690

Frontlight:

Warm and cold

Storage:

64GB (expandable)

Battery:

2,300mAh

Speaker:

Stereo/dual

Water protection:

None

Software:

Android 13

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz); Bluetooth 5.1

File support:

20 document; 4 image; 2 audio

Dimensions:

156 x 137 x 6.4 mm (6.1 x 5.4 x 0.25 inches)

Weight:

195g (6.9oz) Onyx Boox Go 7 review: design & display Crisp and clear 7-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display Slim, lightweight and compact body with page-turn buttons Features speakers and microSD card tray

The Go Color 7 II and the Go 7 are siblings, meaning theyre identical physically the only difference being the screen technology they use. In
fact, the design has been inherited from the original Go Color 7 and thats
not a bad thing at all. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

The Go 7 is slim, lightweight and compact enough to take with you anywhere. And the page-turn buttons are well placed to be just where your thumb would sit when holding the tablet in one hand. Personally, though, I would still prefer the old Kindle Oasis asymmetry (still used in the Kobo Libra Colour) that had a little extra thickness along the larger bezel to make it more ergonomic. The thinness of the Go 7 can make the fingers hurt if you're someone who reads for long hours. Having a case to add some overall thickness helps with this little issue.

I love how the page-turn buttons feel and work theres a nice little feedback that makes them satisfying to use. They become volume-adjustment buttons if youre using an app that doesnt need scrolling or page turning, which is nice since you can listen to audio files here. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

As with the color variants (Gen I and II), the rear is textured, and theres a small power button on the bottom right corner of the tablet. One slim edge is just thick enough to house a USB-C port for charging, as well as a microSD card tray and speaker grilles. A tiny mic is on the opposite edge.

Boox continues to steer clear of waterproofing for its ereaders, sadly, with the Go 7 also missing out. In my opinion, its an unforgivable oversight given its price tag. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

The star of the show, however, is the Go 7s display. As its name suggests,
its a 7-inch screen using E Inks Carta 1300 technology. This display has proved itself time and time again on other ereaders and does so again here where its been optimized well.

Text and images are displayed marvelously well and the anti-glare coating on top ensures bright overhead lights dont distract when youre reading. The LEDs for the screen are fantastic, far better than the screen light on the Go
Color 7 II. The light is brighter and not nearly as yellow as on the color version of this ereader. In fact, Im amazed at how different the two screens are the Go 7 is practically perfect while the Go 7 II is fuzzy and too warm.

Design & display score: 4.5 / 5 Onyx Boox Go 7 review: software & apps Runs a slim version of Android 13 with excellent native apps Full access to the Google Play Store offers a lot of freedom Clean user interface, but some settings are hidden in submenus

An ereader running Android is an excellent choice for anyone who doesnt want to get locked into either the Kindle or Kobo ecosystems. The freedom to use third-party apps or source content from any platform, can make a huge difference to the user experience.

That said, the native apps have plenty to offer and the average user may not even need to download anything else from the Play Store. The library app called NeoReader, for example, offers plenty of customization options that
you dont need to use MoonReader or KoReader unless thats really what you prefer. The same goes for the native Notes application too. Theres also a browser and music player, among other things.

Some of the third-party apps Ive used on this Boox device are Kindle, Kobo
and Evernote, but Ive used Libby on a different Boox ereader. Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

The Boox interface has evolved into a much cleaner version of the convoluted UI from years past, but theres still room for improvement. For example, its not at all obvious that theres some library settings in NeoReader hidden on the top menu bar under More its very easily missed unless you have the patience to explore every single menu option on the device.

The Notes app is also not available on the home screen navigation by default; you need to head into the devices System Settings to find it and apply it to be visible if you plan to use it often. For me, given the Boox Go 7 has
stylus support, the expectation is that the Notes app would be available by default on the home screen. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

I saw a major change in how the ebook styling menu in the library app was set up in 2025 and thats been carried over, which is a good thing. However, the complications still exist: tap in the middle of the screen when an ebook is open to bring up the menu, choose Style and the setup is much cleaner than before, but you need to tap on More Settings to adjust fonts, spacing and margins. These are much easier to access on a Kindle or Kobo.

Long story short: I can see the Boox UI is improving, but theres really just too much going on still and the average user doesnt need so many
customization options. I dont think even a power user like me needs so many options on an ereader. Less is more, Boox.

Software & apps score: 3.5 / 5 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Onyx Boox Go 7 review: user experience Arguably one of the best reading experiences on an electronic device Full featured, but takes some learning to get it set up for individual needs Not a great writing experience

Most of us read text-heavy books, so opting for a monochrome ereader makes economical sense as theres really no point in opting for a color screen if
you arent going to be viewing anything more than a book cover in color. But the Go 7 makes a much stronger case of being the better ereader compared to the Go Color 7 (Gen II) by offering a much nicer reading experience.

As Ive already alluded to in this review, the screen on the Go 7 is a standout. Text is sharp and theres good contrast too, making it one of the best Boox ereader Ive used. This is further enhanced by the fact that page turns are quick, whether via a tap on the screen or the buttons. That said, individual books take a little longer than the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
(2024) to open, but all other library functionality is snappy. Boox really
has done an excellent job of optimizing the E Ink Carta 1300 display for this device. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

Text selection for highlighting or annotating is also quick, and its very precise if you use the InkSense Plus stylus. However, the Boox Go 7 doesnt support global handwriting, which means you wont be able to annotate or
markup books using NeoReader and that's despite a feature called FreeMark (which allows you to write on the screen when any app is open but not annotate). The native Calendar (for memos) and Notes apps are the only places where there's default stylus support.

This might seem restrictive, and for a power user like me, that definitely
is, but the average user looking for a capable ereader wont necessarily need all the bells and whistles of a more advanced epaper tablet like the Boox
Note Air series. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)
Image 2 of 2 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

If you did want to use the Notes app, though, be warned the writing experience isnt great. The InkSense Plus glides over the screen with barely any friction and it can be a little disconcerting at first, but you do get used to it. That said, theres absolutely no lag and stylus input is instantaneous. Ive used it to write and draw crude designs on the Notes app and didnt mind it, but I would much prefer to use the Boox Go 7 as an ereader rather than a note-taker.

User experience score: 4 / 5 Onyx Boox Go 7 review: performance Fast and snappy performance Occasional ghosting only when reading image-heavy books Battery drain is higher compared to the competition

The Go 7 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM the same combo powering the color variant and performance is generally very good for an E Ink device.

While the NeoReader app isn't the fastest book loader, that's not a fault of the device but he application. However, using third-party apps is smooth,
with quick loads and all other functionality within them working well. Where Ive previously encountered third-party app crashes on older Boox tablets, I had no such issues here.

As with the Go Color 7 II, I found wired file transfer via OTG to be remarkably quick and, for the first time while testing a Boox tablet, I didnt even bother using Google Drive or BooxDrop to access my ebooks. I only signed into my Google account to access the Play Store.

Thanks to the Carta 1300 screen, the Go 7 doesnt suffer as much from ghosting as the color version. In fact, I had no ghosting while reading text-only books, but there was the occasional overlay when reading graphic novels,
which is common when reading image-heavy titles on epaper displays. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

Battery life, however, is disappointing. The expectation from an ereader boasting a 2,300mAh capacity pack would last a few weeks, but in real-world use Android devices like the Go 7 dont offer as much use on a single charge like a Kindle or Kobo.

If you have Wi-Fi switched on at all times, youll get about a week of use
when reading about two hours a day and the screen brightness set at medium levels. Youll eke out more with Wi-Fi (and Bluetooth) turned off and the
light dim.

Start doing more than just read and you will see the battery drain even faster. The browser and music player are power hungry, and the more you jot notes, the quicker the Go 7 will run out of juice. Battery drain even in
sleep mode is quite significant something Ive seen in nearly every Boox Ive tested to date.

While theres no quick charging here, you dont need to wait too long for the battery to top up. On average, the Go 7 took about two hours to go from 9% or 10% to full over the several months I used it when plugged into a USB-C port of a 65W wall charger. It will be slower if you use a dock connected to your PC or a USB-A to C cable, but this is quite standard for most ereaders.

Performance score: 4 / 5 Should I buy the Onyx Boox Go 7?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It's a relatively expensive device, but its open Android ecosystem could justify its price for many users.

4 / 5

Design & display

Lightweight and compact, this is a fantastic spiritual successor to Amazon's Kindle Oasis, with an equally fabulous screen to read on.

4.5 / 5

Software & apps

While Android offers a lot of flexibility on a device like this, Boox's interface requires a steep learning curve to master.

3.5 / 5

User experience

If you're use it solely for reading and the occasional productivity feature, it's fantastic. There are, however, restrictions on where stylus use is supported.

4 / 5

Performance

There's barely anything to complain about when it comes to performance, although keep an eye on the battery drain.

4 / 5

Overall

Boox makes good ereaders, but the Go 7 is arguably my favorite.

4 / 5 Buy it if...

You want a fantastic screen on an ereader

Giving the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite a run for its money, this 7-inch E Ink
Carta 1300 on the Go 7 is one of the best displays I've had the pleasure of using for reading ebooks. There just isn't enough friction to make writing as pleasurable, though.

The freedom of an Android operating system is enticing you

A lot has to be said to not being locked into the Amazon or Kobo walled garden. If you want to be able to use other apps on your ereader, this one is for you.

You want physical page-turn buttons on a lightweight and compact ereader

Even though the Kobo Libra Colour and the Go 7 share the same screen size,
the latter has an overall smaller footprint and is 4g lighter. While that's neither here nor there, page-turn buttons make using ereaders nicer when holding in one hand. Don't buy it if...

You want a no-frills, cheaper ereader

If the additional writing features and the ability to use third-party apps is overkill for your needs, you can save money by opting for, say, the base
model Amazon Kindle (2024) or the Kobo Clara BW .

You don't need stylus support

If your sole purpose of getting a new ereader is only reading, then it would be economical to look at other options like the 7-inch Kindle Paperwhite instead.

You want a dedicated writing tablet

For users keen on making full use of an epaper tablet's writing features, you'd be better off looking at a larger 10-inch alternative. They'll cost you more, but a bigger screen is better for both productivity and creativity.
Onyx Boox Go 7 review: Alternatives

If you're not sure whether the Boox Go 7 is worth picking up, I've listed a few alternatives below, with the Kobo Libra Colour, despite its color screen, being its closest rival from a design perspective. There are other standard ereaders as well and I've listed their specs in the table below to help you compare them all.

Onyx Boox Go 7

Kobo Libra Colour

Kobo Clara BW

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

Price

$295.99 / 249.99 (about 217) / AU$419

$229.99 / 209.99 / AU$379.95

$139.99 / 129.99 / AU$249.95

from $159.99 / 134.99 / AU$299

Screen

7-inch E Ink Carta 1300

7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3

6-inch E Ink Carta 1300

7-inch E Ink Carta 1300

Resolution

300ppi in B&W

300ppi in B&W 150ppi in color

300ppi in B&W

300ppi in B&W

Operating system

Android 13

Linux-based

Linux-based

Linux-based

Storage

64GB (expandable)

32GB

16GB

16GB

CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 690

Undisclosed 2GHz dual-core chipset

Undisclosed 2GHz dual-core chipset

Undisclosed 1GHz dual-core chipset

Battery

2,300mAh

2,050mAh

1,500mAh

Undisclosed

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (in select regions), USB-C

Waterproofing

None

IPX8

IPX8

IPX8

File support (including images and audio)

25

16

16

17

Speakers

Yes

No

No

No

Dimensions

156 x 137 x 6.4 mm

161 x 144.6 x 8.3 mm

112 x 160 x 9.2 mm

176.7 x 127.6 x 7.8 mm

Weight

195g

199.5g

174g

211g

Kobo Libra Colour

Its design looks dated, but the Kobo Libra Colour is my pick of the best ereader you can buy for good reason. Cheaper than the Go 7, it too has both reading and writing suites, but its overall interface is a lot more streamlined.
Read my in-depth Kobo Libra Colour review

Kobo Clara BW

If you don't want the writing features and a 6-inch ereader will suffice, the Kobo Clara BW is a good mid-range option to consider. It's waterproofed and offers seamless operation in a compact form factor.
Read my in-depth Kobo Clara BW review

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)

The 12th generation Kindle Paperwhite is a fantastic 7-inch ereader with a black-and-white screen that I'd recommend if you're already part of the
Amazon ecosystem. With direct access to the Kindle Store and a smoother interface than Boox, its E Ink Carta 1300 is one of the best optimized in the business.
Read my in-depth Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review How I tested the
Onyx Boox Go 7 (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

I might have had the Boox Go 7 for months, but I've used it on and off for maybe just two of those before writing this review. That's because I got distracted by other Boox devices...

I digress, though. For this review, I tried various ways to upload files, including signing into Google Drive. I moved one font folder over, but used the OTG support to import the ebooks I wanted on the device for my testing. I used the same method to transfer a couple of music files to test the built-in speaker as well.

I was sent the new InkSense Plus stylus towards the end of December and I was pleasantly surprised to see that setup was remarkably simple as long as the pen was charged.

From the Play Store, I downloaded the Kindle and Kobo apps to access my existing libraries and to test how third-party apps function. I also used Evernote and Libby on this device, plus downloaded CPU X to confirm what hardware was powering this device.

I used the stylus to both write and draw, but spent most of my testing hours reading. I did use the browser briefly.

I've been testing ereaders for nearly a decade now for TechRadar and built up a strong knowledge base to help me able to objectively compare different models from different brands and the Go 7 definitely stands out.

Read more about how we test

[ First published January 2026 ]



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