inkBOOK Focus Color Unboxing: First Look at the 7.8" E-Ink Reader

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

• 📦 The inkBOOK Focus Color comes with the device, a Type-C to Type-A charging cable, and a manual.
• ⚠️ The unit tested had a low battery and appeared to be brand new, requiring immediate charging.

Color vs. Black and White Versions

• ⚡ The color display consumes more battery than the black and white version, potentially double the energy due to a double-layered screen.
• 📚 For maximum battery life, the black and white version is recommended; for color, the Focus Color is the option.

Display and Performance

• 📱 The device features a 7.8-inch E-Ink display with 4,096 colors and a resolution of 1872x1404 pixels (300 PPI for B&W, 150 PPI for color).
• 🐌 Powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex A55 processor, the device is described as sluggish and slow, especially during setup and operation.
• 🐢 The overall user experience is characterized by significant delays, making it feel unresponsive.

Software and Storage

• 🤖 The inkBOOK Focus Color runs on Android 11, which contributes to its slow performance and battery drain.
• 💾 It offers 32 GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 2 TB via a micro SD card, sufficient for approximately 20,000 ebooks.
• 💽 It has 2 GB of RAM, which is considered low for a device running a full OS.

Build Quality and Design

• 👍 Despite the performance issues, the build quality is surprisingly premium, with a solid feel, decent texture on the back plastic, and no hollow or cheap plastic sensation.
• 📐 The design is somewhat unusual, with a convexed back that is thinner at the edges and thicker in the middle.
• 📖 It includes multiple buttons for page-flipping, a home button, and a power button on the back.

Pricing and Alternatives

• 💰 The color version is priced around $270-290, with the black and white version being about $50 cheaper.
• 🧐 For the price, the performance is considered a major drawback, with comparable devices like Onyx Boox offering better speed and features for a similar cost.
• 🤔 The reviewer suggests considering alternatives that offer a snappier experience if responsiveness is a priority.