E-Ink Tablets: reMarkable Paper Pro (Remarkable 3) vs. Boox Note Air 3 C

If you are looking for the “Remarkable 3,” you likely mean the newly released reMarkable Paper Pro. This device represents a massive leap forward for the company, finally introducing color and backlighting. However, it faces stiff competition from the Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C, a device that offers color e-ink along with the full power of Android. Choosing between them depends entirely on whether you want a dedicated digital notebook or a versatile e-ink tablet.

The Core Philosophy: Focus vs. Versatility

The biggest difference between these two devices is not just hardware. It is their philosophy.

The reMarkable Paper Pro is designed to replace your physical notebooks. It runs a custom, stripped-down operating system based on Linux. You cannot check email, browse social media, or watch videos. This limitation is intentional. The goal is to provide a digital environment where you can think and write without interruptions.

The Boox Note Air 3 C is an Android 12 tablet with an e-ink screen. It has the Google Play Store pre-installed. You can download Outlook, OneNote, Kindle, Notion, and even web browsers. It fits into a complex workflow where you might need to sign a PDF in one app and email it via another. However, this versatility opens the door to distractions.

Display and Writing Experience

For e-ink enthusiasts, the screen is everything. Here is how the two compare.

Screen Technology

  • Boox Note Air 3 C: It uses Kaleido 3 technology. This is the industry standard for color e-ink. It offers 300 PPI (pixels per inch) for black and white text and 150 PPI for color content. The screen is 10.3 inches.
  • reMarkable Paper Pro: This device uses a proprietary display called Canvas Color. It is larger at 11.8 inches. Like the Boox, it keeps black and white sharp but introduces a textured, pastel-like color palette for highlighting and sketching.

The Writing Feel

reMarkable has always been the king of “paper feel,” and the Paper Pro continues this legacy. The glass is textured to provide friction, sounding and feeling like a pencil on paper. The latency is incredibly low (12ms), meaning the ink flows almost instantly as you move your hand.

The Boox Note Air 3 C also offers a great writing experience. It comes with a pre-applied screen protector that gives it a “scratchy” feel similar to paper. However, because it runs on top of Android, you might occasionally notice slight lag depending on the app you are using. The native Notes app is fast, but third-party apps like OneNote may have more latency.

Front Light

Both tablets now have front lights (a feature previously missing from reMarkable devices).

  • Boox: Allows you to adjust both brightness and color temperature (warm vs. cool light).
  • reMarkable: The Paper Pro creates a gentle glow that illuminates the screen without shining directly into your eyes. It is specifically tuned to maintain the contrast of the color ink.

Hardware and Specs Breakdown

When you look at the raw numbers, the differences become clear.

Onyx Boox Note Air 3 C:

  • Processor: Qualcomm Octa-core 2.4GHz.
  • Storage: 64GB internal, plus a MicroSD card slot (crucial for expanding storage).
  • Battery: 3,700 mAh.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C.
  • Weight: Approximately 430g.

reMarkable Paper Pro:

  • Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A53.
  • Storage: 64GB internal (no expansion slot).
  • Battery: 5,030 mAh.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB-C.
  • Weight: Approximately 525g.

The reMarkable is physically larger and heavier due to the 11.8-inch screen. The Boox is more compact and includes a fingerprint sensor for security, which the reMarkable lacks.

The Stylus Situation

This is a major point of differentiation for buyers.

The Boox Pen: The Note Air 3 C uses standard Wacom EMR technology. This means the pen does not need a battery and never needs charging. If you lose the included pen, you can use a stylus from a Kindle Scribe, a Galaxy Tab, or a Lamy Al-Star.

The reMarkable Marker: For the Paper Pro, reMarkable switched to an active stylus. This pen must be charged. It charges magnetically by snapping to the side of the tablet. Because it is active technology, you cannot use older reMarkable pens or third-party Wacom pens. You are locked into their proprietary accessories. The “Marker Plus” (which includes a built-in eraser) costs significantly more than the standard marker.

Software Ecosystem and File Management

reMarkable’s Cloud

reMarkable uses a proprietary cloud system. You use their desktop or mobile app to sync files. It is simple and reliable. You can convert handwriting to text easily. However, to get the most out of it (like unlimited cloud storage and editing notes in the mobile app), you need a Connect subscription, which costs $2.99/month after a free trial.

Boox’s Open System

Because Boox runs Android, you are not tied to one cloud. You can sync folders directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive using apps like DriveSync. You do not need a monthly subscription to use the device effectively. If you already live in the Microsoft ecosystem (Word, OneNote, Outlook), the Boox integrates into your life much faster than the reMarkable.

Battery Life

This is a win for reMarkable.

  • reMarkable Paper Pro: Can last up to two weeks on a single charge with moderate use.
  • Boox Note Air 3 C: Due to the “Super Refresh” technology (which makes the screen refresh fast enough for scrolling apps) and the Android OS background processes, battery life is shorter. Heavy users may need to charge it every 2 to 3 days.

Pricing and Verdict

Price is often the deciding factor.

  • reMarkable Paper Pro: Starts around $579. If you want the Marker Plus (with eraser) and a leather folio, the total package can easily exceed $700.
  • Boox Note Air 3 C: Priced around $499. This usually includes the magnetic case and the stylus in the box.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the reMarkable Paper Pro if:

  1. You want a strict digital detox device.
  2. You prefer a larger canvas (11.8 inches) for PDF markup.
  3. You want the absolute best writing feel and pencil-sketching aesthetic.
  4. You are willing to pay a premium for design and simplicity.

Buy the Boox Note Air 3 C if:

  1. You need to access email, browsers, or Kindle books directly on the device.
  2. You use apps like OneNote or Evernote for your workflow.
  3. You want expandable storage via MicroSD.
  4. You want better value for money (cheaper entry price with included accessories).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Kindle books on the reMarkable Paper Pro? Not directly. You cannot install the Kindle app. You must strip the DRM from your ebooks and convert them to EPUB or PDF format, then transfer them to the device via the reMarkable app. The Boox Note Air 3 C runs the native Android Kindle app without issues.

Does the reMarkable Paper Pro have a backlight? Yes. Unlike previous reMarkable tablets, the Paper Pro includes a front light (technically not a “back” light since e-ink is opaque) allowing you to write in the dark.

Is the color on these tablets like an iPad? No. Color e-ink (E-Ink Kaleido or Canvas Color) looks like a printed newspaper or a pastel drawing. It is not vibrant, glowing, or high-resolution like an OLED or LCD screen. It is designed to be easy on the eyes, not to watch movies.

Do I have to pay a monthly fee for the Boox? No. Onyx Boox does not require a subscription for any hardware features or syncing. reMarkable requires the Connect subscription ($2.99/mo) for unlimited archiving and certain syncing features, though the device works fine offline without it.