News from September 7: At IFA 2026, Onyx (Boox) unveiled a mini eReader named Boox Picco, built around extreme portability and pure reading. The device is expected to launch in November 2026. It sports a 3.97-inch E Ink display with front-lighting, allowing users to freely adjust brightness and color temperature based on ambient lighting for a comfortable reading experience in any scenario.
In terms of size, the Boox Picco is extremely compact and slips easily into a pocket, making it an ideal reading tool for commuting, traveling and other on-the-go scenarios. The body features physical page-turn buttons on the side; compared to touch-screen operation, physical buttons deliver more precise and intuitive page-turn feedback — ideal for one-handed operation and further boosting reading convenience.
On the system side, the Boox Picco runs a streamlined Linux OS, rejecting feature bloat in favor of a pure reading environment. This design philosophy sets it apart from today's mainstream eReader devices, aiming to reduce distractions and let users immerse themselves in the text itself. The system also integrates practical tools such as reading-data statistics, to-do lists, Pomodoro timers and clocks, balancing reading efficiency and time management.
For connectivity and expansion, the device is equipped with a USB-C port and a microSD card slot, allowing users to transfer eBooks either via cable from a computer or over Wi-Fi. The microSD slot also makes expanding storage easy, especially for readers with large personal libraries.
On price, the Boox Picco is expected to retail at USD 100, approximately RMB 671.9. This places it in the entry-level segment of the eReader market. Combined with its compact size and reading-focused nature, it is likely to appeal to consumers who value portability and dislike feature bloat. Onyx's decision to showcase this product on the IFA stage also signals its intent to expand into global markets.
In recent years, the eReader market has shown a polarizing trend: on one end, larger-screen, handwriting-supported office-oriented products continue to gain heat; on the other, smaller devices like the Picco that return to the essence of reading are winning favor with specific user groups. Onyx has a footprint in both segments, and the launch of the Picco represents a well-targeted play for the portable-reading niche.
As mobile reading habits become more widespread, consumers' expectations of reading devices are no longer limited to "being able to read books" — they care more about scenario-fit and purity of experience. With its pocket-class size, physical buttons and streamlined OS, the Boox Picco responds directly to this demand, and its market performance is worth watching. Per the schedule, the product will launch in November, when more details about battery life and screen quality will be clarified.
