BOOX Note Air 4 C vs Note Air 5 C vs Note Air 6 C: Complete Comparison
The BOOX Note Air series combines the advantages of a digital notebook, a color E Ink reader, and an Android tablet. With their 10.3-inch displays, pressure-sensitive styluses, and extensive reading and note-taking features, Note Air devices are designed for students, researchers, teachers, professionals, and creators who work with digital documents every day.
The BOOX Note Air4 C, Note Air5 C, and Note Air6 C share the same core philosophy: providing a large writing and reading surface with a 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 color display, while retaining the flexibility of Android and third-party applications.
With each generation, BOOX has evolved the performance, Android version, writing experience, display refresh technology, and productivity features.
In this guide, we compare the three generations to help you understand their differences and shared features.
Key takeaway: the Note Air4 C runs Android 13, the Note Air5 C runs Android 15, and the Note Air6 C runs Android 16. All three models feature 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display, and a 3,700 mAh battery. The Note Air6 C adds an improved 4 nm octa-core processor and Bluetooth 6.0.
The Three BOOX Note Air Models
| Model | Display | RAM / Storage | Operating System | Battery | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOOX Note Air4 C | 10.3" Kaleido 3 | 6 GB / 64 GB | Android 13 | 3,700 mAh | ~420 g |
| BOOX Note Air5 C | 10.3" Kaleido 3 | 6 GB / 64 GB | Android 15 | 3,700 mAh | ~440 g |
| BOOX Note Air6 C | 10.3" Kaleido 3 | 6 GB / 64 GB | Android 16 | 3,700 mAh | ~440 g |
All three models use a Kaleido 3 color E Ink display capable of displaying up to 4,096 colors, with 300 ppi in black and white and 150 ppi in color.
They also feature adjustable front lighting, a touchscreen, a pressure-sensitive stylus with 4,096 pressure levels, a microSD card slot, and Google Play Store support.
What Is the BOOX Note Air Series?
The BOOX Note Air series sits between a traditional Android tablet, an e-reader, and a digital notebook.
The goal is not to completely replace a laptop or LCD tablet for every task. Instead, Note Air devices are designed around reading, handwriting, annotation, and working with digital documents.
They can be used for:
- reading e-books;
- reading and annotating PDFs;
- handwritten note-taking;
- attending classes;
- studying scientific papers;
- preparing meetings;
- annotating professional documents;
- creating sketches and diagrams;
- viewing charts and presentations;
- running Android applications compatible with E Ink;
- syncing documents and notes.
The 10.3-inch format provides enough screen area for working comfortably with PDFs, professional documents, presentations, and handwritten notes.
Why Choose a Color E Ink Display?
All three generations use E Ink Kaleido 3 technology.
Unlike traditional LCD or OLED panels, E Ink is designed to provide a reading experience that is closer to paper. The color layer makes it possible to work with documents containing charts, diagrams, annotations, and illustrations.
Color can be particularly useful for:
- charts;
- tables;
- mind maps;
- technical diagrams;
- annotations;
- educational documents;
- comics;
- illustrations;
- professional presentations.
It is important to remember that a color E Ink display is not designed to reproduce the brightness and saturation of an LCD or OLED screen. The technology prioritizes reading and writing rather than multimedia consumption.
BOOX Note Air4 C
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The BOOX Note Air4 C combines a 10.3-inch color E Ink display with Android 13, 6 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage.
Its main features include:
- 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display;
- 4,096 colors;
- 300 ppi black-and-white resolution;
- 150 ppi color resolution;
- 6 GB RAM;
- 64 GB storage;
- Android 13;
- octa-core processor with BOOX Super Refresh Technology;
- Wi-Fi;
- Bluetooth 5.1;
- 3,700 mAh battery;
- microSD support;
- stereo speakers;
- microphone;
- fingerprint sensor;
- warm and cool front lighting;
- BOOX Pen Plus stylus.
Designed for Note-Taking
The Note Air4 C provides a comprehensive set of tools for writing, drawing, and organizing notes.
The Notes application supports different page templates, brushes, layers, shape tools, lasso selection, folders, tags, and organizational features.
The system also supports multitasking, including split-screen mode.
Reading and Document Annotation
With NeoReader, the Note Air4 C can read and annotate a wide range of document formats.
It supports formats including PDF, EPUB, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, TXT, MOBI, AZW3, CBZ, CBR, and many others.
Split-screen mode can also be used to read a document while taking notes.
Android and Applications
The Note Air4 C runs Android 13 and includes the Google Play Store.
This allows users to install compatible Android applications for reading, cloud storage, communication, productivity, and other workflows.
Size and Portability
The Note Air4 C measures approximately 226 × 193 × 5.8 mm and weighs around 420 g.
Its size makes it practical for everyday transportation while still providing a large 10.3-inch working area.
BOOX Note Air5 C
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The BOOX Note Air5 C keeps the 10.3-inch format and Kaleido 3 display of the Note Air4 C while introducing several improvements to the software, writing experience, and productivity features.
Its main features include:
- 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display;
- 4,096 colors;
- 300 ppi black-and-white resolution;
- 150 ppi color resolution;
- 6 GB RAM;
- 64 GB storage;
- Android 15;
- octa-core processor;
- BOOX Super Refresh Technology;
- Wi-Fi;
- Bluetooth 5.1;
- 3,700 mAh battery;
- microSD support;
- adjustable front lighting;
- fingerprint sensor;
- BOOX Pen3 stylus;
- compatibility with the BOOX Magnetic Keyboard.
Android 15
One of the most visible changes on the Note Air5 C is its move to Android 15.
The Google Play Store allows users to install compatible third-party applications, while the BOOX interface remains optimized for E Ink use.
Improved Writing Experience
The Note Air5 C comes with the BOOX Pen3.
The stylus provides:
- 4,096 pressure levels;
- tilt detection;
- low latency;
- a writing experience designed to provide more friction and resistance.
BOOX has also refined the writing surface to provide a more paper-like writing experience.
More Productivity Features
The Note Air5 C can be used with the BOOX Magnetic Keyboard Cover.
The keyboard connects through pogo pins and can be used for:
- writing emails;
- preparing short reports;
- editing documents;
- working with presentations;
- light office work.
The keyboard also includes a USB-C port for pass-through charging.
Smooth Refresh
The Note Air5 C introduces Smooth Refresh, a mode designed to improve the smoothness of E Ink screen updates.
BOOX states that the mode optimizes refresh algorithms and ghosting reduction to improve navigation, scrolling, and certain more dynamic applications.
However, E Ink remains fundamentally different from a conventional LCD or OLED display.
BOOX Note Air6 C
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The BOOX Note Air6 C is the latest generation in this comparison.
It retains the 10.3-inch format and Kaleido 3 display but upgrades the platform with Android 16, an improved octa-core processor, and new features aimed particularly at studying, research, and knowledge organization.
Its main features include:
- 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display;
- 4,096 colors;
- 300 ppi black-and-white resolution;
- 150 ppi color resolution;
- 6 GB RAM;
- 64 GB storage;
- Android 16;
- improved octa-core processor;
- 4 nm CPU architecture;
- BOOX Super Refresh Technology;
- Wi-Fi;
- Bluetooth 6.0;
- 3,700 mAh battery;
- microSD support;
- warm and cool front lighting;
- fingerprint sensor;
- BOOX Pen3 stylus;
- compatibility with the BOOX Magnetic Keyboard.
Android 16
The Note Air6 C runs Android 16 and includes the Google Play Store.
This makes it possible to use compatible third-party applications for studying, reading, cloud storage, and productivity.
4 nm Octa-Core Processor
BOOX states that the Note Air6 C uses an improved octa-core processor based on a 4 nm manufacturing process.
The platform is designed to improve general responsiveness and support applications and multitasking more effectively.
More Features for Study and Research
The Note Air6 C adds several tools aimed at users who regularly work with documents and information.
BOOX highlights features including:
- Dual Notes;
- Calendar Memo;
- EinkWise Code;
- Google Drive integration;
- Readwise integration;
- Zotero integration;
- BOOXDrop;
- cloud synchronization;
- advanced reading and annotation tools.
The Note Air6 C can therefore be used as a digital workspace for reading, note-taking, and organizing information.
Bluetooth 6.0
The Note Air6 C moves to Bluetooth 6.0, while the Note Air4 C and Note Air5 C use Bluetooth 5.1.
This is primarily a connectivity evolution rather than a fundamental change to the Note Air concept.
BOOX Note Air4 C vs Note Air5 C vs Note Air6 C: Technical Comparison
| Feature | Note Air4 C | Note Air5 C | Note Air6 C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 10.3" Kaleido 3 | 10.3" Kaleido 3 | 10.3" Kaleido 3 |
| Colors | 4,096 | 4,096 | 4,096 |
| B&W resolution | 300 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
| Color resolution | 150 ppi | 150 ppi | 150 ppi |
| RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| microSD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating System | Android 13 | Android 15 | Android 16 |
| CPU | Octa-core + BSR | Octa-core + BSR | Improved octa-core + BSR |
| CPU process | Not specified | Not specified | 4 nm |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front lighting | Warm + cool | Warm + cool | Warm + cool |
| Stylus | Pen Plus | Pen3 | Pen3 |
| Pressure levels | 4,096 | 4,096 | 4,096 |
| Tilt sensitivity | — | Yes | Yes |
| Magnetic keyboard | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible |
| Speakers | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-rotation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 3,700 mAh | 3,700 mAh | 3,700 mAh |
| Thickness | 5.8 mm | 5.8 mm | 5.8 mm |
| Weight | ~420 g | ~440 g | ~440 g |
The Main Differences Between the Three Generations
1. The Display Remains Very Similar
All three devices use a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display.
The resolution remains:
- 2480 × 1860 in black and white;
- 300 ppi in black and white;
- 1240 × 930 in color;
- 150 ppi in color;
- up to 4,096 colors.
The differences between generations are therefore less about display resolution and more about performance, software, and additional features.
2. Android Has Evolved
| Model | Android Version |
|---|---|
| Note Air4 C | Android 13 |
| Note Air5 C | Android 15 |
| Note Air6 C | Android 16 |
For users who rely heavily on third-party Android applications, the operating-system generation can be an important consideration.
3. The Stylus Has Evolved
The Note Air4 C uses the Pen Plus, while the Note Air5 C and Note Air6 C use the Pen3.
The Pen3 adds features including tilt sensitivity and an updated writing experience.
4. Performance Has Evolved
All three models have 6 GB of RAM and BOOX Super Refresh Technology.
The Note Air6 C adds an improved octa-core processor manufactured using a 4 nm process.
5. Connectivity Has Evolved
The Note Air4 C and Note Air5 C use Bluetooth 5.1.
The Note Air6 C moves to Bluetooth 6.0.
6. Productivity Features Have Expanded
The Note Air series has gradually evolved from an advanced digital notebook into a more complete reading + note-taking + applications + research + knowledge organization platform.
Note Air4 C vs Note Air5 C
Moving from the Note Air4 C to the Note Air5 C does not fundamentally change the device format.
Both models share:
- 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display;
- 6 GB RAM;
- 64 GB storage;
- 3,700 mAh battery;
- Bluetooth 5.1;
- microSD;
- front lighting;
- octa-core processor;
- BOOX Super Refresh Technology.
The Note Air5 C adds several updates:
- Android 15;
- Pen3;
- tilt-sensitive stylus;
- updated writing surface;
- Smooth Refresh;
- improved keyboard integration;
- additional software features.
For an existing Note Air4 C owner, the relevance of these changes depends on the features and workflow they want to use.
Note Air5 C vs Note Air6 C
The Note Air5 C and Note Air6 C share a very similar platform:
- 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display;
- 6 GB RAM;
- 64 GB storage;
- 3,700 mAh battery;
- 5.8 mm thickness;
- approximately 440 g;
- Pen3;
- magnetic keyboard support;
- microSD.
The Note Air6 C adds:
- Android 16;
- improved octa-core processor;
- 4 nm CPU process;
- Bluetooth 6.0;
- additional reading and study features;
- integrations with services such as Google Drive, Readwise, and Zotero;
- Calendar Memo;
- additional knowledge-organization features.
Which BOOX Note Air Is Suitable for Each Use Case?
For Reading PDFs and Books
All three models feature the same 10.3-inch display format and Kaleido 3 technology.
They are therefore particularly suited to users who regularly read:
- PDFs;
- e-books;
- professional documents;
- scientific papers;
- presentations;
- reports.
For Students and Researchers
The Note Air series is well suited to workflows that combine reading and handwritten note-taking.
The 10.3-inch format provides enough space to view documents while maintaining room for annotations.
The Note Air6 C adds additional tools aimed at research workflows and knowledge organization.
For Teachers
A Note Air can be used to:
- prepare lessons;
- annotate teaching materials;
- review documents;
- take notes;
- prepare presentations;
- read PDFs;
- organize educational resources.
For Drawing and Sketching
All three generations support a pressure-sensitive stylus.
The Note Air5 C and Note Air6 C use the Pen3 with tilt sensitivity.
For Professionals
Note Air devices can be used for:
- meetings;
- meeting notes;
- contracts;
- reports;
- brainstorming;
- document annotation;
- presentation review;
- spreadsheet and table viewing.
Magnetic keyboard compatibility also provides an option for longer text input and light productivity tasks.
As an Alternative to a Traditional Tablet
A Note Air is not intended to completely replace an LCD or OLED tablet.
Android allows users to install applications, but the E Ink display remains particularly suited to reading, writing, and document-based workflows.
For fast-paced gaming, video editing, high-frame-rate video, or applications requiring very fluid animations, a traditional tablet remains more appropriate.
Shared Features Across the BOOX Note Air Series
10.3-inch Color Display
The format provides a balance between portability and workspace.
E Ink Kaleido 3 Technology
The display combines high-resolution black-and-white content with color for charts, annotations, and illustrated documents.
Pressure-Sensitive Stylus
All three generations support 4,096 levels of pressure.
Adjustable Front Lighting
The front light allows users to adjust brightness and color temperature according to their environment.
Android and Google Play Store
All three models support compatible Android applications through Google Play.
Expandable Storage
The devices include a microSD card slot.
BOOX Super Refresh Technology
BOOX's BSR technology is designed to improve screen refresh performance and reduce ghosting on compatible E Ink devices.
Synchronization and File Transfer
BOOXDrop allows users to transfer files between the Note Air, a computer, and a smartphone.
Notes and annotations can also be synchronized through supported cloud services.
BOOX Note Air: More Than an E-Reader
The main difference between a Note Air and a traditional e-reader is the flexibility of the platform.
An iPad or conventional Android tablet is designed around applications, video, gaming, and multimedia.
A Note Air focuses more heavily on:
Read → annotate → write → search → organize → sync.
This approach can be useful for people who work with digital documents every day and want to keep books, PDFs, and notebooks together in one device.
Supported File Formats
BOOX lists support for a wide range of document formats.
These include:
- EPUB
- EPUB3
- AZW3
- MOBI
- TXT
- DOC
- DOCX
- PPT
- PPTX
- DJVU
- CBR
- CBZ
- HTML
- RTF
- ZIP
- PRC
- FB2
- CHM
The devices also support several image and audio formats.
Cloud, Synchronization and Applications
BOOX devices can use a wide range of Android applications and cloud services.
BOOX also provides 10 GB of free Onyx Cloud storage for users.
BOOXDrop allows files to be transferred between the Note Air, computers, and smartphones.
The Note Air6 C particularly highlights integrations with Google Drive, Readwise, and Zotero, together with tools designed for research and information organization.
Design and Portability
All three models maintain a thickness of approximately 5.8 mm.
The Note Air4 C weighs around 420 g, while the Note Air5 C and Note Air6 C weigh approximately 440 g.
The 10.3-inch format provides a substantial working area while remaining compact enough to carry in a bag.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Note Air4 C | Note Air5 C | Note Air6 C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color E Ink display | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 10.3-inch display | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kaleido 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF reading | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Note-taking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drawing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Play Store | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| microSD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Magnetic keyboard | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pen3 | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android 15 | — | ✓ | — |
| Android 16 | — | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth 6.0 | — | — | ✓ |
| 4 nm CPU | — | — | ✓ |
| Advanced research features | — | — | ✓ |
FAQ — BOOX Note Air
Is the BOOX Note Air an Android tablet?
Yes. Note Air devices run Android and support third-party applications through Google Play. Their E Ink displays, however, are particularly suited to reading, writing, documents, and productivity workflows.
What is the difference between the Note Air4 C and Note Air5 C?
Both models use a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display, 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 3,700 mAh battery.
The Note Air5 C adds Android 15, the Pen3, an updated writing experience, Smooth Refresh, and enhanced keyboard integration.
What is the difference between the Note Air5 C and Note Air6 C?
The Note Air6 C moves to Android 16 and uses an improved octa-core processor based on a 4 nm process. It also adds Bluetooth 6.0 and several features aimed at study, research, and knowledge organization.
Do BOOX Note Air devices have color displays?
Yes. All three models use E Ink Kaleido 3 technology with up to 4,096 colors.
Can you install Google Play on the Note Air?
Yes. All three models include the Google Play Store.
Can you annotate PDFs on a BOOX Note Air?
Yes. NeoReader allows users to read, annotate, and mark compatible documents, including PDFs.
Can you use a keyboard with a BOOX Note Air?
Yes. The Note Air4 C, Note Air5 C, and Note Air6 C support the compatible BOOX Magnetic Keyboard.
How long does the BOOX Note Air battery last?
Actual battery life depends heavily on usage, including front-light brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, installed applications, and refresh settings. BOOX does not provide one single battery-life figure that applies to every usage scenario.
Conclusion
The BOOX Note Air series continues to evolve while keeping the same core concept: a large color E Ink workspace designed for reading, handwriting, and working with digital documents.
The Note Air4 C is based on Android 13 and already provides a comprehensive platform with 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, Kaleido 3, and BOOX's advanced note-taking tools.
The Note Air5 C evolves the experience with Android 15, the Pen3, an updated writing surface, Smooth Refresh, and enhanced keyboard integration.
The Note Air6 C continues this evolution with Android 16, an improved 4 nm processor, Bluetooth 6.0, and additional tools focused on study, research, and knowledge organization.
All three models retain an important common foundation: a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display, 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 3,700 mAh battery, and a color E Ink reading and writing experience.
Explore the BOOX Note Air Series on Eink.ma
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