Pocket eReaders are hot right now thanks to Xteink and a handful of rivals, but they frequently come with compromises or are simply hard to get.Boox aims to change that with the upcoming Picco, a tiny eReader I tried at IFA 2026 — and it's promising so far.The device centers around a minuscule 3.97-inch e-paper touchscreen with just a handful of buttons for page turning, the front light, and power.
There are certainly others around this size, but the Boox offering is more polished and feels great to hold.I wish there were magnets on the back to attach to a Pixel phone or iPhone.However, like a colleague, I don't fault the company for the decision when a phone attachment increases the temptation for a social media check.
Stick the Picco in another pocket.Close You'll find common eReader features like a microSD card slot, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.You can transfer files wirelessly if that's to your liking.
Boox is more sensible than Xteink, though, as there's a USB-C port for wired transfers instead of Xteink's not-so-reliable magnetic charging.Unlike the brand's Palma eReaders, you won't find Android here.The proprietary software has a handful of included apps, including a to-do list and a Pomodoro work timer, but it's clear Boox didn't want to compromise on size or battery life to get Android-friendly computing power.
As it stands, that would defeat the point of a narrowly focused device like this.Reading and navigating on the Picco is simple, if slow.That's acceptable for the category, though, and I still love the allure of a quick read waiting for a train or standing in a checkout line.
I'd just like to see more responsive future models.Boox Picco price and release date: mostly unknown Format support is also vital Boox hasn't even announced the Picco yet (but is comfortable previewing it), but is expected to launch the pocket eReader in November and share details like the price and battery life around then.The cost could play a major role in the Picco's appeal.
The Xteink X4 Pro is currently on sale for $100.If Boox can approach or beat that price, it could easily have a hit.Xteink is relatively small — a similarly-priced Boox model could take off and take tiny eReaders further into the mainstream.
Related Forget Kindle, here's why I use an Android eReader You can't take away my freedom.Posts 9 By Andrew Heinzman Book format support remains unknown, though, and could limit the Picco's reach.The Palma has the luxury of running virtually any Android eReader app.
Without that, the device is unlikely to support Kindle books and might have problems with library systems like Libby.Support for protected EPUB books would give Boox an edge, though, and it's likely to be easier to sync than it is with Xteink.The competition isn't sitting still.
Even so, I won't be surprised if Boox leads the category — at least, until and unless heavyweights like Amazon and Kobo enter the field.Don't be shocked if some rivals quickly follow up with ultra-compact readers of their own.
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