BOOX Picco: an ePaper reader the size of a keyring

What it is

The BOOX Picco is an e-ink tablet, described by the brand as an Eink Tablet, designed to fit in a pocket or clip onto the back of a phone via a magnetic ring case. Its 3.97-inch monochrome screen and body measuring just a few centimetres make it something you carry like a bunch of keys rather than a device you set up on a desk. It’s aimed at people who want to read texts — novels, documents, notes — without pulling out their phone or carrying a full-size e-reader. There’s no variant in the range: it’s a single model, distinguished only by its accessories.

Why it exists

BOOX describes the Picco as “the most fun thing” you could own. The idea: a device small enough that you’d always rather read a page than scroll through your phone. BOOX states that the Picco is meant to accompany users the way their keys and wallet do — an everyday object, not a gadget left at the bottom of a bag. The brand also presents it as the first device in its BOOX Tiles range, a family of products built around the app of the same name.

What matters

The screen displays a resolution of 480 × 800 pixels, or 235 ppi across a 3.97-inch diagonal. On such a small surface, this pixel density determines how legible the text stays: the higher the dots per inch, the sharper the text remains even at pocket size. BOOX states that anti-aliasing reinforces this sharpness, letter by letter.

The stated weight, around 58 g, and dimensions of 105.5 × 62 × 5.5 mm put the Picco among the objects you forget you’re carrying in a pocket. This form factor is what enables the use case the brand describes: pulling the device out as naturally as a set of keys, without the bulk of a standard e-reader.

Built-in storage is 16 GB, with a microSD card already installed, and the whole setup is expandable up to 2 TB via the microSD card slot. For a library of texts — even in varied formats — this headroom leaves room to spare without having to choose between several books at once.

The front light with CTM offers both warm and cool settings. This dual tone lets you adjust screen lighting depending on the time of day or ambient light, an important point for a device meant for repeated, prolonged reading.

The 920 mAh battery powers an ePaper screen, a technology known for drawing power only when the page turns. On such a compact body, this capacity directly shapes how long it lasts between charges.

Connectivity combines 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enough to sync content or transfer files without a cable, alongside the BOOX Tiles app.

Day to day

Content transfer works through the BOOX Tiles app or a web interface, depending on the method the brand indicates. The Picco reads a long list of document formats — EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, AZW, AZW5, FB2, FB2.ZIP, FB3, FBZ, TXT, PDB, PRC, RTF, HTML, XHTML, HTM and CHM — as well as common image formats such as PNG, JPEG, WEBP, BMP and GIF. Enough to cover digital books alongside scanned documents or images to view on screen.

The device also includes utility apps: a Pomodoro timer, a task manager and a countdown, built for use beyond reading alone.

The box includes the device, its pre-installed microSD card, three screen protectors and a quick start guide with warranty card. The magnetic case, offered as an accessory, clips onto the back of a phone, changing how the device is carried day to day: it follows the phone rather than a bag or a dedicated pocket.

Technical specifications

Feature	Value
Screen size	3.97″, monochrome
Resolution	480 × 800 pixels (235 ppi)
Input method	Physical buttons and touchscreen
Storage	16 GB, card included, expandable up to 2 TB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth
Front light	Front light with CTM (warm and cool)
Dimensions	105.5 × 62 × 5.5 mm
Weight	Approximately 58 g
Battery	920 mAh
Transfer method	BOOX Tiles app or web
Document formats	EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, AZW, AZW5, FB2, FB2.ZIP, FB3, FBZ, TXT, PDB, PRC, RTF, HTML, XHTML, HTM, CHM
Image formats	PNG, JPEG, WEBP, BMP, GIF
Built-in apps	Pomodoro, Todo, Countdown
Certifications	FCC, CE, TELE, ROHS, WEEE, NCC
Box contents	Picco, pre-installed microSD card, three screen protectors, quick start guide and warranty card
microSD card slot	Expandable up to 2 TB
Magnetic case	Built-in magnetic ring, attaches to the back of a phone

What the brand says

BOOX describes the Picco as “the most fun thing” you could own. The brand states that the form factor is calculated so you’d always rather turn a page than scroll through your phone. It describes the Picco as a companion as essential as keys or a wallet, and positions it as the first device in its BOOX Tiles range. On display quality, BOOX states that anti-aliasing guarantees sharp lettering despite the small size of the ePaper screen.

The brand

BOOX designs e-ink tablets and sells the Picco through its official online store. The brand also develops the BOOX Tiles app, used to manage and transfer content to its devices.