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First Glimpse of the New Onyx Boox N96 eReader

onyx boox n96The Chinese ereader maker Onyx is currently exhibiting at the Taipei Electronics Show this week and it looks like they’re showing off new hardware. An eagle-eyed MobileRead member noticed that the signs in Onyx’s booth mention what could be new 8″, 6.8″, and 9.7″ ereader models as well as what could be a replacement for the Midia E-ink smartphone that was briefly available in 2013.

While I can’t find much new about some of the devices, I did notice that the new i86 released last month in Europe is mentioned as the i86 Plus. I can also add that the Computex Taipei website does have details on the N96, including an unreadable product sheet and an incomplete specs list.

So far as I can see, the N96 is effectively identical to the existing model, the Boox M96C. Both units run Android 4.0, sport a 9.7″ E-ink screen (1200 x 825 resolution) with frontlight and touchscreen. They both have Wifi, touchscreen, 8GB internal storage, and audio.

onyx boox n96

Just about the only obvious difference is that the N96 has colorful buttons to one side of the screen, while the M96 does not.

I suspect that the N96 is running on a dual-core CPU and not a single-core CPU like the M96, but until Charbax or someone can make their way over to the Onyx booth we just won’t know for sure.

Stay tuned.

Computex via MobileRead

Onyx Boox N96 Specs

  • Android 4.0 (support upgrade to Android 4.4).
  • 9.7 inch large screen with 1200×825 pixels (150dpi).
  • Full screen touch with a stylus, for handwriting and annotation.
  • Physical button, 2 ways control page turn, easy navigation.
  • Built-in wifi and Bluetooth.
  • Built-in speaker and earphone.
  • Large storage(8G Flash Expandable SD slot up to 32G).

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Comments


Brandon M. June 12, 2015 um 5:34 pm

Thanks for the update, Nate.

But it looks like there’s a typo in the article; the M96 certainly does not have a frontlight, but perhaps the N96 will–at least that’s what I’m hoping for 🙂

Nate Hoffelder June 12, 2015 um 5:45 pm

Whoops. Fixed it, thanks.


Chris June 13, 2015 um 3:48 am

"Android 4.0 (support upgrade to Android 4.4)" Hi A search for multitasking on Android suggests that it wasn’t implemented until v 5.0 Lollipop ( http://www.fastcompany.com/3038213/app-economy/with-android-lollipop-mobile-multitasking-takes-a-great-leap-forward ) . Can someone ask Onyx to make N96 compatible with Lollipop v 5.0 (or have it preinstalled) so it has this significant advance, in multi tasking ?? Serious work on a tablet is limited without the ability to quickly move between task Tabs, with cut/copy and paste too. Ta.


Chris June 13, 2015 um 3:55 am

This approach might be taken too ?? http://www.techrepublic.com/article/get-true-multitasking-goodness-on-your-android-tablet/

Jmirko June 13, 2015 um 9:16 am

Good tip Chris, I will probably install it on my tablet. However, the app is unfortunately incompatible with the M96.


Jmirko June 13, 2015 um 9:25 am

I would be very surprised if the N96 came out so similar to the M96 – there are so many areas to improve! Some examples:
– Lollipop (as mentioned above)
– Dual touch (electromagnetic stylus + hand – Hanvon has used this tech for years)
– Flexible screen without glass, a lá Mobius
– Frontlight
– Solar panels on the bezel
– Or how about a hybrid tablet with LCD in front and eink on the back?

By the way, the assymetrical design of the N96 is a real step backwards, reminding me of the Kindle DX. The symmetrical layout of the M96 is much nicer to use in landscape mode.


Disappointed Bob February 2, 2016 um 2:31 pm

I bought an M96C a year ago on the promise of the upgrade to KitKat but we’re still waiting. The screens on these devices are pretty poor with a horrible contrast setting that means that you either read text or see graphics but not both as seems to be the norm on all other Android devices and all other e-readers that I’ve used.


Oynx Boox Unveils 9.7" N96 and N96ML eReaders, No Ship Date Set | The Digital Reader February 5, 2016 um 10:40 am

[…] noticed this week that Onyx is now listing the N96 and N96ML ereaders on its site. First teased in June 2015, these ereaders are upgraded versions of the existing Onyx Boox M96 […]


worker April 18, 2016 um 1:21 am

After upgrading to KitKat will Microsoft office work


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