Onyx Boox Tab X C

Vip

Having no usable mobile device (phone/tablet/laptop), I took a punt on an e-ink device out of desperation and bought an Onyx Boox Tab X C:

https://shop.boox.com/collections/all/products/tabxc

It's pricey but I really need a mobile device for work, this runs Android so I can install Outlook etc. and I reasoned that e-ink had to be safe to use, right? Well, not so much - not for me, anyway. I got eyestrain pretty much straight away, just as though it was a new Macbook or iPad. I am currently playing around with settings to see if there's a config that works for me (e.g. frontlight, anti-flicker slider, refresh modes, etc.) but haven't found one yet.

I know we're all different but has anyone out there tried one of these and got it working comfortably for them?

randomboolean

Vip Sorry to hear that, you're definitely not alone when it comes to e-ink causing eye strain. From what I've seen, the issues generally fall into two broad categories:

Flicker or refresh-related sensitivity
General eye/reading problems caused by contrast, font rendering, text size, or screen coating

Some people can’t use Boox devices at all. Others manage by adjusting settings like contrast, colour mode, font size, and refresh speed. I'd suggest testing both the slowest and fastest refresh options. You can also try turning off the device and looking at the ghosted "leftover" image – does the strain go away? That might help you figure out whether it’s a flicker or coating issue.

In my case, every fast-refresh e-ink device I’ve tried has given me strong eye strain – even when I’m not looking directly at the screen. The most recent one I tested was the Bigme B751C (7-inch colour e-ink). I tried all the settings: fast, slow, "ghosting clean up", etc - didn't help. That said, one setting called "visually enhance text" did reduce the strain noticeably. It made things a bit more tolerable, but still not usable long-term.

I also tested the external Dasung monitor years ago and had to pass it on to another LEDStrain user – it wasn’t workable for me. Before I found my iPhone screen-swap workaround, I used the Hisense A2 Pro, which was just about okay for 10–15 minute bursts. I can also look at a Kindle (the older black-and-white models), as long as I’m not reading. Passive viewing is fine, but actual reading causes issues. I can’t read printed text either, so that’s a separate eye problem on my end.

The main takeaway: some people can use most e-ink devices but react badly to specific models, depending on things like coating, contrast, or the display tint (some are bright white, others more grey). And some people cannot use any eink. It’s worth testing different units if you can.

There are many reports and hacks on this forum for eink so it'd could be helpful to search for "eink", "boox", "dasung". Posts like these:
https://ledstrain.org/d/3103-different-experience-with-different-boox-products/8

Clokwork

This is so strange. I have considered the Minimal Phone due to its epaper display. When the screen has completed its refresh, say for instance when reading a document, I would think it would be one of the easiest things on the eyes. I get that it has to refresh when scrolling and some may find it jarring.

randomboolean

Clokwork Indeed it is strange! I thought the eink is the way to go till the time I pass away, but…Also, I haven't had a chance to test the minimal phone, but If this phone really works like that – refreshing only when there's movement and not constantly – I'd be very interested to test it. But from what I've seen, most fast response e-ink devices I've tried (monitors, tablets, Android phones) refresh continuously non-stop. The only exception has been e-book readers, which usually stay static until an update is needed. But, even with all that experience, I'm keeping an open mind and staying positive – still on the lookout for new devices or developments in this space.

DisplaysShouldNotBeTVs

Clokwork the reason why Minimal Phone is so comfy (i have one) is that even though it does use an electrophoretic display with ink particles, very similar to e-ink, it's actually not made by the E Ink company — it's made by a competitor company called Oed-E-Paper

I prefer this screen on the Minimal Phone by this competitor company soooo much compared to other "official" E Ink displays as the white background is actually white instead of gray, there is no flickering while scrolling in fast mode unlike official e-ink (the dithering algorithm is simpler), and the matte coating is amazing (compared to the often "blurry"-feeling matte coatings on official E Ink)

I definitely want to know if there are more devices aside from the Minimal Phone that use this other brand of electrophoretic ink display, as overall it is so much comfier than the official e-ink stuff

Clokwork please be careful with some devices that give off the impression they are epaper

all of the devices that randomboolean mentioned are real electrophoretic displays, so this isn't a concern, i think they already know the difference between ink displays and RLCD

Clokwork

randomboolean please be careful with some devices that give off the impression they are epaper. Some are LCD with a matte coating and a black/white mode. That said, true epaper devices only refresh when there is change. That’s why they are so great on battery life. That is until they are used for things they aren’t made for like video and gaming.

Something I just thought about is Android. If not optimized for epaper, it will likely still try to refresh.

randomboolean

Clokwork

DisplaysShouldNotBeTVs

Thanks for pointing out the RLCD devices! After a few years of not actively following new display tech, I started noticing these “e-paper” screens popping up – not quite E Ink, but also not standard colourful LCDs either. I’ve only skimmed the surface so far, but most of what I’ve seen runs Android 14+ (which anecdotally seems more straining than Android 11) and uses LCD tech, so the risk is still pretty high. Prices are also on the high side, so it’s not exactly first in line for real-world screen sensitivity testing.

I’m also unsure about the general quality of RLCD panels and how different they actually are from regular LCDs, aside from being monochrome. Has anyone here tested them? They seem super niche – maybe even more niche than E Ink devices.

Really appreciate the heads-up on the different EINK manufacturer too. I’m now hovering over the “Buy now” button myself, haha. I checked a few reviews, and while many people complain about heavy ghosting, that part actually grabbed my attention. What’s annoying for most might end up being great for us.

It also reminded me of the old YotaPhone 2 I used for a while (totally forgot about it), which had a very ghosty E Ink display, but strangely, I found it much more comfortable than the Hisense A2 Pro E Ink phone I had later. So definitely intrigued now.

Clokwork

DisplaysShouldNotBeTVs I’m definitely staring harder at the minimal phone now.

Clokwork

I think the ghosting will be something I will have to get used to as well, but I don't think it will trigger any symptoms. Just might be annoying. I'll look forward to having my banking app and a working browser back even though I know the browsing experience will not be completely optimal. It will have to do until color ink displays get better.

randomboolean

Clokwork Yeah, it takes time to get used to, but IMO still worth it – especially with 5 years of guaranteed updates (is it really possible these days 😮). That alone gives you confidence and peace of mind, knowing you’ve got time and don’t need to constantly test new devices like crazy just to stay up to date and be able to at least do some work.

From my decade of experience, finding a “setup that works” mostly comes down to a mindset shift – letting go of the desire for a beautiful image or the latest flashy tech. The Yotaphone, even though it was small, laggy, and had no backlight, still let me get a surprising amount of work done. I even secured a date with the love of my life while typing on that tiny laggy keyboard, staring at ghosted images – haha.

I wish I could test this next month, but I’ll have to wait until after my trip. Let us know if you get a chance to try it out!