6 things I want to see from the rumored reMarkable Paper Pure

A leak earlier this week pointed to a new reMarkable tablet headed to shelves, reportedly called the “Paper Pure.” Details are beyond sparse (one image and a pair of sentences), but the early framing suggests the company may be aiming to open its experience to a wider audience. Described as a more “mass-market” device, the Paper Pure is expected to land in the second quarter of the year. If that’s the case, here’s what I hope to see reMarkable do.

1. Price it for the masses

Pricing is the whole ball game when a brand aims for mass appeal. Right now, reMarkable’s e-ink devices are hard to recommend unless you’re fully bought into the concept. The reMarkable 2 starts around $399, but once you add a Marker Plus and a folio, you’re realistically pushing $500 or more. Newer options climb even higher, with the Paper Pro sitting closer to the $600 to $700 range, depending on how you configure it. If the Paper Pure is meant to be more accessible, it will need a price tag that shoppers can swallow, and not just a lower entry price, but an all-in one.

If the leak is anything to go by, this looks a lot like the same reMarkable hardware we’ve seen before. As one Redditor pointed out, the image is actually an existing model from a published photo gallery. Either it’s simply a branded placeholder with no implications, or the new device will look very familiar when it lands.

It’s entirely possible “Pure” really means a stripped-down Paper Pro. That possibility makes performance improvements more important, as they’ll have to carry more of the upgrade. I’d like to see an upgraded processor with a smoother UI. There are still moments where the interface lags behind the pen, whether you’re flipping through notebooks or working in larger PDFs. If this is the same shell, it can’t ship with the same shortcomings.

Color displays are an ever-growing trend in the e-ink space. Yet, while color has improved, it still comes with trade-offs in contrast and clarity. For a writing-first device, those compromises aren’t necessary, especially when color panels also tend to push prices higher. If “Pure” really means focusing on the essentials, I hope the brand sticks with a sharp black-and-white display and avoids adding cost for a feature most people won’t need. I’d much rather they deliver sharper contrast than colors.

Even loyal users agree that reMarkable’s software still has room to grow. Some features are asked for again and again, and still don’t show up in software updates. Others exist, but don’t feel fully developed. If this device is meant to reach a broader audience, the software needs to keep up with real-world workflows, and that means better document handling, more flexible note tools, smarter organization, and syncing that works without extra effort.

5. Lose the subscription

Subscriptions are everywhere at this point, but reMarkable’s still doesn’t quite add up. The brand doesn’t paywall its core writing experience, but it does charge for features that feel like they should be standard, especially when you’re already paying a premium for the hardware. If reMarkable is serious about reaching a broader audience, all-in pricing would make it more appealing.

I realize a frontlight is very unlikely given reMarkable’s commitment to its “real-paper feel,” but this is a wishlist after all. I love the paper-like display of reMarkable’s devices. Like many users, though, I wish they didn’t need perfect lighting to use. If this is intended to be a mainstream device, a frontlight would go far to align it with competition from Kindle or Kobo. A subtle, warm light would be enough to make the device usable in more places without completely sacrificing that paper feel.

The Paper Pure is rumored to land sometime in the second quarter of the year. I, for one, am eager to see if reMarkable is ready to make its lineup a little more mainstream.