Barnes & Noble's New NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7: A Rebranded Android Device for Digital Reading

Bookseller Barnes & Noble has unveiled its latest dedicated reading device, the NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7, an Android-based tablet designed specifically for consuming digital books, magazines, and comics. Priced at $150, this new model represents Barnes & Noble's continued strategy of rebranding existing tablets rather than developing proprietary hardware in-house.

The NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7 is essentially a rebranded version of the Lenovo Tab One, following the same approach Barnes & Noble took with its NOOK 9" Tablet in 2024, which was based on the Lenovo Tab M9. This strategy allows B&N to leverage existing manufacturing partnerships while maintaining its brand identity in the digital reading space.

Hardware Specifications

The tablet features an 8.7-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1340 x 800 pixels and a peak brightness of 480 nits. Under the hood, it's powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 processor paired with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB of internal storage. A microSD card slot supports expansion up to 1TB, a significant upgrade from the previous model's 128GB limit.

Other notable hardware specifications include:

• 5,100 mAh battery with 15W quick charging support
• 8MP rear camera with autofocus
• 2MP front-facing fixed-focus camera
• 3.5mm audio jack
• WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity

The device measures 211 x 125 x 8mm (8.3" x 4.9" x 0.3") and weighs 320 grams (11.3 ounces), making it relatively compact and portable for extended reading sessions.

Design and User Experience

Visually, the NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7 distinguishes itself from its Lenovo counterpart with a seafoam green back cover featuring a textured finish with circular patterns. This design choice appears aimed at improving grip during one-handed use, though the practical benefits remain to be seen in real-world usage.

The tablet ships with Android 15 pre-installed, customized with the "NOOK Tablet Experience" launcher. This custom interface prioritizes Barnes & Noble's content ecosystem, placing NOOK eBooks, magazines, and digital comics front and center in the user experience. The NOOK app comes pre-installed, ensuring immediate access to the company's digital library.

Market Position and Competition

At $150, the NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7 occupies an interesting position in the market. It's more expensive than dedicated e-readers like Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite but offers the versatility of a full-color Android tablet. The device competes with other budget Android tablets in the 8-9 inch range, though its NOOK integration provides a unique selling point for existing Barnes & Noble customers.

The tablet represents a modest spec bump over the previous NOOK 9" model, with improvements including a slightly faster GPU, a brighter display, and enhanced charging capabilities. However, the core experience remains focused on reading rather than general tablet usage.

Barnes & Noble's Tablet Strategy

This launch continues Barnes & Noble's long-standing approach to the tablet market. The company initially developed its own Android tablets but shifted to rebranding existing devices years ago. This strategy allows B&N to maintain a presence in the hardware market without the significant investment required for in-house development.

The NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7 demonstrates that Barnes & Noble remains committed to providing hardware options for its digital content ecosystem, even as the broader tablet market has become increasingly dominated by Apple, Samsung, and Amazon. For dedicated NOOK users, this device offers a purpose-built option that integrates seamlessly with their existing digital library.

Availability

The NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7 is available now through Barnes & Noble's retail channels and website. As with most Android tablets in this price range, it's likely to see periodic discounts and promotions, particularly during holiday shopping seasons.

For readers invested in the Barnes & Noble ecosystem, the NOOK Reading Tablet 8.7 offers a familiar experience with modern hardware specifications. While it may not compete with premium tablets in terms of performance or display quality, it serves its intended purpose as a dedicated reading device with the flexibility of the Android platform.