reMarkable 2 vs Paper Pro: Should You Upgrade in 2026?
A happy reMarkable 2 owner who writes at a desk in daylight doesn't need the reMarkable Paper Pro, but anyone who wants color, a reading light, or a faster pen will feel the difference every day. New buyers now choose between the reMarkable Paper Pro, the Paper Pure, and a refurbished reMarkable 2. Upgrading is worth it when it fixes a daily annoyance. Choose the right tool.
What the Paper Pro Actually Changes
Moving from the reMarkable 2 to the reMarkable Paper Pro starts with an 11.8-inch color screen that offers much more room than the cramped 10.3-inch monochrome display on the older model. This larger surface makes marking big PDFs feel natural, but it also means you're carrying more weight when you move through your day. The new screen has a reading light that helps you work in dim rooms, while the old one stays dark without an external lamp.
The reMarkable Paper Pro is 40% more responsive than the reMarkable 2, and reviewers measure the writing latency at 12 ms against 21 ms. This speed makes the ink follow the pen tip instantly, removing that tiny lag that sometimes bothers fast writers. You'll also notice 15% less glare on the glass, which makes the screen easier to see under bright office lights.
Storage jumps to 64GB, so you can hold far more books and planners than the 8GB on the older unit. Charging also takes about 90 minutes now, against the 120 minutes you used to wait. These small wins mean you spend less time fighting the tech and more time getting your work done.
The color on the screen stays muted like a printed page, rather than looking like a glowing phone screen. This soft look works well for color-coding notes or highlighting text, but you shouldn't expect vibrant hues. The Paper Pro planner guide shows how color works on a planner page.
What You Give Up by Upgrading
When you move from the reMarkable 2 to the reMarkable Paper Pro, you trade a very slim and light frame for a tool that feels much heavier and thicker in your hand. The new tablet weighs about 525 g while the old one is just 403.5 g, so you will notice the bulk when you hold it for long reading sessions. It is also 5.1 mm thick compared to 4.7 mm, which means it does not sit as flat in a bag or pocket.
Your old Markers won't work on the reMarkable Paper Pro, so you have to spend money on a new pen if you decide to make the switch for good. This adds to the real cost of the upgrade since you can't reuse the gear you already own. The reading light is a nice thing to have, but it cuts into that two-week battery rating if you use it often. The pen tips guide covers the new Marker and its tips.
Pages move between sizes with auto zoom: Simply Kyra found that a Paper Pro page opens at 0.8x on the reMarkable 2. This shift might change how you view your notes when you move between devices. If you like the feel of a fixed size, this constant scaling might annoy you. You're betting that the extra features are worth the loss of a simple, light build.
If You Are Buying New in 2026
The reMarkable 2 is refurbished-only now, and the Paper Pure is its successor, with the same 10.3-inch mono size and resolution, 32GB of storage, a user-replaceable battery, screws instead of glue, and the same Marker as the Paper Pro. That makes the real choice the Paper Pro for color and light, the Paper Pure for the classic size with modern parts, or a refurbished reMarkable 2 for the lowest cost.
The reMarkable Paper Pro is the only full-size reMarkable with color and a reading light today, but it costs more and needs a new Marker that won't work with your old pens. It has an 11.8-inch screen that feels much larger than the 10.3-inch models, so pages will look different when you move them to an older device. If you need to see color or work in the dark, this is the only path that makes sense for you right now.
The Paper Pure is the best bet for people who want the classic 10.3-inch size without the extra weight of the color model. It holds 32GB of files and has a battery that you can swap out yourself if it dies in a few years. It uses the same Marker as the Paper Pro, so you won't have to buy new pens if you decide to switch later. The Supernote vs reMarkable 2 guide compares it with the Supernote Manta.
Buying a refurbished reMarkable 2 makes sense if you want to spend the least and don't care about having the newest parts. It lacks a light and has less storage, but it still works well for those who just want to write. You're betting that the older tech will last long enough for your needs. It is the cheapest way to get into the system.
Which One Fits How You Plan
If you find yourself writing late into the night or need to use color to organize your notes, the reMarkable Paper Pro is the clear choice because it includes a front light and a color display. The reMarkable 2 lacks a light, so you'll struggle in dim rooms unless you have a bright lamp nearby. Since the Paper Pro writes in nine colors, you can finally color-code your tasks with one pen. It feels much more responsive too.
Desk writers who love the slim feel of the reMarkable 2 should keep their current setup because it is thinner and lighter than the newer color model. The Paper Pro weighs over 500 grams, which might feel heavy if you hold it in one hand for long. If you mostly work at a desk, the extra weight and size won't bother you during your daily workflow. It stays a simple writing tool.
People who carry a digital planner everywhere should look at the 7.3-inch reMarkable Paper Pro Move because its small size fits in any bag. Since no reMarkable ships with a calendar app, Planneriffic brings your Google, Outlook, or Apple calendars into a PDF planner. It builds an interactive schedule that syncs over USB whenever you connect, as the Move planner guide shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Paper Pro worth upgrading from the reMarkable 2?
Upgrading makes sense if you need color or built-in lighting, but many users find the older monochrome model good enough for basic note-taking and simple reading tasks. The Paper Pro is 40% more responsive than the reMarkable 2, which makes writing feel much more instantaneous. You also gain extra storage and a front light if you work in dark environments.
Does the reMarkable 2 Marker work on the Paper Pro?
A reMarkable 2 Marker does not work on a Paper Pro because the newer model uses active Marker technology that charges when docked. You will need to buy a new stylus to use the features of the color screen. This means your accessories will add to the total cost if you decide to switch.
Is the reMarkable 2 discontinued?
Yes, reMarkable discontinued the reMarkable 2 and now sells it refurbished only following the announcement of the Paper Pure. The new Paper Pure features a 10.3-inch screen and a user-replaceable battery held with screws. Buying refurbished means you are getting an older design with a shorter support horizon ahead.
Is the Paper Pro heavier than the reMarkable 2?
The reMarkable Paper Pro weighs about 525 g, which is significantly more than the 403.5 g weight of the reMarkable 2. This extra weight is felt most when you are holding the tablet in one hand for long reading sessions. The larger screen size also contributes to the bulkier feel in hand.
Does the Paper Pro have better battery life?
reMarkable rates the Paper Pro at two weeks of battery based on two hours of writing a day, five days a week. Battery life will drop faster if you keep the reading light at full brightness while working. The reMarkable 2 lacks a light entirely, so it might last longer under similar use.