Unbeatable E-Reading Showdown: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs Kobo Libra Colour – Find the Perfect Colour E-Reader for You
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft vs Kobo Libra Colour: Colourful E-Reader Showdown
The world of e-readers has just got a whole lot more colourful, thanks to the arrival of the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, the first-ever color e-reader from the tech giant. But how does it stack up against the already-established Kobo Libra Colour? In this article, we’ll dive into the key differences and similarities between these two colourful e-readers.
Pricing and Availability
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft isn’t an entry-level product, with a £269/$269 RRP. You can pre-order it now, with a release date of October 31st, 2024. On the other hand, the Kobo Libra Colour is a more affordable option, priced at £199/$219. It’s available now at a range of retailers.
Design and Build Quality
The main difference between the two e-readers is their design. The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft retains the same overall design as the regular Kindle, with uniform bezels on three sides and a thicker bottom part. In contrast, the Kobo Libra Colour has a larger area to the right of the display for holding the e-reader, as well as two buttons for switching pages while reading.
The Kobo Libra Colour Plays Nicely with Third-Party Services
One of the main reasons to opt for a Kobo e-reader is its willingness to work with third-party services, making it a more open and versatile e-reader. You can access OverDrive and Libby to borrow eBooks from your local library, as well as Pocket to access articles saved on your mobile or desktop, and Google Drive and Dropbox support for downloading eBooks and syncing notes to the cloud.
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is Locked Down
On the other hand, the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is a relatively locked-down system. It only supports Audible, Amazon’s own audiobook service, and doesn’t offer third-party cloud support, making it more difficult to get your own eBook files onto the e-reader.
Stylus Support
The Kobo Libra Colour is compatible with the Kobo Stylus 2, allowing you to turn the e-reader into an E Ink tablet and annotate books or use full-fledged apps. The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, however, doesn’t offer stylus support – but the more expensive Kindle Scribe does.
Battery Life
Both e-readers have excellent battery life, with Amazon claiming the Kindle Colorsoft can last up to 8 weeks and Kobo claiming the Libra Colour can last up to 40 days (around 5.5 weeks of use).
Wireless Charging
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft offers wireless charging, a first for Amazon’s Kindle collection. This means you can charge the e-reader wirelessly using the Made for Amazon Wireless Charging Dock, which isn’t compatible with standard Qi wireless charging. The Kobo Libra Colour, on the other hand, only offers wired charging.
Early Verdict
While it’s difficult to give a definitive verdict without hands-on experience with the Kindle Colorsoft, it seems that Amazon’s new e-reader may have the upper hand with premium features like wireless charging. However, the Kobo Libra Colour has its own strengths, including support for third-party services and a range of ebook file types, as well as optional stylus support. Price is also a factor, with the Kobo Libra Colour coming in at a lower price point.
