We say six, because Kobo has informed us that the Libra H2O will slowly be phased out starting in November, but the device will still be supported with regular firmware updates for a long while yet.With touchscreens making their way into the e-reader market, the timing is right for the arrival of Kobo's touch-equipped device.īut the Kobo Touch remains an also-ran to Barnes & Noble's Nook and Amazon's Kindle, both of which are much more popular. While Amazon only has three Kindle models to choose from (new generations keep replacing the older ones), Kobo has taken its hardware catalog to six different devices across different budgets. Kobo has even kept its pricing competitive with Amazon – the latest 6.8-inch Paperwhite is now more expensive than the 2018 model thanks to its bigger screen and USB-C charging port, but for a little extra money you could get the Libra 2 with far more storage and a slightly bigger screen, not to mention the one-handed convenience of the page-turn buttons that Amazon pioneered in the Oasis. We're yet to test the new devices, so keep a lookout for our full review. For example, the book navigator that launched with the Kobo Libra H2O quickly made it to the older and basic models, and we’re expecting to see a similar setup on the Sage as is used in the Elipsa to add notes and annotations. In comparison, Kobo has far more frequent firmware updates, and there’s usually something new added to the UX when new hardware is launched. The biggest overhaul of the user experience has only just rolled out, having last been updated way back in 2016. It took Amazon three years to refresh the Kindle Paperwhite, and the tech giant isn’t very regular with firmware updates either. The company hasn’t slowed since then, evolving quite quickly from the basic Kobo Glo to the ultimate Kobo Elipsa.Īmazon, on the other hand, hasn’t seen the need to refresh its line of ebook readers quite as regularly perhaps it doesn't need to, as its Kindles remain the most popular ereader brand on the market today. Kobo has been consistently bringing us new ereaders since 2010, starting with the aptly named Kobo eReader. Sleepcovers for both new Kobos are also available to buy separately.Īnalysis: Getting ahead in the ereader race If you’re keen on adding the Kobo Stylus and the PowerCover, then you’re looking at an additional $39.99 / £39.99 / AU$69.95 and $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.99 respectively. The differences, however, make the Sage a lot more expensive than the Libra 2, launching with a price tag of $259.99 / £249.99 / AU$439.95. The Sage also comes with 32GB of internal storage, Bluetooth connectivity, and an IPX8 certification that makes it waterproof for up to 60 minutes in two meters of water. It’s essentially a magnetic sleepcover with a built-in battery, which sounds like a useful accessory as the Kobo Sage has a 1,200mAh battery as opposed to the Libra 2’s 1,500mAh option.Īnd other than a larger screen (8 inches as compared to the Libra 2’s 7 inches), everything else about the two new Kobo ereaders is pretty much the same. The stylus isn’t the only accessory to set the Kobo Sage apart – there’s a brand-new PowerCover that can be purchased separately that will charge your device while you’re on the move. As an 8-inch option with the asymmetric shape, the Kobo Sage could be a lot easier to handle with a stylus for anyone who likes to make notes while they read. Our main gripe with the Elipsa was that a 10.3-inch ereader was just too unwieldy to write on when used handheld, it needed to be on a table for a comfortable writing experience. The new Kobo Sage also boasts a big industry first, being the first mainstream ereader to come with stylus support – although unlike the larger Elipsa, the Kobo Stylus won't be included as standard with the Sage it'll need to be purchased separately.
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