Likebook has just released a new 7.8-inch Android-based ebook reader and Wacom-enabled digital notepad called the Likebook Ares Note to go along with the new 10.3-inch Likebook Alita that turned up on Amazon earlier in the month.
The Likebook Ares Note is currently selling for $319 from Likebook’s Amazon store. It’s technically a pre-order as it gets released on November 1st, according to the listing.
The Likebook Ares is basically a redesigned Likebook Muses with the addition of a flush front screen and a memory card slot.
Otherwise the specs and software appear to be exactly the same as the Muses that was released earlier in the year.
The Likebook Ares has an 8-core processor, 32GB of storage space and 2GB of RAM. The E Ink screen has 300 ppi and the frontlight has warm and cool color temperatures.
It has a USB-C port, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 3200mAh battery. It also has dual speakers and a microphone. It weighs 268 grams.
Like other Likebooks the software is based on Android 6.0 and it can install Android apps.
Considering the fact you can get an Onyx Nova Pro for the same $319, the price of the Ares just doesn’t make sense.
Likebooks are basically Onyx clones, even more so with these new designs. The problem is Likebook’s software isn’t as advanced or as polished as Onyx’s software, which is superior in virtually every way. The only advantage the Likebook has is the memory card slot, and that might be enough for some folks.
Of note: The Likebook Ares has speakers and a microphone, which the Onyx Nova Pro does not. Depending on your use case, that may make the difference for some people. An SD card slot means I can store Wikipedia and Gutenberg offline with Kiwix while having plenty of extra space for audiobooks and music. Versus the Likebook Mars, the upgrade to the Ares is worth it for me.
Thanks for the info. I’m curious about Nova Pro vs. Likebook Ares. Thank you.
Heads up for Ares Note owners, I just got an update over the air and it seems to have improved responsiveness. I was happy before but it seems to have made the stylus a little more accurate and sensitive.
Hi, how are you finding the ares? i am torn between the ares and the nova pro. While the ares has better specs, the nova (i hear) has better software. is the ares stil on android 6? are they going to upgrade to 9 anytime soon?
Ares has audio for audio book lovers in me plus SD slot to expand space. Nova has better software which is like Apple has better software than Android. Since i am using an Andriod, i don’t mind not having better software but that’s me 🙂