Last year Kobo released three new ebook readers in various sizes. There’s the 7-inch Kobo Libra 2, the 8-inch Kobo Sage, and the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa.
For a long time Kobo only offered 6-inch ereaders (along with the underappreciated 5-inch Kobo Mini, which I wish they would bring back), but now Kobo has moved onto to larger devices and their 6-inch models are lagging behind.
Kobo currently sells two different 6-inch ereaders but both are due for an upgrade.
The Kobo Nia was released in 2020 but the weird thing about it is it wasn’t really a new model. They just took an existing model, the Kobo Aura 2, and repackaged it. About the only thing they changed was the outer casing, and they just basically reused that from the Clara HD.
Speaking of the Kobo Clara HD, it’s still available too but it was released in 2018. It’s pretty uncommon for ereaders to stay on the market unchanged for 4 years.
I could see the Kobo Nia sticking around for another year or two, but it’s definitely time for the Clara HD to get replaced by a newer model. Newer E Ink screens have better contrast so that’s one improvement they could easily make, along with a switch to USB-C. I also think the power button should be moved from the bottom edge to the top back like Kobo’s newer models to help avoid accidental presses.
It’s kind of a shame that 6-inch ereaders have basically been relegated to budget status now. I wouldn’t mind seeing Kobo release a premium 6-inch model with a nicer design and page buttons on both sides of the screen. That probably won’t happen but what’s the point of offering two budget 6-inch models that are within $20 of each other? That’s something that never made sense about the current lineup. Let the Nia be the cheap model.
What would you like to see from the next 6-inch Kobo ereader?
Buttons
I agree, buttons would be nice! And I like the size of the 6-inch readers as they can fit easily in my bag and are lighter in weight for travelling and for holding.
A reduction in size to 5 inch.
Even Boox haven’t released their new 6” devices to the international market (poke 4 and 4s). Seems to be a trend. If they downsized the nia to a 5” (a Kobo that would compete with the Inkpalm etc) and kept the Clara/new Clara 2 as the 6”, then they’d have a winning line-up.
Same with the new Pocketbook that was announced (the Era). Seems like it’s a replacement for the Touch HD3, and it’s 7” instead of 6”. They’ve also made it flush screen which I’m not happy about tbh.
The claraHD already has 300 dpi, which I think is the highest resolution available as far as I know. Outside of USB C and some buttons there really is not anything to add.e
The newer Carta 1200 screens have better contrast. Using ppi or dpi isn’t really an adequate measurement for how good screens are anymore. Color E Ink screens have 300 ppi but they don’t look nearly as good as regular black and white screens with 300 ppi. And the old Kindle Voyage with 300 ppi still looks better than any of the newer screens with 300 ppi. Contrast is more of a factor than resolution. Unfortunately companies don’t list the contrast ratio of their screens, and every one is different because of all the added layers they insist on adding over the screen. E Ink screens looked much clearer back in the day with infrared touchscreens and no added layers.
I own both a 6′ and a 6′ kindl. I dispise the kindel. I bought only because some books are not on kobo
One thing both should have is a scroll feature..
Page buttons also.
The Carta 1200 screen is an upgrade, but wouldn’t get me to replace my Clara. Neither would USB-C. I would assume any new reader will have those.
Adding waterproofing would get me to upgrade though.
Ideally I’d love to see Kobo firmware in a Glowlight 4 frame. I’d snap that up.
I love my kobo clara hd. I’ve never accidentally touched the bottom button and I read in bed with it on my chest. I’d like to see a 6.4 or 6.5 inch eReader from kobo with more storage for more books. I have the 7 inch kobo libra h20 but it’s a little big, don’t get me wrong I prefer it over my oasis but I’d like a reader that a little smaller. Call it kobo clara plus.
They need to relaunch Libra H2O (without waterproofing, to make it cheaper) with a 6″ screen and I would buy it. Love that design but can’t find it anymore for sale (can’t afford the 189€ Libra 2).
I bought a CLARA, it’s too small. Cataracts— so need bigger font. Bought a SAGE, the side charger is great. But when reading a downloaded library book, it jumps to forward scrolling and is you don’t jump to stop it, you can go from page 20 to finished in seconds
I would rather they bring out an improved Elipsa with the warm color lights or a Mini with warm lighting.
I have a Nook Simple Touch. It still works just fine but had a fall and chipped the case. I am shopping for a new reader. Have been looking at Clara HD but if a new one is coming out, will wait for the upgrade. I would like to see a finish on the case that is a little rubbery. I love the 6″ size. Also like larger font sizes.
No buttons