When the Kobo Libra Colour was released earlier this year, a lot of people were disappointed by the fact that Kobo didn’t release a Libra with a regular black and white E Ink screen too for those that don’t care about color E Ink.
Then when Kobo discontinued the Libra 2 soon after the Libra Colour came out, people were even more disappointed by Kobo’s decision to only offer a color Libra model moving forward.
Some have been holding out hope for a Libra BW to turn up, but it’s been over 7 months now and that still hasn’t happened.
There’s a pinned post on reddit where people think a new Kobo ereader is coming soon because of a recent FCC listing, but the FCC paperwork clearly indicates it’s not an ereader, and it most likely doesn’t even have anything to do with Kobo, as Netronix makes products for other companies too, not just Kobo.
Nonetheless, Kobo is probably going to release something new in 2025, and it very well could be a new Libra BW model.
A Kobo Libra BW with stylus support would be pretty well-received, I think. That’s one thing the previous two BW Libra models missed out on. Kobo didn’t add stylus support to the Libra line until the Libra Colour came out. That’s something other 7″ models don’t offer either; it gives Kobo a unique advantage.
The Libra also has the advantage of having page buttons, something Amazon no longer offers on any of their Kindle models, and some people aren’t happy with that.
Probably the biggest argument for a Libra BW is the simple fact that Kobo offers a Clara BW to complement the Clara Colour, and both appear to be selling well. Why not offer a BW version of the Libra too? Not everyone wants or needs color to read ebooks.
I guess Kobo figures there’s the Kobo Sage for those that want a BW model with buttons, but at $269 it’s a lot more expensive than the Libra, and the frontlight and battery aren’t as good, but the overall design is nicer and is adds stylus support.
The Kobo Libra 2 was one of Kobo’s most popular models, and it had the best screen on the market. It would be a shame if Kobo never released an updated version. People seem to really like the Libra Colour too, but not everybody is willing to accept the shortcomings of color E Ink.
I am also curious if a new Libra BW comes out how the repairability will look like. For example the Libra 2 has soldered battery wires but the 2024 Kobo models have connector, so a bit easier to change those.
But from 2027 they have to sell devices with replaceable batteries anyway – at least here in the EU.
Since I discovered that you can put a popsoket on the back of your ereader, I don’t have the need for buttons anymore, on the contrary. I much prefer without.
I really hope they do release a new Libra B&W. I bought a Libra Color and returned it immediately since the contrast on it was worse than my 13 year old Sony e-reader.
I’m waiting for a new Libra BW as well. I have an old Kobo Aura (12 years old) and I’d love to have a bit bigger screen and buttons. I’m wondering now about buying a Clara BW.
Seems like I just missed the boat on the Clara BW, as those are all “sold out” and can’t be found second hand anywhere. I’ve had the Libra 2 for a year running Koreader, I like it but want the smaller form factor. Kobo needs to get its act together regarding their product lineup, good lord. Feels very amateur, leaving would-be customers in the dark about when and even *if* certain products will be available.