According to the iFixit website, Kobo has released a revised version of the Kobo Libra Colour with a slightly larger battery and some other minor changes to the internal components.
The Kobo Libra Colour was first released in April of 2024, and the original version’s model number is N428. This newer version has a B appended to the model number: N428B.
The iFixit website is partnered with Kobo to sell replacement parts for Kobo’s ereaders so they’re a reliable source on this kind of stuff. They don’t give many details about the revision; it just says this about the new model:
“The Kobo Libra Colour (N428B) is a mid-cycle refresh for 2024’s N428 model of Libra Colour, featuring a larger battery and slightly redesigned internals.”
The battery is listed as 2300 mAh for the new N428B model, whereas the original N428 model has a 2050 mAh battery.
If you ever have to buy replacement parts for your Kobo Libra Colour, you’ll have to make sure to get the parts for the proper model number. You can find the model on the handle side of the Libra Colour near the buttons written in tiny print. You can also find the model number on your device by going to More > Settings > About Kobo Libra Colour.
Kobo also released revised versions of the Kobo Clara models earlier in the year, and they have larger batteries too. Kobo has released other models with revisions over the years so it’s a pretty common practice. It’s just easier to document now with iFixit posting about the changes.
I’m sure some folks that are looking to buy a Kobo Libra Colour will prefer to get the newer version with the larger battery, but unfortunately there’s no way to tell if that’s the one you’ll get when buying. At this point it might only be shipping to certain regions or stores. Nobody outside of Kobo really knows. But if you happen to get one with the new N428B model number, leave a comment saying where you got it.
I wonder if the sale is for all the older smaller battery devices. I wish there was a way to tell before ordering.
I recently bought (in Germany) a Tolino VIsion Color, which basically is a Kobo Libra Colour with a slightly different software. The Tolino model number is T106B. After re-flashing the device in order to turn it into a “real” Kobo device, it appears as N428B.
Any idea who is actually shipping the new N-428B version of the Kobo Libra. I ordered one from Amazon but was still the N-428. Waiting on one ordered from Kobo direct but have a feeling it will be old model.