Last week I posted about how Onyx keeps re-releasing the same devices over and over again, and it’s kind of the same story with Kobo.
It’s been a long time since they put any real effort into designing a new model, and whenever they do come out with something new they usually abandon it after one model generation.
If you handed the average person a Kobo Clara BW and the original Kobo Clara HD from 2018, most would think they’re the same device. The two Kobo ereaders, now 8 years apart, look exactly the same from a design perspective; the only difference is the BW has some added texture on the plastic casing. Functionally, the software between the two units is nearly identical as well. The Clara BW does have some hardware upgrades, and they sell replacement parts for it, but all the main features are the same and the overall design has hardly changed at all since 2018.
It’s the same story with the Kobo Libra Colour. Outside of the color screen, it’s almost exactly the same device as the Kobo Libra H2O that came out in 2019. The Libra Colour adds Bluetooth support for audiobooks, stylus support for notetaking, and it has a USB-C port instead of a micro USB port, but you’d have a hard time telling the two apart just going by the plastic casing and their general designs.
The other model that Kobo still sells, the Kobo Elipsa 2E, is not an original design either. They reused the oringal Elipsa’s design from 2021 and added a warm frontlight—and that was the only real change.
So Kobo hasn’t actually designed a new model since 2021 with the original Elipsa eNote. That was also the same year the Kobo Sage came out with a premium design and a larger 8″ screen. But Kobo abandoned that model without replacing it, just like they abandoned the Kobo Forma from 2018 and the Kobo Aura One from 2016, both of which had new designs for the time.
It seems like anytime they come out with something unique and new, it gets pushed aside for yet another Clara or Libra clone. How long is Kobo going to keep reusing the same general designs? At some point you’d think they’d come up with a new idea.
If you bought a Kobo Clara HD in 2018 and you decided to “upgrade” to a new model your only option in 2026 for a replacement with a black and white screen is the Kobo Clara BW, and after 8 years it doesn’t really seem like much of an upgrade at all considering it’s still using the same design and the same basic plastic housing. Under the hood there are some upgrades, but does more storage space and waterproofing really matter that much? Apparently Kobo obtained perfection with the Clara and Libra designs and now nothing ever needs to change.
I’m curious what are the hardware changes anyone would actually like to see? I would like physical page buttons on a Clara sized devices…and that’s about it?
Pretty much anything else I would want is in the realm of software, and I’m already accomplishing most of those wants by using KOReader.
I think there may only be so many design variations for a device with a very specific range of use.
I think many companies, including Boox, Kobo, and Amazon, are afraid to change up their devices. Cheaper and safer to stick with the models they already have. What with the increasing prices on hardware, consumers are being cautious about upgrading their devices. The prices of the new Scribe discourages me from upgrading to the cheapest model, even though the promise of a 40% speed increase is tempting. I hate how slow browsing my Scribe is compared to my Colorsoft and Paperwhite.
I’m guessing we’re not gonna see any real changes until there’s a big improvement in e-ink technology, whether it’s a sharper screen for B/W or a significant improvement for color.
I don’t understand this post. For one, they are e-readers. The technology has been pretty mature for awhile, and it is unlikely any major bleeding edge developments are going to happen. Its almost like complaining no one refined the hard cover book for 200 years. Well, yeah, its a mature technology.
But even still, there are improvements on the margin like Bluetooth, stylus support, USB-C, and color (though some may argue color e-ink was more bleeding edge), but you dismiss them as nothing.
So, how can Kobo (or anyone win). People complain if they don’t change and still complain when they do…
It’s just that I wish Kobo would do more than the bare minimum when it comes to designing their reading devices. For years one of my biggest complaints has been the cheap plastic build quality of the Libra and Clara models, and now that’s all we have left. They used to offer more options, some with nicer designs and build quality. I don’t understand why they can’t refine them more like other companies. I just got the Pocketbook Era Lite and it’s quite a bit nicer than the Libra Colour, despite costing $60 less. It’s like Kobo isn’t even trying anymore.
I really liked the design of the Kobo Forma and Libra H2O. I prefer the more rectangular shapes over the round ones. Fortunately you can’t really see them too much if you use a sleepcover.
But at this point we can be happy if Kobo releases an ereader with a BW screen, anything else is secondary…
At the moment there are still no signs of any upcoming kobo.
Love my Kobo – it does a great job and I’m pretty happy with the range of features. I just wish they’d make it look and feel more desirable. The page turn buttons should be more comfortable to use, as it is, they’re quite narrow and need a bit more force to press than necessary. Overall, the build quality is a bit meh compared to most modern devices with obvious seams where it was joined together. The plastic feels a bit cheap with a non-premium finish. Maybe the early Sony readers spoiled me for how an eReader should look and feel.
I couldn’t agree more. I think part of my disappointment comes from testing so many other devices over the years, and Kobo’s designs are just so basic and the cheap plastic casings are unappealing to me. Even the super cheap Xteink ereaders look and feel much nicer in your hands—they don’t look or feel like cheap plastic budget devices, despite only costing $69.
I agree that I wish they had a better feel. I was so hestitant about getting a Kobo device because I was used to the premium feel of the kindles. I still don’t have a Kobo device because of the cheap plastic feeling. A friend let me use hers, and I couldn’t justify the price.
Two years ago I broke my beloved Kobo Aura One by accidentally dropping it. Didn’t feel like the Sage to be a good potential replacement with the reported battery capacity issues, so I bought a Clara BW expecting a new 8″ reader to be launched end of 2024/beginning 2025. Two years later there still isn’t a new 8″ reader. That’s disappointing to say the least.
At one time I was also interested in an Elipsa for reading and annotating technical books/PDFs. Didn’t feel the 2E was quite there yet and figured a newer version would solve them. Alas, an Elipsa 3 has been long overdue. At this stage I don’t expect a new Elipsa to appear at all.
Yes, I do get that ereaders don’t get outdated as quickly as other computing devices. But even minor refreshes are important. In case of the Sage better battery capacity, in case of the Elipsa, additional steps as an annotation/note taking device, maybe even color (only device where color arguable makes real sense). In case of other devices better/more premium feel (see comment re cheap plastic feel)
Software wise: I do like that Kobo acted relatively quickly in providing Instapaper integration when Pocket was decommissioned. I also like the efforts around Storygraph (though not yet using it). So not all is bad.
I strongly agree with this.
I am desperately waiting for an Elipsa 3…. or even a new Elipsa 2.5.
But not a peep.
C’mon Kobo! At least give us some rumors!
Oh well.