Kobo goes all-in with E Ink colour

Kobo has decided to take a risk with Kaleido 3 despite the drawbacks produced by its colour filter array.

Kobo appears confident that E Ink colour has developed sufficiently to incorporate it into its e-reader line-up. Kobo Clara has been updated with colour and black-and-white models, but Libra 2 (one of Kobo’s best e-readers) has been updated exclusively in colour. 

Replacing Libra 2 with a colour model has its risks. The Kaleido 3’s pale colours are an advantage, but there are also drawbacks in decreased contrast and a darker screen due to the colour filter array placed over the black-and-white layer. Colour is also only rendered in a lower 150 PPI resolution.

Using the front light will mitigate problems with the darker screen, but it comes with a trade-off of poorer battery life due to its permanent activation. Users sensitive to light when reading may also not find Kaleido a viable option for colour - as the much darker screen is uncomfortable to read without the activation of the front light. Even users comfortable reading with an activated front light can notice a decreased black contrast. 

Considering the issues with Kaleido 3, it is questionable that Kobo did not release a black-and-white version of Libra (similar to Clara) for those who do not think the drawbacks are worthwhile. Kobo may have plans to update Sage without colour and, thus, considered a black-and-white Libra (with similar note-taking capabilities) unnecessary. 

Kobo has priced the updated Clara and Libra competitively. Libra Colour has been upgraded with a better processor, Kaleido 3 and note-taking capabilities, while the price, compared to Libra 2, has only increased by $30/ £30.