Kobo Libra Colour REVIEW: The King of E-Readers?!

Faiz Aly
17 Apr 202410:58

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the Kobo Libra Color e-reader, highlighting its design, which is similar to the previous Libra models but with a lighter weight and improved ergonomics. The standout feature is the 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen with over 4,000 colors, offering a sharp and accurate color display, though not as saturated as other devices. The device is comfortable for one-handed use, has a strong magnet for the stylus, and is waterproof. The interface is intuitive, supporting various file formats, and includes a notebook feature for note-taking. The battery life is impressive, with the device lasting two weeks with heavy use. The Libra Color is praised for its value at $220, with the option to purchase a stylus separately for note-taking and drawing. The review also mentions the upcoming review of the Kobo Clara HD and encourages viewers to subscribe for more content.

Takeaways

  • 📚 The Kobo Libra Color is a new e-reader from Kobo, featuring a color display which was highly anticipated by the narrator.
  • 🎨 It comes with a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen that supports over 4,000 colors, offering a new level of color accuracy for e-reading devices.
  • 📈 The color saturation on the Libra Color's screen is not as vibrant as on smartphones or tablets, but it is designed to be easy on the eyes for reading.
  • 🔋 The device is lightweight, weighing under 200g without a case, and has a larger battery capacity compared to its predecessor, the Libra 2.
  • 💧 The Libra Color is waterproof, allowing for use in the bath or by the pool without worry.
  • 📖 The e-reader has a user-friendly interface, with a focus on ease of use and ergonomic design for one-handed reading.
  • ✍️ It supports note-taking and drawing with a strong magnetic attachment for the stylus, making it suitable for users who enjoy annotating or sketching.
  • 📂 The device does not have a Micro SD card slot, but it does support various file formats and cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for easy book transfers.
  • 🌙 The Comfort Light Pro feature adjusts the light from cool to warmer tones as the day progresses, reducing blue light exposure especially before bedtime.
  • 🔧 The performance of the Libra Color is improved with a doubled CPU speed, making page flips and writing/drawing experiences smoother.
  • ⏱️ Battery life is impressive, with the device lasting around two weeks of heavy use, which includes reading, writing, and listening to audiobooks.
  • 💰 Priced at $220, the Kobo Libra Color offers a premium reading experience with color display capabilities, and an additional $70 for the stylus if note-taking or drawing is desired.

Q & A

  • Which company has recently released two color e-readers?

    -Kobo has recently released two color e-readers, the Kobo Libra Color and Kobo Clara Color.

  • What is the main design feature of the Kobo Libra Color that is designed for single-hand usage?

    -The Kobo Libra Color has a thicker bezel with a slightly curved edge, upward, and two page turn buttons placed for a comfortable grip, making it ergonomic for single-hand usage.

  • What is the material composition of the Kobo Libra Color's casing?

    -The casing of the Kobo Libra Color is made from 80% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics.

  • How much does the Kobo Libra Color weigh without a case?

    -The Kobo Libra Color weighs just under 200 grams without a case.

  • Does the Kobo Libra Color have a Micro SD card slot?

    -No, the Kobo Libra Color does not have a Micro SD card slot.

  • What is the screen technology used in the Kobo Libra Color?

    -The Kobo Libra Color uses a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen that supports over 4,000 colors.

  • How does the color saturation on the Kobo Libra Color compare to that on a smartphone or tablet?

    -The colors on the Kobo Libra Color are not as saturated as those on a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. They appear a bit washed out in comparison due to the limitations of E Ink screen technology.

  • What is the pixel density of the Kobo Libra Color when reading in color and in black and white?

    -The Kobo Libra Color has a pixel density of 150 pixels per inch when reading in color and 300 pixels per inch when reading in black and white.

  • What is the battery life of the Kobo Libra Color like after two weeks of rigorous testing?

    -After two weeks of rigorous testing, which included writing, reading colorful graphic-heavy novels, and listening to audiobooks via Bluetooth with Wi-Fi on and the screen set at 40% brightness, the Kobo Libra Color went from 80% to 32% battery life.

  • How does the Kobo Libra Color support note-taking and drawing?

    -The Kobo Libra Color has a strong magnetic edge to hold the stylus securely. It is also the first ever notetaking and reading e-reader, with a 'My Notebooks' tab in the navigation bar for easy access to notes.

  • What file formats does the Kobo Libra Color support?

    -The Kobo Libra Color supports a variety of popular file formats including 10 document file types and 4 image file types. It also supports Kobo's own audio books.

  • How can users transfer books and notes to the Kobo Libra Color?

    -Users can sign into cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive to transfer books and notes. They can also access their notebooks through the Kobo app on their phone.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Kobo Libra Color E-Reader

The video begins with an introduction to the Kobo Libra Color e-reader, a device that the presenter has been eagerly anticipating. The presenter discusses the release of not one, but two color e-readers by Kobo, following a previous video where they expressed their desire for such a device. A full unboxing video of both e-readers was previously posted, and this video promises a comprehensive review of the Kobo Libra Color. The design of the e-reader is highlighted as being unchanged since 2019, but praised for its ergonomics and single-handed use, featuring a textured back and a sunken display for reduced glare and fingerprints. The device is also noted for its use of recycled materials and its light weight, despite a larger battery. The video also mentions the strong magnet for the stylus, waterproof capabilities, and the importance of comfort during reading sessions.

05:02

🖥 Display and User Interface of the Kobo Libra Color

The presenter delves into the display technology of the Kobo Libra Color, which features a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen capable of displaying over 4,000 colors. While the colors may not be as saturated as those on other devices like phones or tablets, the presenter notes that the screen is still quite sharp and the colors are accurate. They emphasize that the e-paper technology is designed for reading comfort and long battery life, comparing the experience to reading a newspaper with colorful images. The screen also includes Comfort Light Pro for better eye comfort during nighttime reading. The user interface is discussed as being intuitive and similar to other e-readers, with the addition of note-taking capabilities and the advantage of a color display, which enhances the visual appeal of the device. The presenter also mentions the support for various file formats and the convenience of cloud services for transferring books and notes.

10:02

🔋 Performance, Battery Life, and Conclusion

The video concludes with a discussion on the performance and battery life of the Kobo Libra Color. The presenter acknowledges that performance is not a major concern for e-readers, as the primary goal is to provide a smooth page-turning experience. The device is noted to have a faster page-flip speed due to an upgraded CPU. The battery life is praised as being quite good, with the presenter sharing their experience of using the device for two weeks with a significant amount of reading, writing, and audiobook listening before needing to recharge. The battery capacity is increased to 2500 mAh, which is a notable improvement over the previous model. The presenter concludes by reiterating the excellent value of the Kobo Libra Color at a price point of $220, even considering the need to purchase the stylus separately. They invite viewers to share their thoughts and questions in the comments and to stay tuned for a forthcoming review of the Kobo Clara Color.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡e-reader

An e-reader, short for electronic reader, is a portable electronic device designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals. In the context of the video, the e-reader is the central theme as the host discusses the Kobo Libra Color, a new model with color display capabilities, which is a significant development in the e-reader market.

💡Kobo Libra Color

The Kobo Libra Color is a specific model of e-reader that has been released by the company Kobo. It is notable for its color display, which is a step up from traditional monochrome e-ink displays. The video provides an in-depth review of this device, focusing on its design, display, and functionality as an e-reader.

💡color e-ink display

Color e-ink display technology refers to the screen technology used in e-readers that allows for the display of images and text in color, as opposed to the traditional black and white. The video emphasizes the Kobo Libra Color's 7-inch Kido 3 screen, which supports over 4,000 colors, marking a significant innovation in e-reader technology.

💡ergonomic design

Ergonomic design relates to the study of designing products that fit the human body and its movements comfortably. In the video, the host appreciates the ergonomic design of the Kobo Libra Color, which is comfortable for single-handed use, with a textured back for grip and a curved bezel for easy handling.

💡recycled materials

Recycled materials are materials that have been reprocessed after initial use, reducing waste and the need for new raw materials. The video mentions that the Kobo Libra Color's casing is made from 80% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics, which is a sustainable feature of the device.

💡waterproof

A waterproof device is designed to resist the intrusion of water to some extent, allowing it to be used in wet environments without damage. The Kobo Libra Color is described as being waterproof for up to an hour and up to 2 meters of water, making it suitable for use in the bath or near a pool.

💡Comfort Light Pro

Comfort Light Pro is a feature in premium e-readers that adjusts the light's color temperature to reduce blue light exposure, which can interfere with sleep patterns. The Kobo Libra Color has this feature, which changes the light from cool to warmer tones as the day progresses, enhancing the reading experience, especially before bedtime.

💡note-taking

Note-taking refers to the act of writing down information or ideas, often for later reference. The video discusses the Kobo Libra Color's capability as a note-taking device, which is a new feature for Kobo e-readers. The host mentions the convenience of having a 'my notebooks' tab for easy access to notes.

💡file format support

File format support refers to the types of digital files that a device can read or process. The Kobo Libra Color supports a wide range of file formats, including text, comic, and image files, which enhances its versatility for different types of digital content consumption.

💡performance

In the context of electronic devices, performance refers to how efficiently and quickly the device can execute tasks. The video mentions that the Kobo Libra Color has improved performance with a doubled CPU speed, resulting in faster page flips and smoother operation for reading and writing tasks.

💡battery life

Battery life is the amount of time a device can operate before needing to be recharged. The Kobo Libra Color is praised for its good battery life, with an upgraded battery capacity of 2500 mAh, allowing for weeks of use on a single charge, depending on usage patterns.

Highlights

Kobo is releasing two new color e-readers: the Kobo Libra Color and Kobo Clara Color.

The design of the Kobo Libra Color is similar to the previous model, maintaining an ergonomic design for single-hand usage.

The device is made from 80% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics.

The Kobo Libra Color is lighter than its predecessor, the Libra 2, weighing just under 200g without a case.

The e-reader features a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen with over 4,000 colors, currently the best color e-paper display on consumer devices.

The color display provides sharp text and fairly accurate colors, though not as saturated as on smartphones or tablets.

The Comfort Light Pro technology adjusts the light from cool to warmer tones as the day progresses, reducing blue light exposure.

The Kobo Libra Color supports note-taking and has a strong magnetic edge to secure the stylus.

The device is waterproof, allowing for up to an hour of submersion in water up to 2 meters deep.

The user interface is intuitive and easy to use, with a notable addition of a 'My Notebooks' tab for note-taking features.

The color display is utilized effectively in the interface, with color-matching elements and a pleasant visual experience.

The Kobo Libra Color supports a wide range of file formats, including 10 document file types and 4 image file types.

The e-reader offers integration with cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for easy book and note transfer.

The device has a dark mode feature, although it inverts text colors with a persistent white background for the home screen and notebooks.

The Kobo Libra Color has a high brightness level and adjustable light temperature, suitable for comfortable night-time reading.

The performance of the e-reader is improved with a doubled CPU speed, providing smooth operation for reading and writing.

The battery life is impressive, with the capacity upgraded to 2500 mAh, offering weeks of usage on a single charge.

The Kobo Libra Color is priced at $220, offering good value with its premium features, though the stylus needs to be purchased separately.

Transcripts

00:00

[Music]

00:03

[Applause]

00:03

[Music]

00:11

everyone this is FaZe and welcome to my

00:13

channel a couple years ago I did a video

00:15

about how I really wanted an e-reader

00:17

with a color display especially from a

00:20

company with a strong ecosystem like

00:22

Amazon or Kobo and finally Kobo is

00:25

coming out with not one but two color

00:28

e-readers the coob Libra color and Kobo

00:31

Clara color last week I did a full

00:34

unboxing video of both the e-readers

00:36

which you can click the link above or in

00:38

the description below to check that

00:39

video out and as promised I'm here with

00:42

my full review of the Cobo Libra color

00:45

and my review of the Coba cleric color

00:47

will drop in a few days so stay tuned

00:48

for that but first let's talk about

00:51

design now for those who have used the

00:53

previous Coba Libra e-readers you might

00:55

be a little disappointed that the design

00:57

has not changed much over the Libra too

01:00

it is pretty much the same design since

01:03

2019 but I don't actually mind that at

01:06

all the design is good and after all if

01:08

it ain't broke why fix it right it ands

01:11

down one of the most ergonomic designs

01:13

that I've used in an e reader the Cobra

01:16

Libra in general was designed for

01:17

single-hand usage with the edge of the

01:19

thicker bezel still slightly curved

01:21

upward with two page turn binds

01:24

perfectly placed to provide a

01:26

comfortable grip I really dig this

01:28

textured back as well and it adds a nice

01:31

grip and the power switch on the rear is

01:32

still the same round concave also

01:35

brought from the Liber 2 is the round

01:36

white indicator light that glows when

01:38

you start charging it or when you turn

01:40

it on the entire device is encased in

01:43

plastic which is now made from 80%

01:46

recycled materials including ocean bound

01:49

Plastics what I find quite impressive is

01:51

that Kobo has managed to keep the weight

01:53

of the device down despite using a

01:56

larger battery in the Libra color it

01:58

weighs just a hair under 200 g without a

02:01

case which is surprisingly lighter than

02:03

the Libra 2 that weighs at 215 G the

02:07

Libra color looks pretty much identical

02:09

to the Libra 2 yet it's lighter and that

02:12

is quite noticeable the moment you pick

02:14

it up also for those who don't like

02:16

displays in flush with the bezel you'll

02:19

really appreciate this sunken in display

02:21

which I personally like because I feel

02:23

like sunken in displays always remove a

02:25

little more glare and also unwanted

02:27

fingerprints now aside from the sunken

02:30

in display I also quite enjoy the page

02:32

term buttons because they're quite nice

02:34

and clicky and overall it's the device

02:36

is quite comfortable to hold and use in

02:39

one hand now a lot of you were asking if

02:41

there's a Micro SD card slot and the

02:43

answer is no now many of my subscribers

02:46

also asked me if the magnet is strong

02:48

for The Stylist on this all new Cobo

02:50

Libra and I'm happy to say that the

02:52

answer is yes so for those who like note

02:54

taking and drawing Kobo has made the

02:56

magnetic Edge quite strong so your

02:58

stylist would stay nice and secure and

03:00

to be honest if you use a case and you

03:02

don't even have to worry about that at

03:03

all also it's waterproof for up to an

03:05

hour and up to 2 m of water but at the

03:07

end of the day what's important for an

03:09

e-reader is if it's nice and comfortable

03:11

to hold during reading sessions which it

03:13

definitely is and the display which we

03:15

will discuss now because that is the

03:17

major attraction of this new Cobo

03:19

perhaps the most exciting feature of

03:21

this new Cobo Libra is a 7in Kido 3

03:25

screen that supports over 4,000 views

03:28

and is currently the best color eaper

03:31

display being used on consumer devices

03:33

now when I did the unboxing video a lot

03:35

of people were asking about the quality

03:37

of the display well I must say that the

03:39

text and images on this Libra color are

03:42

quite sharp and the colors are fairly

03:45

accurate however I must caution you

03:47

while this screen Tech can display over

03:49

4,000 colors the colors don't appear as

03:52

saturated as they would look on a phone

03:54

laptop or tablet they're a little washed

03:56

out in comparison and that's the

03:58

limitation of just eaper screen

04:00

technology in general and I also want to

04:03

add that this is not a bad thing the

04:05

color accuracy and saturation that we're

04:07

so used to seeing on our smartphones and

04:10

computers is not what we should be

04:12

expecting in the first place these are

04:14

not LCD displays when reading on this

04:17

for long periods of time with any e in

04:19

display it's easy on the eye I would

04:22

compare reading on this to like a

04:24

newspaper with colorful images some

04:26

might call it washed out but for ink on

04:28

paper that is meant for reading and

04:30

should be easy on the eye and gives

04:32

weeks of battery life this is quite

04:34

amazing you get 150 pixels per inch when

04:37

reading in color and 300 pixels per inch

04:39

when breeding in black and white which

04:41

is standard for most monochrome ebook

04:43

e-readers as with all premium Kobo

04:45

e-readers the Libra color screen is also

04:47

lit up with Comfort light Pro which

04:49

automatically changes the light view

04:51

from cool to warmer tones as the day

04:53

progresses this reduces the amount of

04:55

blue light hitting your eye closer to

04:57

bedtime overall the reading experience

04:59

is nice and those who like reading

05:01

graphic novels Manga comic books or

05:04

anything with color you're really going

05:06

to enjoy reading on this Cal Libra

05:09

however like with any new technology it

05:11

will improve over time pixels per inch

05:14

will go up the color saturation will be

05:16

better as the years progress however I

05:19

still want to say that an e in color

05:22

display is Major Innovation and Kobo has

05:25

done a fantastic job with the execution

05:28

of it on their device I do not feel like

05:31

the screen is dim or dull the lighting

05:33

on this e-reader is topnotch and I can

05:35

almost promise that reading on this it's

05:39

pure joy now let's talk about the user

05:41

interface look I've primarily always

05:44

been an Amazon Fanboy always reading on

05:46

Kindles but after using this Cobra for a

05:48

while I must say I quite enjoy it and

05:51

don't miss my Kindle at all the UI is

05:54

quite intuitive and very easy to use and

05:57

to be honest the UI for almost all e

05:59

readers nowadays are nearly identical

06:02

however there is one major difference to

06:04

the interface now the Libra is also a

06:06

not taking device so there is a my

06:08

notebooks tap right in the center of the

06:10

navigation bar at the bottom the first

06:12

ever notetaking read e-reader I ever

06:15

used was the Kindle scribe the writing

06:17

experience on there was pretty good but

06:18

I always wish there was a smaller

06:20

version of it now that I was writing on

06:22

a 7in screen I enjoyed it but they

06:24

almost started missing the bigger screen

06:26

Of The Scribe because the smaller screen

06:28

makes it feel a little more congested

06:30

but when you get used to it it feels a

06:32

lot more comfortable now the other

06:34

change to the interface is how Cobo is

06:36

really taking advantage of the color

06:38

display and I don't mean just the book

06:40

covers that are displayed on the home

06:41

screen or the content displayed in the

06:43

books themselves you see every time you

06:45

select the tab from the navigation bar

06:48

it changes color from black to Brown

06:51

also when you're downloading books the

06:52

status bar is also the same color to

06:54

match the application this is a very

06:57

nice touch also this coobo supports a

07:00

ton of popular file formats and there

07:02

are a total of 10 document file types

07:05

that coobo supports by default and this

07:07

includes text and comic formats there

07:10

are also four image files that are

07:12

supported and the only audio file

07:14

support though is for kobo's own audio

07:16

books that you can download from the

07:17

Cobo store or via a subscription to Cobo

07:20

plus so you can't import your own audio

07:23

unfortunately what I really like however

07:25

is that you can sign into Dropbox or

07:27

Google drive to help transfer books it's

07:29

it's very easy to use these cloud

07:31

services and it's also quite seamless to

07:33

transfer notes and notebooks you can

07:35

even access them through the Cobo app on

07:37

your phone also you do get dark mode but

07:40

I'm not sure if I like the

07:41

implementation here because it only

07:43

inverts the text colors for example the

07:46

home screen will still be displayed on a

07:48

white background as will all your

07:50

notebooks so it's only the text within

07:52

ebooks that can have white text on a

07:54

black background aside from that you

07:56

also have Amber LEDs that allow you to

07:58

change the white light you to warmer

08:00

tones to help you reduce the blue light

08:02

this makes a huge difference for reading

08:04

at night now for all those who worried

08:06

that color e readers seem dim then let

08:09

me just say that I am very impressed at

08:11

how bright the Libra color can get you

08:14

will not be disappointed with the

08:15

brightness levels that I can guarantee

08:18

you can easily adjust the light the

08:20

brightness and temperature by tapping on

08:22

the top of the screen to bring up the

08:23

quick controls like the previous Libra 2

08:26

and the newer models you can set the

08:27

light temperature to change

08:28

automatically at a specific time in the

08:31

evening or night and of course you can

08:32

change the brightness just by the

08:34

toggles now let's go over performance

08:37

this is what I hate to talk about with

08:39

e-readers because to be honest

08:41

performance on e-readers doesn't matter

08:43

too much the goal is to Simply flip your

08:45

pages of the books that you're reading

08:47

that's it so if you have used a Cobo or

08:49

a Kindle before I will say that this is

08:51

slightly faster with those page flips

08:53

because Kobo has double the CPU going

08:56

from 1 GHz to 2 GHz and after 2 weeks

08:59

with a new Libra color there's nothing

09:01

to complain about everything runs

09:03

smoothly even when it comes to writing

09:05

and drawing it all works flawlessly

09:08

lastly let's go over battery life all I

09:10

can say is that it's quite good Kobo has

09:12

upgraded the battery capacity in the

09:14

Libra color to 250 Milah hours compared

09:18

to 1500 in Libra 2 however I was

09:21

rigorously testing this Kobo for this

09:23

review don't forget that I was going

09:25

through all the new features and really

09:28

testing its limits I started using the

09:30

device straight out of the box at 80%

09:32

battery life and I was around 32% after

09:35

2 weeks I'd say that's pretty good

09:38

considering that I was writing reading

09:40

colorful graphic heavy novels and

09:42

listening to audiobooks via Bluetooth I

09:45

had Wi-Fi on all the time and the screen

09:47

was set at 40% brightness and a refresh

09:50

set to every five pages it's also

09:53

important to note that a page refresh

09:55

occurs more frequently when writing and

09:57

every erase triggers another refresh as

09:59

well so the bigger battery capacity in

10:02

this new Cobo is definitely working in

10:04

its favor in conclusion the Cobo Libra

10:07

color is a fantastic e-reader the color

10:10

screen the performance the battery life

10:12

and the writing capabilities are all

10:14

excellent this premium 7in e-reader

10:17

offers really good value at just

10:19

$220 yes you'll need to purchase this

10:22

$70 Cobo stus 2 separately if you're

10:25

into note taking or drawing but I still

10:27

think the whole package is a great great

10:29

deal and at the end of the day I want to

10:31

know your thoughts and questions

10:32

regarding this all new Cobo Libra color

10:35

so be sure to leave them down in the

10:37

comment section below also stay tuned to

10:39

my full review of the Cobo clear out

10:41

color as well that should be dropping

10:43

any day now and of course if you haven't

10:45

subscribed to my channel yet be sure to

10:47

subscribe to my channel and I'll see you

10:49

next time

10:53

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