Kindle Colorsoft Review: Why I'm Returning My $279 E-Reader and Choosing the Kobo Libra Colour Instead
Summary:
- Eileen, a long-time Kindle Paperwhite user, purchased the new Kindle Colorsoft but decided to return it after an unfulfilling experience.
- The primary reason for her return was a noticeable yellow banding defect at the bottom of the Kindle Colorsoft's screen, especially disappointing for a $279 device.
- While the Kindle Colorsoft offers color e-ink for highlighting, waterproofing, warm light/dark mode, 32GB storage, wireless charging, and pinch-to-zoom for fonts, its cons outweighed its pros for her.
- The lack of physical page-turn buttons and the inconvenient placement of the power button also contributed to her dissatisfaction.
- She opted for the Kobo Libra Colour (priced similarly at around $300 with stylus), which allows for color annotations with a stylus and features physical page-turn buttons, significantly enhancing her reading experience.
- The Kobo also boasts better refresh rates for graphic novels, built-in Overdrive, and Google Drive connectivity, despite having slightly lower contrast than the Kindle.
Introduction and Initial Impressions [0:00]
- The presenter, Eileen, shares her decision to return the new Kindle Colorsoft, despite having spent $300 on it.
- She plans to discuss the pros and cons of the Kindle Colorsoft, identify its ideal user, and compare it to her chosen alternative, the Kobo Libra Colour.
Background with Kindle Paperwhite [0:31]
- Eileen has been using Kindle e-readers for approximately five years, starting with a basic Kindle Paperwhite.
- She acquired the Paperwhite in eighth grade for reading during solitary lunch periods, appreciating its inconspicuous nature for entertainment.
- Her old Kindle Paperwhite is a basic model, full of scratches, still has ads, and is waterproof.
- She highlights its reliability and sufficient storage capacity for her needs.
Pros and Cons of Kindle Colorsoft [1:11]
- Pros:
- Color E-Ink [1:20]: Allows for highlighting in multiple colors (yellow, pink, blue, orange).
- Black and White Contrast [1:39]: Offers superior contrast compared to some other e-readers like the Kobo.
- Waterproof [2:35]: Provides durability for reading in various environments.
- Warm Light/Dark Mode [2:36]: Enhances reading comfort in different lighting conditions.
- Long Battery Life [2:38]: Ensures extended usage without frequent charging.
- 32GB Storage [2:39]: The signature model offers ample space for a large library.
- Wireless Charging [2:49]: Convenient charging option.
- Pinch-to-Zoom Font Size [2:53]: Easy adjustment of text size.
- Kindle Ecosystem Connectivity [2:56]:
- Access to Kindle Unlimited (though not a personal preference for her).
- Integration with Audible for audiobooks.
- Cons:
- Yellow Banding Display Defect [1:50]: A prominent issue causing a yellowish tint at the bottom of the screen, present in many units and negatively impacting reviews.
- Eileen considers this a significant flaw given the $279.99 price point.
- It makes the screen appear "stained" and is visually distracting while reading.
- No Physical Page-Turn Buttons [4:28]: Relies solely on touch screen for navigation, which she found less ergonomic and more prone to accidental touches compared to devices with buttons.
- Inconvenient Power Button Placement [4:58]: Located at the bottom, it's easily pressed unintentionally when resting the device, leading to accidental sleep mode activations.
- A case is recommended to mitigate this issue and protect against scratches.
- Highlighting Interaction [6:39]: Requires two clicks to select a highlight color, which is less streamlined than competitor devices.
- Graphic Novel Refresh Rate [8:44]: Experiences noticeable black screen flashes when turning pages in graphic novels, even with the setting to prevent it turned off.
- Yellow Banding Display Defect [1:50]: A prominent issue causing a yellowish tint at the bottom of the screen, present in many units and negatively impacting reviews.
Who is the Kindle Colorsoft For? [5:22]
- Ideal for "highlight girlies" who enjoy color-coding their highlights in books.
- Suitable for users who frequently utilize Kindle Unlimited due to its exclusive ecosystem.
- Good for existing Kindle Basic or Paperwhite users seeking a color screen upgrade while remaining within the familiar Kindle platform.
- Recommended for those who value the Kindle's core features and can overlook the reported display defect.
Comparison with Kobo Libra Colour [7:05]
- Pricing [7:36]:
- Kobo Clara Colour: Approx. $149.99.
- Kobo Libra Colour: $219.99 (device only), plus $80 for the stylus, totaling around $300 (comparable to Kindle Colorsoft).
- Kobo Libra Colour Pros:
- Stylus for Annotation [7:15]: The key differentiating feature that led Eileen to choose Kobo. Allows for detailed color annotations and note-taking directly on books.
- Physical Page-Turn Buttons [7:59]: Offers a more comfortable and ergonomic reading experience, as the thumb rests naturally on the buttons.
- Faster Graphic Novel Refresh Rate [8:44]: Pages turn smoothly without the distracting black flashes seen on the Kindle Colorsoft.
- Left-Side Brightness Control [9:11]: Conveniently adjust screen brightness by swiping on the left edge.
- Overdrive Integration [9:23]: Direct access to public library catalogs for borrowing e-books.
- Google Drive Connectivity [9:31]: Easy uploading of personal books or PDFs from Google Drive.
- Design [10:11]: Comes in white, which Eileen prefers.
- Lightweight [10:34]: Similar in weight to the Kindle, making it portable.
- Kobo Libra Colour Cons:
- Lower Black and White Contrast [9:49]: Text and images may appear less sharp compared to the Kindle Colorsoft.
- No Wireless Charging [10:01]: Requires wired charging.
- No Built-in Pen Loop [10:39]: The stylus is magnetic but doesn't have a secure integrated storage on the device itself.
- Clunkier Design [10:11]: Visually a bit wider and more "square" than the sleek Kindle design.
Conclusion [11:01]
- Eileen reiterates that the best e-reader is ultimately subjective and depends on individual reading preferences and needs.
- Her personal preference leaned towards the Kobo Libra Colour due to its annotation capabilities, physical buttons, and overall user experience, leading her to return the Kindle Colorsoft.
- She encourages viewers to choose the device that best suits their reading habits and enjoyment.