Kobo Nia Review: A Modest Budget E-Reader Replacement for the Aura
The State of the E-Reader Market
Once a thriving space with fierce competition, the e-reader market has largely been dominated by Amazon in recent years. Yet Kobo—backed by Rakuten since 2012—remains a resilient contender, holding strong market positions in Canada, France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. While Kobo has previously introduced innovative features to challenge Amazon, its latest release, the Kobo Nia, takes a more conservative approach as a budget-friendly successor to the discontinued Aura.
What’s New (and What’s Not)
Design Tweaks
The Nia sports subtle hardware refinements:
- Power button relocation: The bulky blue button on the Aura’s back is replaced with a sleeker black version at the device’s base.
- Slightly refined dimensions: A tad lighter and narrower, though the changes are minimal.
Display and Performance
- Screen: Retains a 6-inch E Ink Carta display (212ppi), but with a puzzling resolution drop from 1024 x 768 to 1024 x 758.
- Storage: Doubled to 8GB (holds ~6,000 books), a welcome upgrade from the Aura’s 4GB.
- Lighting: Features the same front-lit ComfortLight, lacking Amazon’s adjustable color temperature.
Who Is the Kobo Nia For?
Priced at $100, the Nia sits between Amazon’s ad-supported Kindle (\(90) and ad-free model (\)110). While it doesn’t revolutionize the budget e-reader space, Kobo’s platform offers key advantages:
- Open ecosystem: Supports non-proprietary formats like ePub, a win for users with diverse ebook libraries.
- Durability: SleepCovers (sold separately) are recommended to protect the scratch-prone E Ink screen.
Final Verdict
The Kobo Nia is a modest update—more of a placeholder than a game-changer. Yet for readers seeking an affordable, format-flexible alternative to Kindle, it remains a solid choice. Pre-orders began July 14, with shipments starting July 21.
Image Credits: Brian Heater
Image Credits: Brian Heater
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