Top 10: e-Ink e-Readers with color screen

2024. Kindle finally gets color



Amazon has introduced Kindle Colorsoft - its first color e-reader. Rather than relying on the E Ink technology that powers other color e-readers, like Kobo, Amazon chose to build the entire stack in-house. Color is produced with an E Ink Kaleido color filter applied to the screen itself, combined with the front light. It’s a shift from the usual sort of backlighting we see in tablets, which is both a drain on battery and can affect sleep patterns when reading directly before bed. As with monochrome E Ink, the technology effectively generates an image that stays static until the page is refreshed. Amazon says the goal was to create colors that are gentle on the eyes, similar to print. Battery life does take a hit here, but that’s mitigated to some extent by the new oxide back pane, along with a larger battery than the one found on the Paperwhite. When not using color for things like comics and page highlights, the page maintains the same monochromatic design seen on other Kindles.


2024. Meebook M6C Color e-Reader is now available



Mebook has launched the new M6C Color e-reader on Amazon for $199. It features a 6-inch E INK Kaleido 3-color e-paper display with color resolution of 536 × 724 with 150 PPI and it can showcase 4096 different colors. The body hue is a lovely soft white on the front and back plating. The battery is 2200mAh, which should be adequate for a month of reading; its dimensions are 5.02 x 3.6 x 0.25 inches, weighing 90 grams. Mebook M6C has Google Android 11. The UI is heavily customized with a bright and cheerful user interface, making it easy to use your fingers to engage with all the functionality. However, Android 11 is a bit outdated; lots of their competitors are running Android 12 and some are using Android 13, which provides better long-term app support, not to mention additional security.

2024. reMarkable Paper Pro adds color and light



Norwegian company reMarkable has launched a new model, Paper Pro, that brings the company’s vision of merging PC with paper closer to fruition, adding color and functionality while preserving the philosophy of focus. The $499 Paper Pro — a new naming scheme to signify it as a premium alternative to the now-$379 reMarkable 2, not a direct successor — is noteworthy for its inclusion of both color and a "frontlight," though both features are somewhat subdued. The color remains subtle and you wouldn’t want to read a comic on the device, but the purpose of adding color is to enhance interactive and creative possibilities. Previously, you were confined to black and white, but now you can highlight, circle, jot and sketch in several distinct colors (they blend but appear best in their pure form). The new frontlight is designed to replace the need for external light shining on the screen, not to serve as a light source itself. It’s also fixed to a specific color temperature range because too much variation would affect the color tone.


2024. PocketBook unveiled new Verse Pro Color with 6″ Kaleido 3 Screen



PocketBook has launched the PocketBook Verse Pro Color, a new ereader featuring a 6″ E Ink Kaleido 3 screen, similar to the recently released Kobo Clara Colour. Priced at $169, it is $20 more than the Kobo, but offers additional features such as physical page buttons, text-to-speech (TTS) support and a generally higher build quality. Running on PocketBook's Linux-based software, the Verse Pro Color doesn't support Android apps but is compatible with KOReader and other apps. It includes 16GB of storage, a quad-core CPU for improved performance and is waterproof, though it lacks a memory card slot. The device has an indented screen, Smartlight with adjustable color temperature, Bluetooth for TTS and audiobooks and a USB port for audio adapters. Additionally, it supports Adobe DRM for purchased and library ebooks, along with various DRM-free formats.


2024. Readmoo and PocketBook join forces to launch Color E Ink Tablet



Readmoo and PocketBook have come together to launch a new e-note device featuring a 10.3-inch color e-paper display. While there isn’t a lot that we know of the upcoming e-note device, what is known is that the e-note will offer Readmoo reading and mooSound services. The e-reader will be running Android with support for Google Play. The e-note will have a simple design in that there are going to be thinner bezels along the sides while having a comparatively thicker forehead and chin. There is the PocketBook branding on the top left. Overall the e-note does not break any new ground when it comes to the design but still looks fresh and appealing. The 10.3-inch color e-paper display benefits from a front light feature which allows for comfortable reading even in the dark. The e-note is going to be accompanied by an app that can be used for making notes, scribbling, or drawing, whatever the need might be. The notes can be saved or shared easily, thereby allowing for enhanced functionality with the device. The e-note boasts a thin profile and has a light design that makes it easy to carry around.


2024. Kobo releases new firmware for Colour e-readers



Kobo, in what one can only assume is a spirited attempt to keep its latest e-readers in perfect harmony with the cosmic fabric of electronic stability, has launched a software update for its shiniest new models: the Clara Colour, Libra Colour, and Clara BW. Known for their startling knack for both performance and affordability—a rare and dizzying combination—these devices are getting a touch more robust, though the specifics of what’s been fixed or stabilized remain a mystery, presumably known only to Kobo and perhaps a small cabal of hyper-intelligent squid. The rollout begins today, promising that every reader will soon be up-to-date, though—let's be honest—other models may now feel rather abandoned, left to ponder their own existence. Updating is blissfully simple: press the sync button. For those of a DIY disposition, firmware patches await on Kobo’s site; just select your model, download it to your PC or MAC, connect your e-reader with the USB-C cable, drop the file into the root folder, and with a quick reboot, voilà—you’re in possession of whatever faintly mysterious improvements this update holds.


2024. New 10.3″ Bigme inkNoteX Color with Android 13 is now available



The newly launched Bigme inkNoteX Color, featuring a sizable 10.3-inch color E Ink display, is now purchasable on Amazon albeit at a steep price tag of $699, making it one of the priciest eNotes available presently. Despite the cost, it boasts premium specifications for an E Ink gadget, running on open Android 13 with the capability to install third-party applications. Equipped with an octa-core 2.4GHz MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage with expandability via a memory card slot, the inkNoteX Color also incorporates advanced features like a fingerprint sensor, wireless charging stylus, dual speakers, a microphone, USB-C port, dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Additionally, it sports both front (5MP) and rear (8MP) cameras, a 4000mAh battery and measures 225.6 x 191 x 6.6mm in size. Although its weight remains unspecified, it appears to include a leather case as part of the package.


2024. Pocketbook released new Kaleido 3 e-reader Era Color



In a move that would likely baffle, delight, and possibly even impress beings from all over the galaxy, Pocketbook has introduced the Pocketbook Era Color—a cunning little gadget armed with Kaleido 3 color e-paper technology, which is precisely as advanced and mystifying as it sounds. Not only does this sleek 7-inch device come equipped with audiobook support, a built-in speaker (ideal for those who feel the urge to read with their ears), and Text-to-Speech functionality (for those who prefer their e-books read aloud by a robot), it also features SMARTlight, offering a soothing glow with a delicate sliding scale between "sunlit optimism" and "end-of-the-universe mellow." It's waterproof, too (IPX8, for those who measure their waterproofness in numbers), meaning it’s capable of surviving both a good read in the bath and the occasional cosmic downpour. At $259.99, it’s primed to bring forth vivid e-book covers, comics, webtoons, and PDFs with a display resolution of 1264×1660, ensuring you get your full share of pixelated beauty as you dive into the vast realms of text, colors, and possibly existential quandaries.


2023. iReader Color7 with 7-inch Kaleido 3 display launched



The iReader Color7, a device that could only have emerged from a dimension where e-readers are designed by mildly eccentric geniuses, debuts with a 7-inch color E-Ink display boasting a Kaleido 3 feature—because why settle for a mere 2048 colors when you can have 4096 of them cavorting about with a 30 percent boost in vividness? Its 28-level front light system, equipped with both warm and cold controls (presumably to ensure your eyeballs feel suitably pampered), pairs delightfully with its razor-thin 4mm profile at its slimmest—proof that elegance and a healthy disregard for bulk can coexist. Ingeniously weighted for one-handed use—because two hands are so passé—the Color7 flaunts a proprietary color engine delivering a 40 percent improvement in contrast, as if daring reality itself to look drab by comparison. Customizable buttons lurk on its thicker edge for activities like page-turning (and possibly summoning snacks, though this remains unconfirmed), while an 1800mAh battery keeps the show going for a week. USB-C swoops in for data transfer, and dual microphones stand by for whatever your whims demand. At $330, it’s not just an e-reader; it’s a statement, an adventure, and possibly a lifestyle, all disguised as a sleek rectangle.


2023. New 10.3″ Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C Pro Released



Onyx has introduced the Pro variant of their Tab Ultra C color-ereader, which was launched earlier this year. This upgraded version features a few enhancements and runs on the latest Android version (12 instead of 11). However, the changes seem relatively minor overall. The Pro model boasts a slightly faster processor, increased RAM (6GB instead of 4GB) and is 30 grams lighter. Nevertheless, it comes with a significantly smaller battery (4,600mAh compared to 6,300mAh) and most of the specifications and features remain unchanged. Priced at $649.99, there is also an optional Keyboard Cover with Trackpad available for $149.99. The Tab Ultra C Pro retains the same 10.3-inch color E Ink screen as its non-Pro counterpart, which can be compared to a standard black and white E Ink screen. This identical screen is also featured on the newly released Note Air3 C, which comes at a more affordable price of $499.


2023. Bigme launched color E-Ink Smart Learning Workbook B2



And so, in the grand tradition of human ingenuity—where necessity, convenience, and a sprinkling of showmanship collide—Bigme has unveiled its latest marvel, the Bigme Smart Learning Workbook B2, priced at the oddly specific sum of $549.99. Sporting a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 color E-Ink display that promises either eye-popping clarity in black and white at 300 PPI or a somewhat more mellow 150 PPI in color, this contraption is powered by a hearty 4000mAh battery. The device is further adorned with a 5 MP front camera (ideal for close-ups of one’s existential despair) and an 8 MP rear camera (presumably for more optimistic purposes), alongside dual-frequency Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting to, well, absolutely everything. Add to this its Android 11 open system, built-in speakers, and a quad microphone setup that’s just shy of making it a backup for a rock concert, and you begin to sense the true scale of its ambition. But wait, there’s more! It doesn’t just stop at existing—it teaches. With access to a staggering library of over 40,000 learning materials (covering subjects from the basics to the mind-bendingly complex), it can align itself with nearly every textbook on the domestic market, offering everything from real-time post-class exercises to AI-assisted musings on your homework errors. Sprinkle in video tutorials, intelligent Q&A, and even image-based question searches, and what you have is less a workbook and more a slightly smug, pocket-sized tutor ready to outpace your actual teacher.


2023. Bigme released new colour e-note S6 Color+


In the vast, swirling chaos of the digital cosmos, where decisions about what to read next can feel more daunting than vogon poetry, Bookhound emerges like a benevolent guide dog with impeccable literary taste. With a simple click, you can declare your undying love for a particular genre, and Bookhound will promptly send you a charmingly curated bundle of four splendidly tangible paperbacks—all without the faintest whiff of a galactic credit crisis. This month, the clever chaps at Bookhound present the July Bestselling Feel Good Fiction Bundle, a delightful quartet of romance novels destined to make your heart sing. Among its treasures lies Tessa Bailey's "Hook, Line and Sinker," a rom-com marvel wherein an ex-player hopelessly and hilariously falls for his best friend while gallantly attempting to pair her with someone else—a story so well-loved it’s practically demanded by interplanetary treaty. So why wait? Snag your bundle, fall in love with love, and let Bookhound guide you to romance enlightenment.


2023. MobiScribe released color waterproof eNote - MobiScribe Wave Color



In a move that might cause even the most stoic of scribes to raise an eyebrow, MobiScribe, earlier this year, unveiled the MobiScribe Wave with its black-and-white 7.8-inch E Ink screen—surely a marvel to those who find color a bit too exciting. But now, in a gesture that screams, "Oh, go on then, let’s jazz things up a bit," they've introduced the MobiScribe Wave Color, a dazzling contraption priced at $320 (the grayscale version, for the less flamboyant, is $285). This colorful upstart flaunts a 7.8-inch E Ink Kaleido Plus screen and runs Android 12 with a built-in speaker for those moments when silence simply won’t do. A frontlight with adjustable color temperature ensures you can scrawl your musings in any lighting, and its 2500mAh battery promises not to leave you high and dry too soon. Naturally, it comes armed with a stylus, allowing you to summon 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity via its Wacom touchscreen—because, really, why settle for 4095? Oh, and for the adventurous, it’s waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means it can bravely endure a dunking in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, in case you feel like journaling underwater or just really can’t put it down during a bath.


2023. Guoyue K3 Color e-note comes with 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display



The Guoyue K3 Color, a delightful slab of electronic wizardry, makes its grand entrance sporting a 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display, a technological marvel capable of conjuring up 4096 colors and delivering a crisp 300 PPI resolution in good old monochromatic Black and White mode (a resolution that any self-respecting pixel would be proud of). Tucked within its sleek, metallic confines is xReader, a rather clever little engine that juggles five pen types, sixteen handwriting colors, five width settings, and four different ways to scatter your scribblings across the digital ether. For those inclined to meticulous organization, the device boasts an intimidating arsenal of over 100 note templates—enough to satisfy even the most demanding organizational whims. Security, as always, is paramount, and this cunning contraption ensures it with a fingerprint scanner neatly embedded in the Power button, as if to say, "Nothing gets past me." All of this runs on the reliable Android 11, because why not, and comes paired with a pen so precise—thanks to its 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity—it might just rival the finesse of a caffeinated artist. The price for this portable marvel? A mere $500, which is surely a small sum for a device so thoroughly steeped in the realm of improbable functionality.


2023. Pocketbook unveiled InkPad Color 2 e-reader



Pocketbook has unveiled a new 7.8-inch color e-reader that uses E INK Kaleido Plus e-paper technology. This device is designed to deliver full and vibrant color for digital books, manga and other digital content. Users can access the Pocketbook Store to buy and download digital content and the manual page turn buttons located at the bottom of the reader allow for easy and quick flipping through pages. Moreover, the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 is reliably protected against water damage, meeting IPX8 standards. The device is powered by a 2900 mAh battery that can last up to a month. Additionally, the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 is an ideal e-reader for audio enthusiasts, supporting six audio formats and comes equipped with a built-in speaker, Bluetooth connectivity and a Text-to-Speech function. With the built-in speaker, users can enjoy their favorite stories without the need for additional devices. The Pocketbook InkPad Color 2 is priced at $320.


2023. Onyx Boox is launching the Tab Ultra C with Kaleido 3 color e-paper



Onyx Boox has announced Tab Ultra C, a new 10.3-inch digital note-taking device and e-book reader. It features the latest generation of color e-paper, E INK Kaleido 3, with a flush bezel and a protective layer of glass. The warm and cool light system allows users to read in low-light environments or at night and the 6,300mAh Li-ion Polymer battery provides power for several weeks. Measuring at 225 x 184.5 x 6.7 mm and weighing 480g, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C is equipped with Google Android 11 and preloaded with the Google Play Store. This feature enables users to access millions of free and paid apps by signing into their accounts. Additionally, the device comes with a free Pen 2 Pro stylus that has an eraser and a magnetic sleep cover case, available for $600. An optional case with a full keyboard can be purchased for an additional $110.


2023. Readmoo to launch the world’s first foldable color e-reader



Perhaps it's time for foldable e-readers to enter the mainstream, especially now that foldable smartphones are gaining popularity. Readmoo has taken on this challenge and plans to revolutionize the foldable device technology with the world's first foldable e-reader. This device features an 8-inch e Ink Gallery 3 display that is sure to impress users with its vivid colors and superior refresh rates. E Ink Gallery 3 is an electronic paper display technology that uses a combination of four electronic inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and white) to create vibrant and saturated full-color imaging. Readers have been eagerly anticipating this technology and Readmoo has been working closely with E Ink to develop color e-book readers that meet readers' expectations. At the ongoing Touch Taiwan Smart Display Exhibition, Yuantai Technology is also showcasing a prototype of an 8-inch folding panel that incorporates Gallery 3 technology, providing readers with a chance to experience its application firsthand. The new folding model aims to address two critical reader needs: portability and screen size.


2023. Bigme InkNote Color upgraded with an E INK Kaleido 3 Screen



Bigme InkNote Color (a product designed for note-taking and running Android applications) has been officially updated. The new panel incorporates the latest generation Kaleido 3 screen, offering a more color-accurate experience with a resolution of 1240×930 and 150 PPI. Bigme InkNote Color is less of a basic e-note and more of a versatile tablet. It includes an E INK Carta HD e-paper display with a resolution of 1872×1404 and 227 PPI. The Color panel utilizes E INK Kaleido 3 technology and has a resolution of 1240×930 with 150 PPI, capable of displaying over 5,000 different color variations. Bigme has developed advanced color optimization processing technology to showcase a broader color gamut. One of the advantages of Kaleido 3 is the significant improvement in greyscale uniformity.


2023. Mobiscribe Wave unveiled water-proof e-note reader



Mobiscribe has just unveiled the Wave. This is a specialized e-reader and digital note-taking device. They offer two models: one with a traditional black and white E INK display and another with a color e-paper display utilizing Kaleido Plus. The black and white model is available now, while the color version will start shipping in April. The Mobiscribe black and white model features a 7.8-inch E INK Carta HD display with a resolution of 1404×1872 and 300 PPI. Under the hood is a Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 1.5GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It is waterproof, allowing use in the bathtub or at the beach. It includes a USB-C cable for charging and transferring documents. It also has Bluetooth 5.1 for pairing with wireless headphones or external speakers, although it comes with an external speaker itself. It boasts a decent 2500 mAh battery and is the first e-note to run Android 12.


2023. TCL Nxtpaper 12 Pro - color e-paper tablet with stylus



Chinese device manufacturer TCL has introduced the TCL Nxtpaper 12 Pro—a tablet running Android with a color e-paper display designed to reduce glare and blue light, which the company claims is achieved through a multi-layer filter system. For those who prefer the ‘Kindle’ effect, the tablet includes a special grayscale reading mode that converts the display to monochrome, simulating the E Ink experience. TCL mentioned that reading e-books and other content will be much easier with this reading mode. The tablet also features a paper-like finish that provides a tactile sensation similar to handling actual paper. Additionally, it includes a stylus with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity.


2022. Pocketbook launches new 8-inch color e-reader Viva



PocketBook has unveiled its first dedicated e-reader featuring a Gallery 3 color E Ink Display—Viva. The cutting-edge 8-inch screen can showcase a full color spectrum, making color content on the eye-friendly E Ink display more vibrant than ever. It will be available for shipment in April 2023 and is currently available for pre-order at $599. The PocketBook Viva stands out with a built-in speaker and Text-to-Speech function, IPX8 water resistance and an adaptive SMARTlight. The device also boasts a robust quad-core processor and 64 GB of memory to store thousands of books. Its ultra-modern design with side control buttons and exceptional ergonomics makes the PocketBook Viva an e-reader that captivates at first sight and touch.


2022. HyRead Gaze One is a new color E-Reader



Taiwan-based company HyRead has launched a new 6-inch color e-reader, the Gaze One SC, which not only excels at reading e-books but can also serve as a digital photo frame and a message board. It features a 6-inch color e-paper display, a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and 8 GB of internal storage, with the option to expand by an additional 128 GB via microSD cards. It allows you to read personal files and other content stored in ePub, TXT, or PDF formats directly. The built-in G-sensor will adjust the display orientation to match your reading style each time. While this makes the Gaze One SC a superb e-reader for e-books, magazines, manga and more, its creators have also envisioned additional uses for the device. This includes a customizable message board where you can display anything, such as an excerpt from a book, an uplifting quote, or a special note for your spouse or other loved ones.


2022. Bigme Galy - 8-inch color tablet with E INK Gallery 3



Bigme has just unveiled a new 8-inch color e-note utilizing E Ink Gallery 3 color e-paper technology. It will be capable of displaying over 50,000 different colors, offering an unmatched drawing experience. It will be able to read and edit PDF files in full color, as well as handle comics and magazines. The hardware specifications are exceptional, featuring dual cameras with OCR technology. This will be the first commercially viable Gallery 3 product ever. This is tremendously exciting, not just for Bigme, but if they can demonstrate that Gallery 3 is ready for mainstream use, other companies will likely follow suit. It is set to retail for $699 and is expected to launch in January 2023.


2021. Onyx released Boox Nova 3 with color E Ink screen


Onyx has launched a new version of its e-reader, the Boox Nova 3. This model is nearly identical to the standard Nova 3, but it features a color 7.8-inch E Ink display. Additionally, it includes a cool-colored frontlight (without the warm light option) and an improved touchscreen with stylus support, though the resolution remains unchanged. The other specifications are the same: 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, USB-C, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. Like other Boox e-readers, it operates on Android 10 and supports the installation of Android apps. Users can draw in 16 colors, use 5 different brushes and read and annotate PDF documents. The device also offers new customizable settings, additional gestures, screen recording and updated sharing options for easy content transfer. Additionally, the ePub engine has been enhanced. It is priced at $419.99 and includes a complimentary case.


2021. PocketBook unveiled 7.8-inch InkPad Color


PocketBook InkPad Color, an e-reader with a 7.8-inch color E Ink display, is now available on Amazon for $329. It's nearly identical to the smaller 6-inch PocketBook Color that was launched last year, but the good news is that it includes a USB-C port. The “new” Kaleido screen offers enhanced colors and a brighter background. PocketBook InkPad Color features a dual-core 1GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It also has a microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a front light, but these color models do not include the warm front light. The new model is equipped with a 2900mAh battery and the device weighs 225 grams. PocketBooks support various formats, including ePub, PDF, CBR, CBZ, FB2, HTML, MOBI and more.


2019. E Ink introduced Print-Color display



E Ink has unveiled a new color E Ink display technology known as Print-Color. This technology enables each pixel on an electronic paper display to show black, white, red, green, blue, or a combination of these colors. In theory, this new display technology could be used in consumer devices such as eReaders, but it remains uncertain whether there is sufficient demand to achieve the economies of scale necessary for companies like Amazon, B&N, or Kobo to offer color eReaders at appealing prices. Initially, E Ink intends to focus on applications in education, retail and business.


2012. PocketBook unveils first eReader with Color E Ink screen



PocketBook has introduced a new e-reader, the PocketBook Color, featuring a color E Ink display combined with a frontlight. So far, color E Ink technology hasn't achieved great success due to its need for high ambient light for vibrant colors; otherwise, colors tend to look dim and washed out. The addition of the frontlight aims to address this issue. Unlike previous models with 9.7-inch screens, the PocketBook Color uses an 8-inch Triton display. It supports 4096 colors and has a resolution of 800×600. Additionally, it includes PocketBook’s advanced firmware, which is PDF-friendly and supports a wide range of formats.


2010. Barnes & Noble Nook Color revealed



Barnes & Noble has introduced its new Nook Color, an Android tablet featuring a 7-inch color touchscreen... goodbye, e-ink! (The original Nook, priced at $149, will remain available for now, holding 20 percent of the e-reader market and set for a significant software update). B&N is marketing it as a blend of e-reader and tablet, enhancing its software with a full tablet-style interface and integrating Facebook and Twitter. It includes built-in WiFi (802.11b/g/n) and 8GB of storage, though it lacks 3G connectivity at this time. Fortunately, the price remains competitive: $249. You might expect the screen to be subpar, but B&N has managed to incorporate an impressive "VividView," 16 million color, 1024 x 600 IPS display. Notably, there's a "full lamination screen film" over the LCD to minimize glare, which is attributed to the backlight, not just external light sources.