 |
Kobo Aura vs Kobo Mini
Last updated: July 10, 2023
Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini are two eReader models from the Kobo brand, offering different features and functionalities to suit varying reading preferences.
One key difference between Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini lies in their display size and resolution. Kobo Aura features a 6-inch E Ink Carta display, providing a comfortable reading experience with crisp text and clear visuals. The larger screen size allows for more content to be displayed on each page, reducing the need for frequent page turns. On the other hand, Kobo Mini has a more compact 5-inch E Ink display, making it highly portable and convenient for on-the-go reading. While the smaller screen may require more frequent page turns and display slightly less content, the compact size of the Kobo Mini offers excellent portability for readers who prioritize convenience.
Another significant difference lies in their storage capacity. Kobo Aura typically comes with 4GB of internal storage, providing ample space for storing a large number of eBooks. This storage capacity allows readers to carry a substantial library with them, ensuring they have access to a wide range of books. Kobo Mini, on the other hand, has a smaller storage capacity, typically offering 2GB of internal storage. While this is still sufficient for storing hundreds of eBooks, it offers less space compared to the Kobo Aura. If having a larger eBook library readily accessible is a priority, the Kobo Aura may be the preferable choice.
Additionally, the design and form factor differ between Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini. Kobo Aura has a sleek and modern design with a thin and lightweight profile, making it comfortable to hold and carry around. It also features a textured back for better grip and a premium feel. Kobo Mini, on the other hand, is even more compact and lightweight, designed to fit comfortably in one hand or pocket. The smaller size of the Kobo Mini makes it highly portable and ideal for readers on the move.
One key difference between Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini lies in their display size and resolution. Kobo Aura features a 6-inch E Ink Carta display, providing a comfortable reading experience with crisp text and clear visuals. The larger screen size allows for more content to be displayed on each page, reducing the need for frequent page turns. On the other hand, Kobo Mini has a more compact 5-inch E Ink display, making it highly portable and convenient for on-the-go reading. While the smaller screen may require more frequent page turns and display slightly less content, the compact size of the Kobo Mini offers excellent portability for readers who prioritize convenience.
Another significant difference lies in their storage capacity. Kobo Aura typically comes with 4GB of internal storage, providing ample space for storing a large number of eBooks. This storage capacity allows readers to carry a substantial library with them, ensuring they have access to a wide range of books. Kobo Mini, on the other hand, has a smaller storage capacity, typically offering 2GB of internal storage. While this is still sufficient for storing hundreds of eBooks, it offers less space compared to the Kobo Aura. If having a larger eBook library readily accessible is a priority, the Kobo Aura may be the preferable choice.
Additionally, the design and form factor differ between Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini. Kobo Aura has a sleek and modern design with a thin and lightweight profile, making it comfortable to hold and carry around. It also features a textured back for better grip and a premium feel. Kobo Mini, on the other hand, is even more compact and lightweight, designed to fit comfortably in one hand or pocket. The smaller size of the Kobo Mini makes it highly portable and ideal for readers on the move.
17
Kobo Aura's beautiful 6" ClarityScreen and a high res, edge-to-edge low-glare Pearl E Ink screen provides a print on paper reading experience, even in direct sunlight. The latest E Ink screen technology allows you to transition between pages without those annoying flashes. With pinch to zoom, you'll catch every detail when zooming in to PDFs and select books. Or change font sizes with a simple pinch.
5
Kobo Mini is the world’s smallest and lightest full-featured eReader, so it’s great for reading on the go. Complete with a no-glare natural E Ink touchscreen and built-in Wi Fi, it’s the full Kobo experience at a great value. Access to 1 million free eBooks doesn’t hurt either
Kobo Aura vs Kobo Mini in our news:
2022. Kobo is now displaying advertisements on their e-readers
Kobo has introduced a new feature on their e-readers where advertisements are displayed upon waking the device from sleep mode. Users now encounter a full-page advertisement encouraging them to subscribe to Kobo Plus, and it also highlights the availability of a free 30-day trial. Notably, this ad appears regardless of whether the device's Wi-Fi is turned on or off, as the image is sourced from the device itself rather than the internet. This marks the first instance of Kobo displaying ads on their ebook readers, contradicting their previous marketing campaigns that emphasized their devices being ad-free compared to Kindle.
2021. Kobo e-readers get new My Words feature
Kobo has recently introduced firmware update 4.26 for their range of Kobo ereaders, bringing several notable enhancements. One of the key additions is the My Words option, accessible through the Beta Features list, which functions similarly to the vocabulary builder feature found in Kindle devices. This feature enables users to conveniently review and revisit words they have looked up in the dictionary. Additionally, the update includes a "Back to page x" button specifically designed for epubs, enhancing navigation within books. Furthermore, annotation sync has been improved, allowing for better synchronization of annotations across devices. Users can now edit text within the note preview window by tapping the text field, and landscape mode PDF viewing has been enhanced for a more seamless experience.
2020. Kobo introduces $99 e-reader Nia to replace Aura
Rakuten has introduced a new, entry-level e-book reader that stands up favorably to the most affordable Amazon Kindle in various significant aspects. The Kobo Nia features a 6-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024x758 pixels and 212 ppi. It incorporates Kobo's ComfortLight technology, allowing users to adjust the display's brightness according to their preference. With a sleek design weighing in at 172 grams and measuring 9.2mm in thickness, the Nia offers a visually appealing form factor. Inside, it is powered by a 1,000mAh battery, providing "weeks" of reading on a single charge, and offers 8GB of storage capacity. In comparison, Amazon's cheapest Kindle, which inevitably draws comparisons to the Nia, starts at $89.99 but includes Amazon's "Special Offers" ads. Without the ads, the price increases to $109.99. The Kindle also features a 6-inch display but with a lower resolution of 165 ppi and only half the storage capacity of the Nia. These factors make the Nia an enticing choice for budget-conscious e-reader shoppers who prefer not to be locked into Amazon's ecosystem.
2018. Kobo e-Ink readers get rapid Page-Turning
Kobo has recently launched a firmware update for their entire range of e-readers, aiming to enhance the speed of page-turning through the implementation of a new rendering engine. With this new system, users can experience faster page transitions by simply tapping their finger rapidly on the screen or using gestures. Holding a finger down on the screen also enables page-turning. However, it's important to note that during rapid page-turning, the text may become unreadable until the user releases their finger from the screen, allowing for full rendering. This rapid page-turning engine specifically works with KEPUB ebooks, which are books purchased directly from Kobo. It does not support CBR/CBZ or classic EPUB formats, and it is incompatible with sideloaded EPUB books.
2017. Kobo makes managing ebooks simpler
Kobo has recently released a firmware update for its e-readers, introducing several noteworthy features. One of the key additions is the "Manage Books" feature, accessible under the "My Books" section. This new feature allows users to select multiple books simultaneously, enabling actions such as marking them as finished or unread, removing them, or adding them to collections. The "My Books" section itself has undergone a visual enhancement, offering a cleaner layout of information, along with the inclusion of convenient Filter and Sort menus. The reading experience has also been enhanced with this update. Now, by tapping the middle of the page, users can easily access reading menus, navigate to the Table of Contents, or adjust Reading Settings. Additionally, the screen will now refresh after each chapter, as opposed to every six pages, providing a smoother reading experience.
2016. New 7.8-inch Aura One e-reader - the Cadillac of e-readers
In an effort to challenge Amazon's dominance, Kobo has unveiled the Aura One, targeting a niche market. With its impressive 7.8-inch display, the Aura One surpasses the Aura HD and carries a matching price tag of $230. Despite being relatively expensive for a dedicated e-reader, especially considering the Kindle Voyage's lower starting price, Kobo's past successes in pushing boundaries indicate potential for the Aura One. While acknowledging that this device may not appeal to everyone, it caters precisely to those willing to invest over $200 for the ultimate e-reader experience. Kobo once again showcases its innovative mindset, offering features such as a spacious screen, blue-light shifting, an attractive design, and ample storage. Although the Aura One may not be cost-effective for most readers, it is sure to captivate a devoted audience seeking an exceptional reading device.
2015. Kobo Mini e-Reader available again for a limited time
Kobo is reintroducing its compact 5-inch Kobo Mini e-reader at a price of $49, but this offer is only available until November 7. Unlike the original model released in 2012, which utilized the outdated e-ink Vizplex technology, this new version of the Mini incorporates e-Ink Pearl. With a resolution of 800x600 pixels and support for 16 levels of grayscale, this petite device easily fits into any pocket and is designed to be exceptionally lightweight and portable. While the screen size may appear small compared to larger tablets or e-readers, it proves ideal for those seeking extreme portability, making it a great gift option or backup device. The e-reader is equipped with built-in wireless internet access, enabling direct downloading of e-books from the Kobo bookstore.
2014. Kobo unveiled waterproof Aura H2O Reader
Kobo has unveiled the Kobo Aura H2O, a new waterproof device priced at $179, set to be released on October 1. This addition to Kobo's product lineup targets the premium segment of the market, offering a purpose-built e-reader tailored for avid readers. The Kobo Aura H2O serves as a versatile, all-terrain e-reader, catering to users who desire to bring their devices to unconventional locations such as the bathtub or the beach. With a sleeker and lighter design compared to the Kobo Aura HD, the Kobo Aura H2O features an upgraded high-definition display and a dustproof, air-tight construction that can withstand submersion in water for up to thirty minutes.
2012. Kobo unveiles $80 Kobo Mini ereader
The new Kobo Mini, marketed under the slogan "Small is a Big Deal," is designed to cater to those seeking a compact device. It features an E Ink screen for optimal readability even in direct sunlight and comes equipped with 2 GB of internal storage (although some units may have shipped with 4 GB cards internally, which users can modify at their own risk to access the unpartitioned space, voiding any warranty). Notably, the device stands out with its SnapBacks, removable back covers available in Teal, Ruby Red, and Purple, showcasing the distinctive Kobo quilt pattern. The Kobo Mini is offered in black and white variants, and Kobo claims that its battery can last up to a month with 30 minutes of daily reading and Wi-Fi turned off. Charging the device and transferring documents can be done through the micro-USB connecting port. Positioned as a competitor to the basic Kindle and Nook Simple Touch, it boasts a similar price, screen resolution, and storage capacity, while offering the advantages of smaller dimensions and lighter weight.