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Kobo Forma vs Kobo Sage
Last updated: July 20, 2023
Kobo Forma and Kobo Sage are both premium e-book readers offered by Kobo, known for their advanced features and high-quality reading experiences. While they share some similarities, they have distinct differences that cater to different reader preferences.
1. Design and Display: One of the primary differences between Kobo Forma and Kobo Sage lies in their design and display features. Kobo Forma features a larger 8-inch E Ink Carta HD touchscreen display, providing a more spacious reading area with excellent contrast and a resolution of 1440 x 1920 pixels. Its asymmetrical design with physical page-turn buttons on one side offers a comfortable grip for one-handed reading and allows users to hold it in either portrait or landscape mode. On the other hand, Kobo Sage comes with a 6-inch E Ink Carta HD display with a resolution of 1024 x 758 pixels, which is still a standard size for most e-book readers. The Sage's compact and lightweight design makes it a more portable option for on-the-go reading.
2. Front Lighting and Comfort: Both Kobo Forma and Kobo Sage come with built-in front lighting, allowing users to read in various lighting conditions. However, the specific front lighting technology and adjustability may differ. Kobo Forma typically features Kobo's ComfortLight Pro, which offers an adaptive front light that automatically adjusts based on ambient lighting conditions for a more comfortable reading experience. Kobo Sage also provides front lighting, but the distribution and adjustability of the lighting might vary based on the model, and it may not offer the same level of adaptability as Kobo Forma.
3. Page-Turn Buttons: Another key difference is the presence of physical page-turn buttons on Kobo Forma, while Kobo Sage does not have this feature. The physical page-turn buttons on Kobo Forma allow users to easily navigate through their e-books without having to touch the screen, providing a more tactile and intuitive reading experience. This feature can be particularly beneficial for users who prefer physical buttons or those who have difficulty using touchscreen controls.
1. Design and Display: One of the primary differences between Kobo Forma and Kobo Sage lies in their design and display features. Kobo Forma features a larger 8-inch E Ink Carta HD touchscreen display, providing a more spacious reading area with excellent contrast and a resolution of 1440 x 1920 pixels. Its asymmetrical design with physical page-turn buttons on one side offers a comfortable grip for one-handed reading and allows users to hold it in either portrait or landscape mode. On the other hand, Kobo Sage comes with a 6-inch E Ink Carta HD display with a resolution of 1024 x 758 pixels, which is still a standard size for most e-book readers. The Sage's compact and lightweight design makes it a more portable option for on-the-go reading.
2. Front Lighting and Comfort: Both Kobo Forma and Kobo Sage come with built-in front lighting, allowing users to read in various lighting conditions. However, the specific front lighting technology and adjustability may differ. Kobo Forma typically features Kobo's ComfortLight Pro, which offers an adaptive front light that automatically adjusts based on ambient lighting conditions for a more comfortable reading experience. Kobo Sage also provides front lighting, but the distribution and adjustability of the lighting might vary based on the model, and it may not offer the same level of adaptability as Kobo Forma.
3. Page-Turn Buttons: Another key difference is the presence of physical page-turn buttons on Kobo Forma, while Kobo Sage does not have this feature. The physical page-turn buttons on Kobo Forma allow users to easily navigate through their e-books without having to touch the screen, providing a more tactile and intuitive reading experience. This feature can be particularly beneficial for users who prefer physical buttons or those who have difficulty using touchscreen controls.
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To make the reading experience better for ravenous booklovers who read for hours on end, and want a lightweight, portable alternative to heavy print books, we’ve delivered our most comfortable eReader yet with waterproof reliability, the choice of landscape or portrait mode, and the expanded access of book borrowing.
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Kobo Sage is the most accomplished eReader ever. Designed to inspire you with every read, Kobo Sage delivers every feature Kobo offers in one sleek package, plus Bluetooth so you can listen to Kobo Audiobooks. The luxurious 8" HD flush E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen delivers superior performance and depth of contrast, with zero glare.
Kobo Forma vs Kobo Sage in our news:
2023. Pocket updates support for Kobo e-readers
News and article reading service Pocket has announced that Kobo e-readers will no longer be supported. The reason is that in order to improve security all Pocket accounts are migrated to Firefox accounts. This news caused great indignation among Kobo users and the developers of Pocket decided to solve the problem anyway. Sarah Vasquez, the Senior Manager, Communication at Mozilla, told Good e-Reader in an exclusive statement, “Kobo is aiming to update the Pocket login on their e-readers to support Firefox accounts. The exact timing is to be determined. However, Pocket’s existing Kobo users will not be affected nor lose access to their accounts.
2022. New Kobo software update added a pinch-zooming gesture
Kobo has released a software update for their entire range of Kobo e-readers, including models dating back to the original Kobo Touch (excluding the Kobo Mini). The update introduces a pinch-zooming gesture to adjust font size and now includes a new gesture that allows users to quickly access the last three books they read by swiping down from the top of the screen. Additionally, two new font options specifically designed for digital reading, Rakuten Sans and Rakuten Serif, have been added. The interface now supports three additional languages: Czech, Polish, and Romanian. A new feature called "Recently Viewed" has also been introduced, which displays recently viewed ebooks in the Kobo store, although users have the option to disable this feature in the settings.
2021. Kobo released Sage and Libra 2 with Bluetooth and stylus support
Kobo has introduced two new e-readers, the Sage and Libra 2, which build upon the company's high-end offerings by incorporating Bluetooth audiobook and stylus support. These devices retain the recognizable asymmetrical design of their larger counterparts. Furthermore, the Sage and Libra 2 are equipped with a new charging cover, allowing users to recharge the device every few months instead of every few weeks. The Sage, an evolution of the Forma, boasts an impressive 8-inch, 300 PPI screen and a color-adjustable screen light, ensuring an exceptional reading experience. Similarly, the Libra 2 serves as the successor to the Libra H2O (sans the H2O branding, although it remains waterproof), featuring a 7-inch display with the same display and lighting characteristics. For those seeking a more compact option, the Clara model remains the ideal choice.
2018. Kobo Forma e-Reader gets first major update
Kobo has recently released a significant update for their Kobo Forma e-reader, addressing various persistent issues such as improving WIFI stability and enhancing manga performance. With this update, readers now have the ability to navigate through pages by pressing dedicated page-turn buttons, enabling them to move forward or backward with ease. Furthermore, by pressing and holding these buttons, users can rapidly flip through multiple pages. Kobo has also ensured that their e-reader is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed individuals. By simply holding the Kobo Forma in either hand, the screen will automatically adjust. Additionally, readers can now enjoy the flexibility of reading in landscape or portrait mode. While reading, users can rotate their device to any orientation they prefer. To lock the screen into portrait or landscape mode, readers can tap the middle of the page to access the menu and then select the rotation icon located in the header (all while maintaining the option to hold the device in either hand).
2018. Kobo Forma - e-Ink reader with IPX8 case
Kobo has unveiled their latest ebook reader, the Kobo Forma, which surpasses the Kindle Oasis in several aspects, making it their most innovative e-reader to date. With a design reminiscent of the Kindle Oasis, featuring page buttons on one side of the screen and a tapered back (without the wedge), the Kobo Forma offers the flexibility to read in both portrait and landscape mode, complete with the option for automatic screen rotation. Boasting a spacious 8-inch screen and waterproof capabilities, this digital eBook reader delivers an immersive reading experience. Moreover, it allows direct borrowing of ebooks from Overdrive, resulting in long-term cost savings. The inclusion of comfortlight technology enables users to dim the bright white screen for comfortable nighttime reading. The adjustable front-light is gentle on the eyes and gradually reduces blue-light exposure, promoting better sleep quality. With an IPX8 rating, the Forma is waterproof for up to 60 minutes, and it even comes pre-installed with the popular library app OneDrive, simplifying the process of connecting your library account to the e-reader.
2018. Kobo's latest e-reader is called the Forma
Kobo has introduced the Forma, their latest addition to the lineup of e-ink e-readers, showcasing a range of enhancements. The Forma is equipped with an 8-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) e-ink display, combining high resolution with an immersive reading experience. Its new ergonomic design stands out, featuring a handle on the side that not only provides a fresh aesthetic but also improves the device's grip. Along the right edge, convenient buttons simplify page-turning, offering a more tactile alternative to touchscreen interactions. Weighing just 197g, the Forma is approximately 15 percent lighter than the Kobo Aura One, without compromising durability. Kobo assures that the e-reader can withstand drops from two meters. Furthermore, with its IPX8 rating, the device is water-resistant and capable of enduring submersion in up to two meters of water for around 60 minutes. The Forma is available in an 8GB version starting at $299.99 CAD.