Kobo Nia vs PocketBook Touch

Last updated: July 20, 2023
Kobo Nia and PocketBook Touch are two budget-friendly e-book readers known for their portability and ease of use, but they have some key differences that cater to different reader preferences.

1. Display Technology and Resolution: One of the main differences between Kobo Nia and PocketBook Touch lies in their display technology and resolution. Kobo Nia features a 6-inch E Ink Carta display, providing a clear and sharp reading experience with excellent contrast. It offers a resolution of 1024 x 758 pixels, which is standard for most e-book readers in this price range. On the other hand, PocketBook Touch comes with a 6-inch E Ink Pearl display, which also offers a good reading experience but has a slightly lower resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. While both devices use E Ink technology for a paper-like reading experience, Kobo Nia's higher resolution display may provide slightly crisper text and graphics.

2. Ecosystem and Content: Another significant difference is in their ecosystems and content offerings. Kobo Nia is part of the Kobo ecosystem, which provides access to a wide selection of e-books, audiobooks, and magazines through the Kobo store. Kobo users can also benefit from services like Kobo Plus, which offers unlimited access to a library of e-books for a monthly fee. On the other hand, PocketBook Touch is not tied to a specific ecosystem and allows users to access various e-book sources and install third-party apps, providing more versatility and freedom to source e-books from different stores and platforms.

3. Front Lighting and Design: Both Kobo Nia and PocketBook Touch come with built-in front lighting, allowing users to read in various lighting conditions. However, the specific front lighting technology and design may differ. Kobo Nia typically features Kobo's ComfortLight, which offers an adjustable front light that provides a comfortable reading experience in various lighting environments. PocketBook Touch also provides front lighting, but the specific technology and adjustability may vary based on the model. The design of the devices also differs, with Kobo Nia having a modern and minimalist design, and PocketBook Touch sporting a more traditional appearance with physical page-turn buttons.
15
Kobo Nia
Kobo Nia is a 6-inch reader with a 1024x758 pixel, 212 ppi resolution touchscreen. It's equipped with Kobo's ComfortLight tech, which lets you adjust the display's brightness as you see fit. The Nia is pretty sleek at 172 grams, with 9.2mm of thickness around the edges. Inside, there's a 1,000mAh battery, which offers "weeks" of reading on a single charge + 8GB of storage.
12
PocketBook Touch
The PocketBook Touch model is a device for reading which combines all the best and most important characteristics of a modern reader. The PocketBook Touch display is based on E Ink e-paper technology. This revolutionary technology is defined by maximum visual similarity between the display of the E Ink device and a paper page: the display is inactive, only indirect light is used.The screen, 6" E Ink Pearl, 166 dpi, with a resolution of 800x600 pixels, supports 16 grey gradations which allows the display of complex texts and illustrations.
Kobo Nia vs PocketBook Touch in our news:

2020. Pocketbook Touch Lux 5 gets more storage and lighter case



The upcoming 5th generation of Pocketbook Touch Lux e-reader is set to be released at a price of $129.99, making it a highly affordable option. This device boasts a dual-core processor, excellent battery life, and wide format support. Notably, it offers ABBYY Lingvo dictionaries in 24 language combinations, including English-German and Webster's Dictionary 1913. The e-reader features a 6-inch E INK Carta HD capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024×758 and 212 PPI. It incorporates a front-lit display and a color temperature system. Under the hood, you'll find a dual-core 1 GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage, expandable with an SD card of up to 32GB. The device is equipped with micro USB and WIFI connectivity, and it is powered by a 1,500 mAh battery. With dimensions of 161.3 × 108 × 8 mm and weighing 150g, it offers a compact and lightweight design.


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.


2019. Pocketbook released Touch Lux 4 Limited Edition



Pocketbook has unveiled a special limited edition of the Touch Lux 4 e-reader for the holiday season. The device showcases an elegant gold finish on its front, sides, and back, adding a touch of sophistication. Along with the e-reader, this edition includes a complimentary gift box and a custom case. Priced at $149, the Pocketbook Touch Lux 4 boasts a six-inch E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024×758 and utilizes a capacitive touchscreen. While it features a new front-lit display with improved LED lights compared to previous models, it does not incorporate a color temperature system.


2013. Pocketbook announces Pocketbook Touch 2



After a year of restructuring on the business front, Pocketbook has resurfaced with an announcement of their latest device, the Pocketbook Touch 2. This new six-inch device boasts an HD e-Ink Pearl display, similar to the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Glo, with a resolution of 1024×758. The front-lit display ensures optimal reading in low-light conditions. With 256 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory, and SD card support for up to 32 GB, users have ample storage for their digital content. The battery life is expected to be impressive, lasting through approximately 7,000 page turns. Additionally, the Pocketbook Touch 2 features an audio jack, allowing users to enjoy audiobooks and music. While Pocketbook still holds significance in eastern Europe, it struggles to gain visibility in the North American market.