Critique of Kobo Aura Edition 2: User Perspective
The Kobo Aura Edition 2 has hit the market and it's more akin to the Kobo Glo HD than a true successor to the Aura. This entry-level device is budget-friendly but its hardware falls a bit short compared to 2016 standards.
The Hardware
The original Kobo Aura featured significant improvements over the Kobo Glo, boasting a flat plastic panel and 'edge to edge' display. However, the Edition 2 sports a sunken screen and lacks the edge-to-edge display. It sports a six-inch E-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 and 212 PPI. This setup is basic compared to the Kindle Paperwhite, which offers a resolution of 1430 x 1080 and 300 PPI.
Kobo hasn't disclosed the processor or RAM but it's likely they're using a 1 GHz Freescale i.MX507 processor and either 128 MB or 512 MB of RAM. There's 4 GB of internal memory with no option for SD card expansion, except via cloning software and accessing a hidden SD card on the circuit board. This limited storage capacity might be a deal-breaker for most users.
The front-lit display on the Edition 2 is impressive, boasting brightness and whiter whites compared to other e-readers, such as the Barnes and Noble Nook Glowlight Plus. However, it still lags behind the Paperwhite 3, Voyage, Oasis, and Aura One.
Design and Software
The Edition 2 has the same clean design as the Aura One, featuring a textured rubber back, embedded Kobo logo, power button on the back, Micro USB connector on the bottom, and status indicator light on the front. The device offers wireless internet access, allowing you to shop for e-books and browse the web. Battery life is estimated at two months but you'll likely only get around a month with continuous usage.
The home screen is dynamic, displaying recently accessed books and providing reading statistics. The device syncs with your Kobo account, downloading past purchases and setting up any custom shelves. OverDrive functionality is not built-in but might be added in future firmware updates.
E-Reading Experience
The Edition 2 supports a range of formats, including EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, and more. It offers 11 font options and over 40 sizes. Advanced users can even download fonts such as Bookerly or Ember and sideload them. Kobo could benefit from creating its own optimized font for all digital readers, as resolution continues to improve on e-readers.
Reading time and rendering issues crop up when zooming into PDF files, taking between 12-21 seconds to fully render and another 10-12 seconds for the next paragraph. This can be a significant drawback, especially for larger PDF files.
In Conclusion
The Kobo Aura Edition 2 will go on sale starting September 6th and is available in select markets, including Canada, France, Netherlands, and the United States. If you're looking for an affordable e-reader, the Edition 2 might suit your needs, but it falls short compared to the Paperwhite 2015 in terms of front-light and resolution.
PROS
AffordableFront-lit display is greatWell-designed
CONS
PDF experience is woeful4 GB of storage is likely not enough for most peopleResolution is not up to 2016 standardsNo SD Card
- The Kobo Aura Edition 2 features an E-Ink Carta display, a six-inch screen, and reading statistics, which are basic compared to higher-end e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite.
- Despite having a clean design and offering wireless internet access, the Kobo Aura Edition 2's battery life is estimated at two months but may only last around a month with continuous usage.
- When reading PDF files on the Kobo Aura Edition 2, there might be rendering issues that take up to 21 seconds to fully render and another 12 seconds for the next paragraph, which can be a significant drawback, especially for larger files.
