I'm a long time Kindle reader, ever since I got the original Kindle Paperwhite (1st Gen) as a present. It has been my only eReader for the past ~13 years. But it has recently become unsupported by Amazon. That means I can no longer download books onto it nor sync my progress. I thought I would be able to side load it, but turns out that only works for DRM free books. Amazon have not given a means of side loading the books in my collection. Meaning I can't load books from Amazon onto it, that are not already present.
That's a slap in the face. So I want to jump ship and switch to Kobo. Especially as they seem less locked in. The device that has caught my attention is the Kobo Clara Colour. The BW model seems superior in some ways, but it feels like a bigger upgrade to get colour. I think I'll also be using the device in dark mode, where I believe there's less of a quality impact.
However, while looking at the device on
https://ereader.kobo.com/en-ie/products/kobo-clara-colour
I noticed the following
Battery
Black: 1500 mAh, weeks of battery*
White: 1900 mAh, weeks of battery*
*A single charge on the eReader lasts up to 42 days, based on 30 minutes of reading per day with the front light at 30% brightness and WiFi and Bluetooth® wireless technology off.
That has caught me off guard. The Black coloured case (which is my preference) has a smaller battery capacity than the White. That's an unusual difference. Checking with AI, it seems the first release in 2024 (model number N367) came with the smaller battery and only the black case. But in 2025 they refreshed the release (model number N367B) with an option to get a white case and an increase in the battery size.
Throwing AI at this, it suggests that some of the new Black models are actually N367B and come with the larger battery. Chatting with Kobo support they suggest only the white model has the larger battery.
I like a larger battery as it means more time in between charges. That's one of the foundational benefits I see with an eReader. But I think the black case will hold up for longer and matches my preferences.
Has anyone bought a Black Clara Colour and found it to be a N367B with the larger battery? Or is it truly the unusual decision where only the white case has the better battery?
6 Comments
Mattster_Of_Puppets@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 16d
I have a black model - I could check, but I don’t know how 🫤
If you can share how to check (without opening it up 😉) I’ll take a look and let you know
sregger@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 16d
@Mattster_Of_Puppets, from AI, on the device itself
Or in the software settings
Mattster_Of_Puppets@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 16d
Ahh - my apologies - I have a LIBRA colour, not a Clara colour.
Only realised when I checked the settings and I have an N4284 model - which confused me as it was neither of the models you expected.
Sorry
sregger@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 16d
No problem. Thanks for checking anyway.
non_burglar@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 16d
You already solved your issue: The first Clara colour had an underwhelming battery life. The next iteration had a higher capacity battery (and an updated BT/WiFi soc, IIRC). They were different colors, hence the difference.
Side note, I use a Kobo wifi from 2013, I've only just replaced the battery, but standby time is amazing. Also, I have Calibre Web Automated set up and running with the Kobo sync extension, and it is awesome to just add books to a "sync" library and they appear on my reader.
sregger@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 16d
That's true, it makes sense just to go for the White device. But I do prefer the Black. I was hoping I could get both my preferences.
I also think the current approach is a little sly. In no way would I have anticipated this scenario before I came across the specs. i.e. I could easily have ordered the black without realising the difference. I think that's not particularly customer friendly.