Kobo Libra Colour
Score: 81/100
Boox Note Air 5
Score: 78/100Rankings
The Kobo Libra Colour is a 7-inch waterproof colour e-reader with a Kaleido 3 display, 32 GB storage and support for a magnetic stylus. Its colour and stylus capabilities consume more power and the lack of expandable storage may limit long-term library growth. Best for comic and manga fans or note-takers who want a portable colour device with a larger screen.
The BOOX Note Air 5C is a 10.3-inch color e-ink tablet powered by Android 13, offering a vibrant Kaleido 3 display and strong performance thanks to an octa-core processor and 6 GB RAM. Its lower color resolution, modest speaker quality, and relatively high price are trade-offs for the feature set. Ideal for professionals who need color annotation and Android app flexibility.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
7 inches | 10.3 inchesbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 199.5 gbest | 420 g |
32 GB | 64 GBbest | |
150 ppi | 300 ppibest | |
— | 6 GBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 8.3 mm | 5.8 mmbest |
16 formats | 26 formatsbest | |
2,050 mAh | 3,700 mAhbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Processor | Dual-core 2 GHz | Octa-core 1.8 GHz |
Display(3) | ||
Screen Size (inches) | 7 inches | 10.3 inches |
Resolution (pixels) | 1264x1680 pixels | 2480x1860 pixels |
Pixel Density (ppi) | 150 ppi | 300 ppi |
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Battery Capacity (mAh) | 2050 mAh | 3700 mAh |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11 ac/b/g/n | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 199.5 g | 420 g |
Thickness (mm) | 8.3 mm | 5.8 mm |
Software(2) | ||
Supported File Formats (formats) | 16 formats | 26 formats |
Operating System | Linux-based | Android 13 |
Storage(1) | ||
Internal Storage (GB) | 32 GB | 64 GB |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers applaud the Libra Colour for its lighter chassis, upgraded 2 GHz CPU and the vibrant Kaleido 3 screen that makes comics and PDFs come alive. They also caution that the color features and optional stylus increase power consumption and that the fixed 32 GB storage cannot be expanded.
Everyday users love the portable 7-inch form factor, the ample 32 GB library capacity and the vivid colors for manga and cover art, while repeatedly noting the strong battery life after prolonged use. Common complaints revolve around the separate stylus purchase, lack of expandable storage and occasional lag when handling high-resolution images.
Professional reviewers commend the Note Air 4C for its vibrant Kaleido 3 color e-ink panel, robust octa-core processor, and full Android 13 ecosystem, noting that it delivers solid performance for document-heavy workflows. However, they point out that the lower color resolution and modest speaker quality prevent it from being a premium multimedia device, and the incremental upgrades over earlier models may not compel existing Boox owners to upgrade.
Everyday users love the tablet's lightweight feel, color display for comics and PDFs, and the precision stylus for note-taking, while repeatedly mentioning the trade-off of reduced color sharpness, average built-in audio, and the need to recharge more often during heavy use.
