Kobo has unveiled its latest e-reader, the Aura One, that’s set to take the fight to Amazon’s Kindle Oasis.
The device features a large 7.8-inch 300 ppi e-ink display that’s bigger than most other e-readers and is designed to reduce exposure to blue light, so it’s easier for users to fall asleep after reading for a while at night.
It’s housed in a waterproof case, which means it’s safe to use by the pool or in the bathtub. The Aura One can store up to 6,000 books in its 8GB onboard memory and last for a month on a single charge.
But can it win over people who’ve been eyeing Amazon’s recently introduced Kindle Oasis? At $230, the Aura One is $60 cheaper than its rival; it’s also a lot larger than the 6-inch Oasis. Amazon’s offering also comes with a leather cover that extends the device’s battery life to four months.
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You’ll also have to consider which bookstore you’re more comfortable with. Kobo has about 5 million titles available globally; Amazon has about 4.6 million books, newspapers and magazines in the US alone and also offers audiobooks as part of its Kindle Unlimited subscription plan.
If you’re keen on the Aura One, you can pre-order it on August 30 or find it in stores starting September 6.
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