Kobo Aura One vs Kindle Paperwhite: Which One is Better? Specs, Features and Price Details
Kindle has come to be synonymous with eBook readers, in the same way we call bandages Band-Aids, or calling searching "Googling." The moment it becomes indistinguishable with what it does, that's when you know it's the best out there.
Not anymore; as Kobo Aura One, a Canadian top-of-the-line eBook reader, may just put Kindle out of its place. But how exactly does Kobo challenge Kindle? We've rounded up the list to see which e-reader is worth your buck.
Size and weight
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With a behemoth 7.8" inch screen, the new Kobo stands out among a line that's mostly standard 6". It also comes in at 8.1 ounces. On the other hand, the Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon's most popular Kindle, is at 6.7" and 8.2 ounces - just a tiny bit heavier. This means that with the Kobo Aura One, you're getting more screen without all the extra weight.
Screen display
Both e-readers are at 300 pixels per inch. The Kindle Paperwhite has a fairly gentle backlit display, which means less strain on your eyes. But, Kobo Aura One does it better with the ComfortLight PRO. It automatically adjusts light settings depending on your environment (basically a day and night mode). Right now, no other e-reader has this feature.
Hardware
Under the hood, there's not much difference between the two e-readers. Both run on a 1GHz processor and 512 MB RAM, a speedy experience for either one. However, Kobo has four times more internal memory with 8GB as opposed to Kindle's 2GB. Admittedly, eBooks take up so little space. You can still save thousands on a 2GB capacity, but 6GB more does mark a huge difference.
Rated IPX8, Kobo also outdone Kindle with its robust waterproof design. You can easily submerge the Kobo in 2m water for an hour without causing much damage. The Kindle has yet to offer such technology on any of its readers.
In terms of battery, however, Kindle outlasts Kobo by two weeks as the Paperwhite can last six weeks without needing a recharge.
Other features
Kobo also upped its features with its TypeGenius feature, which sports 11 built-in fonts and more than 50 font sizes, and adjustable line spacing and margins. You can also share your favorite passages to your Facebook timeline. It also supports metrics such as the time it takes for you to read a book or a chapter. It also sports a OneDrive integration which allows it to transfer books easily.
Kindle, on the other hand, allows you to scribble notes through Page Flip, and supports more languages than the Kobo. Both have dictionary and Wikipedia support.
Price
The Kobo Aura One is much more pricier than the Paperwhite pegged at around $230. So far, the Paperwhite is still the most affordable reader around with nearly half the Kobo's price and near-similar specifications.
Still, if the Kobo Aura One is as good as it is on paper, it may just give Kindle users a run for their money. Watch out for its release in the US on September 6.
