Kobo Clara Color VS Boox Palma 2 - Compact VS Colorful
Kobo Clara Color and Boox Palma 2 are two of the most popular ereaders, but they are very different in size and form factor. The Boox Palma 2 is an ereader with a form factor of smartphone. It's good for one handed use. Not just the dimensions, they have a lot more differences. In this guide, let's explore the Kobo Clara color and Boox Palma 2 and see which one is the better ereader.
Kobo Clara Color Vs Boox Palma 2
I have divided this comparison into different section for easy understanding -
Note - The Boox Palma 1 and 2 are almost the same, with only difference being a fingerprint sensor, android 13 and a slightly faster processor on the Palma 2 (which is not that of an upgrade) and the price is $245 for the Palma 1 vs $279 for the Palma 2.
Similarly, The only difference between the Kobo Clara BW and the Clara color is the color screen. Everything else is just the same. The prices are $129 vs $149.
Design
The Kobo Clara Color is a 6" ereader with a regular tablet like design, while the Boox Palma 2 is a phone sized e-ink reader that is portable and easy to carry, fits in your pocket like a phone. Other than that, the Kobo Clara is 9.2 mm thick and the Boox Palma 2 is 8mm thick, so the Boox Palma 2 is slimmer and portable compared to the Kobo Clara. Additionally, the Boox Palma 2 features a sleek design with narrower bezels. The bezels on Kobo Clara is more. Overall, the Boox Palma 2 has a nicer design and I definitely like it.
Specs Comparison
| Model | Kobo Clara Color | Boox Palma 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6" ✅ E-ink Kaleido 3 300 PPI - BW 150 PPI - Color | 6.13" E-ink Carta 1200 300PPI |
| Frontlight | Yes | Yes |
| Color Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| CPU | Dual core 2.0GHz | Octa Core 2.0GHz ✅ |
| RAM | 1GB | 6 GB ✅ |
| Storage | 16 GB | 128 GB ✅ |
| OS | Linux based | Android 13 |
| Battery | 1500mAh, better battery life ✅ | 3950mAh |
| Audio | No | Yes, built in speaker ✅ |
| USB | Type C | Type C |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD | No | Yes ✅ |
| Stylus | No | No |
| Waterproof | Yes,ipx8 ✅ | No |
| Dimension | 112 x 160 x 9.2 mm | 159 x 80 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 174g | 170g |
| Page Turn Buttons | No | Yes + fingerprint sensor on Power button ✅ |
| Price | $149 ✅ | $279 |
Display and reading
Kobo Clara has a 6" Kaleido 3 Color display and Boox Palma 2 has a slightly larger 6.13" Carta 1200 BW screen. Both devices has adjustable warm-cold lighting which is eye friendly. Screen wise, the Kaleido 3 is better in the Kobo Clara. It can produce sharper text on screen. Overall the reading experience is similar on both devices.
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| Image credit - Nananaji Glo. |
Since the Boox Palma 2 runs on Android 13 it has a relatively powerful processor and more RAM compared to the Kobo Clara. The Boox Palma will feel faster to use, the page turns are also faster on the Palma. But the aspect ratio of the Palma 2 is similar to that of a smartphone, like reading a newspaper coulmn. The design is a personal preference on your part. If you want an eReader that fits in your pocket comfortably, the Boox Palma 2 is the better choice.
Software and Apps
Kobo Clara BW runs on their own custom OS based on Linux, and the Boox Palma 2 runs on Android. The Boox's software feels a bit faster and as an Android reader, it supports Android apps. You can install all kinds of Reading apps such as Kindle, Kobo, VizComics, ShonenJump and more. It also has a 16 MP camera, a microphone and speaker. You can play audio and listen to audiobooks whereas on the Kobo Clara you have to use a wireless headphone via Bluetooth to listen to audiobooks.
On the Palma 2 you can use the volume + and - as page turn buttons. Also you get an additional functional button which can be customized for many functions. The Palma 2 has a fingerprint sensor on the side, which was missing in the Palma 1, if you frequently unlock your device, it can be useful for you compared to typing a pin each time.
On the Kobo You have your Kobo Library, you can use OverDrive to sync and access ebooks and files.
CPU and Storage
The Boox palma 2 runs on Android, it needs a powerful CPU to run apps, That's why it has an Octa core CPU with a BSR GPU, combined with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage which is expandable via microSD card. On the other hand, the Kobo Clara has a 2.0 GHz dual core, equipped with 1GB of RAM and 16GB storage. The Linux OS on Kobo is lightweight and minimal, which is perfect if you want an immersive reading experience. When it comes to storage, the Boox Palma 2 has a lot more storage than the Kobo Clara Color. So, it's clear that if you want tons of eBook file on your device the Boox Palma 2 is the one.
Battery Life
On paper, the Boox Palma 2 has a bigger battery than the Kobo Clara Color. 3950 mAh vs 1500 mAh. If you use the Boox Palma 2 for 7-8 hours daily, it lasts around 2-3 days. On the Kobo Clara Color if you read 7-8 hours daily, then it lasts for about 4-5 days. So, battery life is better on the Kobo Clara despite having a smaller battery.
Waterproof
The Kobo Clara Color is IPX8 certified, making it waterproof, if you accidentally drop it in water, it will be safe as long as you pull it out immediately. However the Boox Palma 2 is not waterproof, but it's splash proof. It can handle minor spills without damage.
Bottom Line
To be precise, the Kobo Clara Color has a next gen screen, which technically makes it better, but you may not notice any significant difference except the colors on the Clara. If portability and Android OS (that means a lot of app options) are important to you, the Boox Palma 2 is an excellent choice. The Boox Palma costs $279 which is almost double of the Kobo Clara Color. You can also checkout the Palma 1 which is $245.
On the other hand, If you want an affordable option with a color e-ink screen for reading comics and graphic novels, the kobo Clara Color would be a better option for $149. For me, If I only want a good ereader for reading and portability is not my priority, I would prefer the Kobo Clara Color.
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