Why Android EBooks Are Better Than Colorsoft’s Kindle (Especially If You Read Comics)
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft is the company’s first color e-reader, and despite its great hardware, it’s still a Kindle. Depending on how involved you are in the Amazon ecosystem, that may not matter to you, but as a comic book reader , it’s a major issue for me. Fortunately, Amazon isn’t the only player in the color e-reader market.
Even if competitors don’t always have the quality of Amazon’s hardware, they do have one advantage: Android. Amazon is a firm believer in its proprietary software, but smaller companies are more willing to work with more open ecosystems, opening up a whole new world of content for these devices. When it comes to color, that’s especially important.
This is why the Colorsoft Kindle can’t compare to Android e-readers, no matter how good its screen is, or to the Android devices I recommend.
What Kindle Colorsoft Does Right
Let me start with a few compliments. Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft has by far the best color e-ink screen I’ve ever used. It’s bright, has minimal pixelation and artifacts, has a fast refresh rate, the touchscreen is reasonably responsive, and while the rainbow effect that can ruin black-and-white content is still present, I noticed it less than on competitors like the Kobo Libra Color (not on Android, sadly).
Technically, it still uses the same E Ink Kaleido 3 screen as virtually all color e-readers, but Amazon clearly put some extra effort into modifying it, and the company said so outright when it announced it. While I initially chalked it up to bragging rights and buzzwords, I will admit that the images look more realistic, and the shadows and contrasts look more true to life, just like on a real page.
If all you want to do is read the Amazon library on the Colorsoft Kindle and occasionally admire the colorful highlights or book covers, it’s a great choice. But there’s so much more to a color e-reader, and because of the rainbow effect, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it unless you plan to really take advantage of it. This is where the Colorsoft really hits its limits.
Why You Might Need an Android-Based E-Reader
Kindle Colorsoft is limited by Amazon’s own operating system, meaning it can only read content from the Amazon store or manually downloaded content. Considering how much color content opens on your system, that’s not enough for me.
Amazon File Format Restrictions
The Colorsoft Kindle has the same limitations as any other Kindle, which means there’s no built-in support for the popular EPUB format. This free, open-source ebook file type is widely used by authors and libraries alike, and yet to get EPUB files onto your device, you’ll have to use the clunky “Send to Kindle” tool via another device or try your luck with a third-party alternative. Unfortunately, in the process, you may find that your formatting isn’t the same as before, and even if you have no trouble moving files to your Kindle, you may not have the same luck transferring Kindle books to other devices . In short, it’s best to avoid Kindle compatibility if possible, and Colorsoft’s Kindle doesn’t change that.
Kindle Colorsoft does not have comic apps.
But the real problem for me is the lack of apps. As an adult who reads a lot of picture books, I’m more likely to read comics on a color e-reader. And the Kindle software isn’t designed for that yet.
For about $10 a month, Marvel and DC have apps you can subscribe to that will give you access to almost all of their titles, with the exception of some newer comics that are available to higher-tier subscribers. As much as I love buying comics outright, it’s an opportunity I can’t pass up, especially since buying an individual issue, whether physical or digital, typically costs around $5.
However, none of these apps are available in Colorsoft. Instead, you have to rely on Kindle’s own store, and while some comics are available through Prime or Kindle Unlimited, the selection is far less diverse and unlikely to allow you to read most series from start to finish. You can buy issues individually or just stick to the independent comics that aren’t available in the Marvel or DC apps anyway, but that’s a pretty limited option that quickly gets expensive.
Android e-readers don’t have this problem. If the lack of access to comics apps from the top two companies is a direct downside to Colorsoft for me, then it’s a reason to choose Android over the hardware shortcomings. You can download any comics app from Google Play, including other options like Shonen Jump, and you’ll be able to access, browse, and read your library just like you would on any other tablet.
Better web browsing
Having access to the Play Store means you don’t have to stop there. You can also download Chrome (or any other browser you like ), for example. While the Kindle does have a basic web browser, the device’s small storage and inability to use tabs or sync with other devices make it hard to recommend. Again, there are no such limitations with an Android e-reader. If you’re not a big comic book fan, this will be a huge plus for you, as you’ll be able to see your favorite sites in full color (which can help with formatting and images), but it’s also much easier on the eyes than on a more traditional screen.
Games and other creative uses
You can even get cheeky with downloading apps. While e-readers have a slow refresh rate, an Android reader can technically stream video or even play games, albeit at a low frame rate if you’re looking for low-quality entertainment. Retro gaming YouTuber Wolf Denn made an entire video about how he turned his pocket-sized Boox Palma into a pretty convincing Game Boy clone. And while it’s a novelty, an Android reader could be a viable and easier on the eyes way to play games that don’t require fast reactions, like Pokémon .
Having Android on your e-reader allows you to use it in a much more creative way. And while that doesn’t matter much if all you can display is black and white, a color screen that only the Amazon store can open is like buying a Ferrari and only driving it to church on weekends. From reading comics to turning your e-reader into a smart home , there’s so much more you can do.
Which Android e-reader is worth buying?
There are a few color e-readers on Android that are worthy alternatives to the Kindle Colorsoft, many of which my colleague Joel Cunningham has personally reviewed. Not all of them have screens as good as the Kindle Colorsoft, but some come close. And even if they don’t, here’s a secret: a good color e-ink screen is still generally mediocre. A color e-ink screen only displays 4,096 colors, and you’ll never get rid of its dull, muted look no matter which device you choose. So if you’re already making compromises, it might be worth getting a slightly less accurate display to get a much more open operating system.
With that in mind, here are some of the best color e-readers for Android that I would recommend over the Kindle Colorsoft. Note that I provide links to both Amazon and the manufacturer’s sites so you can compare prices and usability.
This Android e-reader is currently priced at $280, the same as the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (my favorite model). For that price, you get a similar seven-inch screen, and for $50, you get a stylus. Unlike the Colorsoft, it has a comfortable grip on the left side and physical page-turning buttons. It’s about as close to a Kindle experience as you can get. The original model is also discounted to $220 if you can find it, though it has a weaker processor and is currently sold out on the official Boox website .
The Boox Note Air 4C is more expensive than the Kindle Colorsoft, and is available for $510 on the Boox website , but it’s worth it if you want a bigger screen. With a 10.3-inch display, it’s much more spacious than the Kindle, and much closer to a comic book page or an actual piece of paper. It’s more designed for work, and comes with a stylus and magnetic case out of the box, but the comfortable grip and large screen make it a great choice for those who don’t mind the price.
The budget option, the Bigme B751C, has a seven-inch screen and costs $240 on Bigme , which is a bit cheaper than the base Colorsoft Kindle. According to my colleague Joel Cunningham’s review , for that discount you’ll have to deal with ghosting issues, weak backlighting, and a lot of bloatware. On the plus side, you still get Android. Plus, you get dedicated buttons for turning pages, and the ability to increase the refresh rate for each app could make interactive apps a little more varied.