Smartphones have replaced a truly astonishing number of things in our daily lives, from cameras to calculators, alarm clocks to wallets. And given the current state of foldable devices, e-readers like Amazon’s perennially popular Kindle series could be next.
E-readers are great products in their own right, and can store an entire library’s worth of literature. Additionally, advancements in this category include higher resolution displays, backlighting with color tones that are easier on the eyes for late-night reading, longer battery life, faster charging, and even water resistance, making it safe for poolside play even in the humid heat. Now you can make progress. A new romance novel is unhindered when two noisy sunbathing children try to outdo each other in a game of “Cannonball.”
However, while such advances in e-readers seem revolutionary, smartphones are already several steps ahead on a technological level, even if they lack the same expertise, making Kindle and others superior. We are narrowing the gap in the defining characteristics. reading gadget.
I first noticed this when the original iPad was released. Being able to view full-color comics on a large but portable high-fidelity backlit LCD was a truly groundbreaking experience at the time, and even back then, I doubted my Kindle loyalty. It was an experience that made me feel. But most recently, the OnePlus Open was the device that showed me a viable future for e-reading beyond my trusty Kindle Oasis.
First, even Amazon’s best Kindles haven’t ventured into color visuals yet, so personally, being able to enjoy fully faithful cover art makes a huge difference in my excitement when starting a new book. . Sure, the Kaleido 3 E Ink displays on the newly launched Kobo Libra Color and Kobo Clara Color are impressive in that they can display 4,096 hues, but they don’t compare favorably with Open’s 1 billion-color AMOLED.
Of course, color visuals alone don’t make for a great viewing experience, but the OnePlus Open is much more than that screen-wise. It’s also surprisingly bright, making it one of the brightest foldable displays on the market today. This means that despite the display technology used, it’s one of the best screens for reading in bright environments. While Open may not have the perfect antidote to E Ink displays, other phone manufacturers are now pushing technology that could make smartphones as outdoor viewable as Kindles.
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In addition to the obvious set of spec improvements that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra received, one of the less appreciated upgrades is the reduction in display reflectance, which the company managed to reduce by an impressive 75%. Succeeded. Then there’s TCL’s NxtPaper technology. I saw this firsthand with the TCL 50 XL NxtPaper, and I think it will answer the prayers of those who want a device with E Ink-like readability and low reflectance while still offering traditional features. Advantages of a full-color backlit smartphone screen.
Open has an Eye Comfort mode that allows for warmer color temperatures and monochromatic viewing, and Xiaomi has improved the experience on the phone by including a texture slider in Paper reading mode that simulates more paper-like grain on the screen. We are taking it one step further. Although I haven’t scientifically tested it, personal opinion and anecdotes from other users online suggest that it improves readability even further.
Then there’s the form factor to consider. Foldable devices may be thicker than the Kindle, but they can fold into a much more compact (and pocketable) footprint while offering a similar-sized display. And while battery life is still measured in days rather than weeks, the smartphone also comes with a myriad of other features, including a 67W fast charger that allows for open charging in about 30 minutes. will complete, but it will take more than an hour to charge your Kindle. charging.
So, while there’s still work to be done in the quest to make foldable smartphones the single device to rule them all, here’s the chapter on packing your phone. and You might be close to finishing reading your Kindle before your next long-haul flight or weekend getaway.
