Color e-readers just got a better screen on paper, but you cannot buy it in the US yet.
On October 15, 2026, E Ink announced Kaleido 4, the next version of its color e-paper display. The first device to use it is the Hanvon M10C II, a note-taking tablet sold in China. Reports point to a December start there, with e-readers from other brands expected in early 2027. No price has been announced.
Here is what changed, how it compares with Kaleido 3, and what to do if you are shopping now.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 | E Ink announces Kaleido 4 |
| December 2026 | Hanvon M10C II reported for China |
| Early 2027 | First e-readers from other brands expected (reports, not confirmed) |
Kaleido 4 vs Kaleido 3
E Ink compares Kaleido 4 only with the previous generation. These are E Ink's own claims. No independent tests exist yet.
| Kaleido 4 | Kaleido 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Color gamut volume | Doubled, to more than 40K | Baseline |
| Contrast | 50% higher | Baseline |
| White reflectance (brightness of whites) | 15% higher | Baseline |
| Video | Up to 18 frames per second | Much slower |
| Backplane | New oxide TFT, faster refresh | Older |
| Devices you can buy in the US today | None | Many |
Two details to know. First, outlets describe the gain differently. E Ink says the color gamut volume doubles to more than 40K. One outlet wrote this as "over 40,000 colors," while another reports the panel is still limited to 4,096 colors. We trust E Ink's wording: a wider range of color, not a bigger palette. Second, E Ink's release does not give a pixel density, so we are not quoting one.
What is new, in plain words
- Better contrast. Text and images should look less washed out. This matters because older Kaleido screens can look a little fuzzy.
- Brighter whites. Pages should look closer to paper.
- Faster refresh. The new backplane helps pages turn and scroll faster. Hanvon says its device turns pages 27% faster, but that figure depends on Hanvon's own hardware.
- Less graininess. E Ink says the new design reduces how grainy the screen looks. We have not tested this.
- Video at 18 fps. Fine for slow clips, nothing like a phone screen.
Amazon used a similar oxide backplane in the first Kindle Colorsoft, so the idea is not new. What is new is the larger jump in contrast and gamut.
Why this matters for e-reader buyers
E Ink supplies the screens for many of the best-known e-readers, including Amazon, Kobo and Boox, according to Engadget. When E Ink ships a new display, those brands usually adopt it in later models. That is why 2027 is the year to watch. A new screen also has to be built into a device, tested and priced, so the first Kaleido 4 readers outside China will probably cost more than today's Kaleido 3 models.
Where each screen wins
- Kaleido 4 wins on paper for color pages, charts and comics, once devices exist.
- Kaleido 3 wins today because you can buy it. Kobo's color readers use it.
- Kindle Colorsoft is Amazon's color option. Amazon has not said it will use Kaleido 4. See our Kindle vs Paperwhite vs Colorsoft guide for the new lineup and prices.
Keep in mind that every claim above comes from E Ink and its partners. Real-world tests of text sharpness and color accuracy will matter more than the spec sheet.
The Amazon buttons link to current Kobo models. They use Kaleido 3, not Kaleido 4.
Which should you buy?
- You want color now: the Kobo Libra Colour (7-inch, our pick) is a solid choice. The smaller Kobo Clara Colour costs less. Both are current models with Kaleido 3.
- You mostly read novels: skip color. A black-and-white e-reader has sharper text, and color adds cost.
- You read comics, manga or PDFs in color and can wait: hold off until spring 2027. Early reviews of Kaleido 4 devices will show if the claims hold up.
- Wait if you were about to buy a color e-reader at full price. First Kaleido 4 models may be pricey, but older models often get cheaper when new ones arrive.
Check Kobo Libra Colour price on Amazon
Hunting for a good price? See our deals hub.
Other tech news this week
- Amazon's redesigned Kindle lineup: the new Paperwhite starts at $199.99 and the Colorsoft at $289.99, with both shipping October 28 according to launch coverage.
- Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2: the $519.99 console launches October 29 and sold out within hours of pre-orders, according to reports.
- Hanvon M10C II: the first Kaleido 4 device is a note-taking tablet with a pen that has 8,192 pressure levels, and it is sold in China only for now.
Sources
- E Ink: E Ink Launches Latest Version of Color ePaper Platform, E Ink Kaleido 4
- Engadget: E Ink's new Kaleido 4 could inch us closer to the perfect color e-reader
- Notebookcheck: E Ink launches Kaleido 4 colour e-paper with video playback at up to 18fps
- Notebookcheck: Nintendo says more Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 stock is incoming
Product image: E Ink.
