The future of e-readers is bright due to the latest advancements in e-paper and hardware technology. E-readers have evolved from singular-purpose book-reading devices and have changed consumers’ reading habits. What new features, functionality, and changes can we expect for e-readers in 2025? Have we already glimpsed the future of reading?
The E-Reader Landscape in 2024
The Amazon Kindle is the most dominant and popular e-reader in the world. In 2024, the company revised its entire device lineup, releasing the 2024 Kindle 11th Generation, Kindle Paperwhite 12th Generation, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 12th Generation, Kindle Scribe 2024, and its first color e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft. Rakuten Kobo also embraced color e-paper at the beginning of the year with the advent of the Libra Colour and Clara Colour. They also released the Kobo Clara BW for those who want a traditional reading experience. All these devices that used color used E INK Kaleido 3, a couple of years old. However, Remarkable did something entirely different and used E INK Gallery 3, which can display more colors for a fluid writing experience.
Many other companies released various models aimed at a Western audience, too. Pocketbook had a handful of new devices, Bigme had many new Android tablets, Onyx Boox had a 13.3 e-note waiting in the wings, and new color e-readers had just come out. Interestingly, the new iReader Ocean 3C uses a variant of E INK Kaleido 3, not seen before, E INK Kaleido 3 Plus.
Most e-readers continue to use the traditional black and white e-paper displays. This makes reading easy on the eyes since no light shines in your eyes, and it is the closest you can get to reading paper. Color e-readers are popular but expensive, whereas black and white e-paper is far cheaper.
Some people do not hesitate to spend much money on a new e-reader. They keep them for many years, gaining tremendous value. However, people who buy e-readers do not upgrade to the latest and greatest every year; they skip multiple generations until something compelling emerges.
Technological Advancements Shaping the Future
Several unique products came out in 2024 and will shape the future of digital reading. The Sol Reading Glasses were released, and they were lightweight VR headsets specifically designed for reading. These glasses are impressive despite focusing on just a single experience. They help you focus your attention on what you’re reading. Plus, they’re comfortable, lightweight, and easy to wear for hours.
Minimal is shipping its E-ink phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, similar to the old Blackberry phones. The touch-enabled display boasts 300 PPI resolution and a high refresh rate, which allows for crisp, clear visuals and smooth scrolling. Whether reading an e-book, browsing the web, or checking your emails, the E-ink display delivers an immersive and comfortable viewing experience.
Speaking of phones, we are seeing several other ones hit the market. Bigme released the Hibreak black and white phone and the Hibreak Color with Kaleido 3. These phones have cameras, great hardware specs, and network bands that work in most countries. They are also very affordable. Mudita is currently crowdfunding the Kompact, A minimalist E Ink phone for more life, less screen time, and fewer distractions. Essential features with straightforward UI and privacy focus.
In 2025, we can expect more E-ink phones from Bigme and maybe Onyx Boox. However, we might no longer see AR/VR E-ink glasses or reading goggles.
Let’s talk about artificial intelligence on e-readers. We have not seen the same advancements in this space as in others. Bigme was the first company to release ChatGPT support for all their new devices released in 2024. Onyx Boox has its chatbot; it just released Tencent and developed it. However, this chatbot has had some controversies due to its development in China.
The AI features that received the most attention were the new ones on the new Kindle Scribe 2024 model and the first-generation one, which received the same features via firmware update. The AI-powered notebook enables you to quickly summarize pages and pages of notes into concise bullets that can be easily shared. If you’re scribbling in a hurry or don’t have the tidiest handwriting, the new AI-powered refinement feature will convert your handwritten notes into a script font for a more elegant (and legible) look.
I can see other companies using similar AI models for the type of work Amazon is doing. I can also see more players using it for more robust book recommendations, which will directly lead to more sales.
Finally, some e-readers may be designed to be repairable. Kobo has partnered with iFixit so that if your e-reader is damaged and out of warranty, you may be able to replace some parts yourself. Currently, only their latest-generation products are repairable. By choosing to repair your e-reader, you can extend the lifespan.
Predicting the Future of E-Readers in 2025
- Kaleido 3 Plus will be seen on more e-readers.
- E INK Kaleido 4 will be announced.
- E INK Carta 1300 and 1350 will be seen on more e-readers and e-notebooks.
- We will see more colored e-readers and fewer black-and-white ones.
- Kobo will release a Color Elipsa.
- E INK smartphones will continue to grow in popularity.
- The first modern foldable e-reader, similar to the eOnebook or the old Encourage Pocket Edge, could be a reality.
- Amazon will not release any new models in 2025.
- Amazon will not release more e-readers with physical page-turn buttons.
- A new Nook Color e-reader will come out.
- E-Notebooks will continue to gain traction due to the new Remarkable Paper Pro and Kindle Scribe selling well.
- Subscription-based e-book content will become more popular, decreasing publishers’ profits.
- Distraction-free e-readers with no Bluetooth and WIFI will start appealing to users who want privacy.
The China Connection
When developing new e-readers with the latest E INK technology, Chinese readers usually adopt it first. E INK is based in Taiwan, but most screen manufacturing and supply partners are in mainland China. There is no language barrier; companies can rush to market new products using tech that hasn’t even been announced. A good example is the iReader C6, the first e-reader with Kaleido 3, released more than four months before anyone else. They also were the first to release an e-reader with E INK Kaleido 3+, which is so new that there is no information yet.
Most e-readers that hit the market are developed and marketed only in China despite having the latest tech. This is because they can sell millions of units to a domestic audience they know and understand. Companies like Boox, iFlytek, iReader, Hyread, Hanvon, Bigme, Xiaomi, OBOOK, Mooink, and Huawei. Some companies, such as Bigme and Boox, have an international division and release e-readers and e-notebooks with Google Play and various screen sizes.
Conclusion: The Future of Reading
Reading is very popular in the United States. In the first ten months of 2024, digital audiobook sales were up 26.1% yearly, reaching $883.4 million in revenue. On the other hand, e-book revenues were up 2.9% to $861.9 million compared to the same period in 2024. Amazon is the most significant player in the US and globally. Rakuten Kobo is a close second. These companies sell audiobooks and e-books on the device and have their subscription-based platform.
The vast majority of people continue to read on their phones. Over 85% of adults in the United States report reading more on their mobile devices than on traditional print media. I know many others who read on their iPads since the screen is more significant and all the images look better because of the bright and vibrant colors. Color E INK technology still has some work to be done to look as good as smartphones/tablets.
However, e-readers are primarily aimed at serious readers. Unlike the iPhone or Android devices that can’t buy audiobooks or e-books within the Kindle or Nook app anymore, you can buy all of this content on e-readers, even in your pajamas. E-readers are also far more affordable than smartphones; you can buy a good one, with all the bells and whistles, for under $300 and a solid e-reader for under $200. The latest iPhone 16 Pro costs over $1600, and a top-of-the-line iPad costs $1900. Buying a dedicated book reader makes sense.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
