Let’s start the Kobo Arc Review by saying that the Kobo Arc is a tablet device meant to compete with the likes of the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet. eReader manufacturers have been making increasing efforts to crack into the tablet market, offering low-end, low-priced tablets that offer all the tablet essentials, plus support for the company’s own online book store.
Design
The Kobo Arc has a sleek and modern design that sets it apart from other e-readers and tablets on the market. The device features a slim profile, measuring just 0.4 inches thick, which makes it easy to hold and carry. The front of the device is dominated by a 7-inch touchscreen display, while the back has a soft-touch finish that provides a comfortable grip. Its overall design is minimalist, with no physical buttons or ports on the front of the device, which adds to its sleek and modern look.
Premium Build Materials
One of the standout features of the Kobo Arc is its premium build materials. The back of the device is made of a soft-touch material that not only feels great in the hand, but also helps to prevent slips and drops.
The front of the device is covered by a layer of durable glass that provides scratch and impact resistance. This means that the Kobo Arc can withstand everyday wear and tear, making it a durable option for those who are always on the go.
Another premium material used in the Arc’s construction is aluminum. Kobo’s frame is made of lightweight, yet durable aluminum, which adds to the device’s overall premium feel. The use of aluminum also provides an added layer of protection for the device’s internals, making it less likely to suffer damage from drops or impacts.
Screen and Display
The Kobo Arc boasts a 7-inch high-resolution display that delivers vibrant and crisp visuals. With a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels, the screen produces sharp text and vivid images, bringing books, magazines, and other content to life.
Display uses an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel, which provides wide viewing angles, allowing you to comfortably read from different positions without losing image quality or color accuracy. This makes it ideal for extended reading sessions or for sharing content with others.
Kobo Arc also features an anti-glare coating on its display, which helps reduce glare and reflections from ambient light, making it easier to read in different lighting conditions. This is especially useful when reading outdoors or in bright environments, as it minimizes distractions and ensures a clear view of the content.
Advanced ComfortLight Pro Technology
One of the standout features of the Kobo Arc’s screen is its innovative ComfortLight Pro technology. This technology is designed to optimize the screen’s color temperature based on the time of day, creating a more natural reading experience that mimics the ambient light of the environment.
During the day, the ComfortLight Pro adjusts the color temperature to a cooler, bluish tone, which reduces eye strain and makes reading in bright environments more comfortable.
As the day progresses and the ambient light becomes warmer, the ComfortLight Pro gradually shifts the color temperature to a warmer, more yellowish tone, which helps promote better sleep quality when reading at night. This advanced technology ensures that your reading experience on the Arc is not only visually stunning, but also comfortable and conducive to healthy reading habits.
Connectivity
The Kobo Arc comes equipped with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, providing users with versatile connectivity for a wide range of tasks. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to connect to the internet and access your favorite books, magazines, and other content from Kobo’s extensive online library. You can also browse the web, check emails, and access other online resources with ease, keeping you connected to the digital world.
Additionally, the Arc features Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to connect wirelessly to other compatible devices such as headphones, speakers, or keyboards. This allows you to personalize your reading experience by listening to audiobooks, playing music, or using external accessories for added convenience and flexibility.
Cloud Storage
Kobo Arc comes with built-in cloud storage, which allows you to securely store your digital library and access it from multiple devices.
This means you can start reading a book on your Kobo Arc, and then seamlessly continue from where you left off on another Kobo device or the Kobo app on your smartphone or tablet. This ensures that your reading progress is synchronized across all your devices, allowing you to pick up where you left off without missing a beat.
Battery life
The Arc is equipped with advanced battery management features that optimize power usage, allowing you to enjoy extended reading sessions without constantly reaching for the charger. With its efficient processor and intelligent power management system, the Arc minimizes power consumption during idle periods and adjusts performance based on your usage patterns.
The device also offers power-saving settings that allow you to customize various aspects of the device’s behavior to conserve battery life.
You can adjust screen brightness, set automatic sleep timers, and enable power-saving modes, ensuring that your Arc lasts longer between charges. This means you can indulge in your favorite books for longer periods without interruptions, whether you’re at home, on the go, or traveling.
Battery Performance
The Arc boasts a high-capacity battery that delivers impressive performance, allowing you to read for hours on end without worrying about running out of power. The exact battery life may vary depending on usage patterns, settings, and other factors, but on average, th Arc can last up to several weeks on a single charge.
This exceptional battery life is particularly handy for avid readers who are always on the move or prefer to read without the need for frequent recharging.
Whether you’re on a long flight, camping in the wilderness, or simply enjoying a lazy weekend of reading, the Kobo Arc’s long-lasting battery performance ensures that you can continue your reading adventures without interruption.
Quick and Convenient Charging
When it’s time to recharge your Kobo Arc, the device offers quick and convenient charging options that allow you to get back to your books in no time. The device comes with a fast-charging USB cable that allows you to charge your Arc from your computer, wall adapter, or any other USB power source.
Additionally, the Arc supports wireless charging, which provides added convenience and flexibility. You can use compatible wireless charging pads or stands to charge your Kobo Arc without the need for any cables, making it a breeze to keep your device charged and ready for your next reading session.
Tips for Maximizing Battery Life
While the Kobo Arc offers impressive battery life, there are also some tips you can follow to further maximize the device’s battery performance. Here are a few suggestions to help you make the most out of your Arc’s battery life:
Adjust screen brightness: Lowering the screen brightness can significantly reduce power consumption and extend battery life. Adjust the screen brightness to a comfortable level that suits your reading environment and preferences.
Enable power-saving mode: The Arc offers power-saving modes that can help you conserve battery life. Enable power-saving mode when you’re not actively using the device, or customize the settings to suit your needs.
Close unnecessary apps: Closing apps that you’re not using can help minimize power consumption and extend battery life. Make sure to close any apps running in the background that you don’t need while reading.
Disconnect unnecessary connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are known to consume battery power. Disconnect unnecessary connectivity options when you’re not using them to conserve battery life.
Update firmware: Keeping your Kobo Arc’s firmware up to date can help improve battery performance. Make sure to regularly check for firmware updates and install them as needed.
Kobo Arc Pros and Cons
Pros
- Crisp Display Quality: Kobo Arc features a high-resolution screen with crisp and vibrant colors, making your reading experience immersive and enjoyable. The 7-inch display is optimized for reading, offering sharp text and clear images, enhancing your reading pleasure.
- Customizable Reading Experience: The Arc allows you to personalize your reading experience with adjustable font sizes, styles, and margins.
- Powerful Processing: Arc device is powered by a robust processor, ensuring smooth performance for browsing, reading, and multimedia tasks.
- Extensive eBook Collection: With access to the Kobo eBookstore, the Arc offers a vast collection of eBooks, ranging from bestsellers to niche genres.
- Expandable Storage: The Arc comes with ample internal storage for your eBooks, but it also offers the option to expand storage using a microSD card.
Cons
- Limited App Selection: While the Arc runs on Android, the app selection is relatively limited compared to other Android-based devices.
- No Cellular Connectivity: Arc relies solely on Wi-Fi for internet connectivity, which means you need to be connected to Wi-Fi to download new eBooks, browse the web, or access online content.
- Average Battery Life: The battery life is decent, but it may not be as long-lasting as some other e-readers on the market.
- Limited Audio Features: Arc does not have built-in speakers or a headphone jack, which means you cannot listen to audiobooks or other multimedia content directly from the device.
- Limited Brand Recognition: While Kobo has a loyal following among avid readers, it may not be as well-known as some other e-reader brands.
Verdict
As we come to the end of our comprehensive review of the Kobo Arc, it’s clear that this e-reader is a compelling choice for book lovers who seek a device that enhances their reading experience.
With its crisp display quality, customizable reading options, powerful processing, extensive eBook collection, and expandable storage, the Arc offers a range of pros that make it a top contender in the e-reader market.
