Tolino Epos 3 Launch: Enhanced Features with E-Ink Carta 1200 and New Platform
After last year’s update of the Vision series, it’s now time for the latest Tolino series to receive its update.
Today, the Tolino Epos 3 enters its third generation, featuring the latest E-Ink technology, a new hardware platform, a new software foundation, and a subtly refreshed design, replacing the Epos 2, which has been available since 2019.
Latest Screen Technology
One of the most significant innovations is the introduction of the new E-Ink Carta 1200 screen technology. This is the most advanced e-paper technology currently offered by E-Ink Holdings and is already in use in the Tolino Vision 6.
This new technology has already made an impression there, thanks to its excellent contrast and particularly even illumination. Whether the Tolino Epos 3 can deliver similar performance will be explored in the review.
The screen resolution remains unchanged at 1920×1440 pixels, as does the display’s 8-inch diagonal. This again results in a sharp pixel density of 300 ppi.
The built-in lighting allows for screen illumination, and, a night light function is included, enabling the adjustment of the color temperature.
The new screen now omits E-Ink Mobius technology. This refers to the flexible plastic-based design (as opposed to glass), which not only made the predecessor’s display shatterproof but also lighter.
Refined Housing
At first glance, the Tolino Epos 3 looks very similar to its predecessor.
However, as with the Vision 6, the design details around the housing have been refined throughout.
The most notable change is the absence of the distinct bend in the grip strip. Instead, the grip now curves slightly toward the outer edge. This enhances handling noticeably—a benefit already demonstrated by the Vision 6.
The two hardware buttons have also been redesigned. They are now completely separate, which improves handling as each now has a relatively consistent pressure point along its entire length.
Due to the new display and likely a few other changes to the housing, the new Epos has gained some weight: Instead of 195 grams, the Epos 3 now weighs 232 grams. Although heavier than its predecessor, this remains perfectly acceptable for an 8-inch device.
Worry-free reading by the water with IPX8 certification
New Platform
There are two key innovations under the hood.
First, the Tolino Epos 3 now shares the same hardware platform as the Vision 6. As a result, the Epos is now equipped with the quad-core AllWinner B300 chip. Together with the E-Ink Carta 1200, this aims to further enhance the device’s response time. The RAM is also doubled, now at 1 GB.
Second, along with the new hardware, the Epos 3 runs on Android 8.1. While the average user may not notice this, tech enthusiasts looking to root their e-reader and install their own apps will find this a significant improvement over the previous generation.
However, the battery capacity deserves a critical note. It remains at 1,200 mAh, which, given the more powerful hardware compared to its predecessor, will probably result in somewhat shorter battery life.
The USB-C charging port is a new addition, while the IPX8 water resistance remains unchanged.
The Tolino Epos 3 is now available for 279 euros.
Kobo Connection
For long-time e-reading enthusiasts, the Epos 3 will feel instantly familiar, as it is the sister model to the Kobo Sage.
As with previous models, Kobo and the German booksellers are continuing their partnership within the Tolino alliance, utilizing largely the same hardware.
This is especially clear in one interesting detail: The Tolino Epos 3 now offers 32 GB of storage (30 GB available), which is triple the capacity of its predecessor. Such generous storage is certainly welcome, though it is rather unusual to fill it solely with eBooks under typical circumstances.
The main reason for the expanded storage is, in part, the audiobook support available on the Kobo Sage. Audiobooks take up substantially more space. However, this functionality is currently missing from Tolino. It would not be surprising if work is already underway on this feature.
How the Tolino Epos 3 performs in everyday use can be found in the review.
