Tolino Shine 4 Launch: 6-Inch E-Ink Carta 1200, USB-C, and Sustainable Design
The Tolino Shine 4 is stepping into the role once held by the very first Tolino e-reader, which also bore the name Shine when it was initially released in 2013.
Although the improvements may not be immediately obvious, the new Shine 4 features enhancements in almost every aspect. Additionally, this e-reader aims to make a statement on sustainability.
Prices and Offers
New Display Technology, Same Size
One of the key innovations is the introduction of the new E-Ink Carta 1200 display technology. This is currently the highest-contrast E-Ink technology available for e-readers. Thus, the Shine follows in the footsteps of the Tolino Vision 6 and Epos 3, both of which also utilize this technology.
The resolution remains at 300 ppi (1448 x 1072 pixels), ensuring sharp and clear text.
The 6-inch display diagonal is unchanged, so the screen of the Shine 4 is the same size as the very first Shine. While the e-reader market, much like the smartphone market, has shifted towards larger screens in recent years and smaller reading devices have gradually become rare, industry leader Amazon even recently increased the Kindle Paperwhite’s size.
Therefore, it is reassuring that the Tolino partners continue to serve the more compact e-reading segment with a premium device like the Shine 4.
As is almost expected nowadays, the built-in lighting is included alongside the new display technology and can also be adjusted for color temperature.
Recycled Plastic Housing with Familiar Look
Regarding design, the Tolino Shine 4 remains consistent with its immediate predecessor. This means that the signature Tolino start button from earlier models is likely permanently gone, a change first introduced with the Shine 3.
At first glance, the differences from the previous model are subtle. However, a closer look reveals slightly rounder housing edges, which offer a bit more comfortable handling.
Much like the closely related Kobo Clara 2E, the Shine 4 features a housing made from 85 percent recycled plastic, thus placing a spotlight on sustainability alongside both Kobo and Amazon in their latest releases.
The Shine 4’s housing is made of 85 percent recycled plastic – featuring a dark blue back
Weighing 172 grams and measuring 158.8 x 112.1 x 8.3 mm, the Tolino Shine 4 is about 6 grams heavier and slightly larger than its predecessor (156.4 x 110.2 x 8.35 mm).
The power button has moved from the device’s lower edge to the back and now matches the look and feel of the buttons on the Vision 6 and Epos 3. However, the Shine still does not include page-turn buttons.
New Hardware Platform, Including USB-C
Despite the largely unchanged exterior, significant updates can be found inside. Like the two larger models, the Tolino Shine 4 now runs on a new hardware platform featuring a quad-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. As a result, the device is more responsive, with its user interface operating somewhat faster than its predecessors on the same platform.
While internal storage remains non-expandable, with 16 GB (about 12 GB available), it should be more than sufficient for most users. Storage limitations are also less of a concern here, as the Shine 4 does not support audiobooks—a function that would require much more space—even though the hardware to support such features is technically present.
With the addition of USB-C, the e-reader is now future-proof and already meets the EU’s upcoming mandatory standard connection.
Still with compact dimensions
The Shine 4 also introduces IPX8 certification, making it the first model in the series to offer water protection. This means the device can withstand immersion in water for up to 60 minutes at a depth of up to 2 meters—as long as it is freshwater.
The 1,500 mAh battery is expected to last for several days of use, according to the official data sheet.
Careful Model Refinement with Many Small Enhancements
All things considered, the Shine 4 represents a careful model refinement, accompanied by a number of significant changes. Not all of these are immediately visible—such as the new CPU and waterproofing—while others, like the optimized housing, E-Ink Carta 1200, or USB-C charging, noticeably enhance day-to-day convenience.
Overall, the release of the Tolino Shine 4 is strongly reminiscent of the Vision 6, which at first appeared to introduce only minor innovations, but ultimately delivered major improvements.
The e-reader is now available for 139 euros at all Tolino partners. Somewhat ironically, however, Thalia and its affiliated stores have encountered website technical issues on the day of launch. So, if you plan to purchase the e-reader online from them, you might need to wait a little longer.
You can find a detailed review of the Tolino Shine 4 here.
