Kindle Paperwhite 2 vs Tolino Vision 2: Detailed Comparison and Review
Note (November 2018): Meanwhile, the Kindle Paperwhite 4 and the Tolino Vision 4 HD have been released, differing significantly more than the models shown below from 2014. The Paperwhite now also features a flat front and water protection, as well as built-in audiobook support (via Audible). Although the Vision 4 HD doesn’t support audiobooks, it does have a built-in night light with blue light reduction.
The following comparison refers to the older models.
Although Amazon no longer sends the Kindle Paperwhite into the race as a high-end flagship (that role is now taken by the Voyage), this ebook reader, available for only 99 Euros, continues to be the workhorse of the US company. With modern technology, excellent lighting, and extensive software features, it competes with the newly introduced Tolino Vision 2. But this one doesn’t need to hide either. The Vision 2 provides the same display technology, but additionally features built-in water protection and an innovative page-turning function. Furthermore, the Vision 2 is available in brick-and-mortar bookstores, starting from 129 Euros.
Find out which of the two eReader models comes out on top in the following comparison.
Software
The home screens of the Kindle Paperwhite and the Tolino Vision 2 initially appear very similar. On both devices, the most recently read ebooks are displayed in a cover view, and in both cases, recommendations from the connected store are located directly below the book display. Fortunately, on the Kindle, you can hide these book recommendations (thanks to massive customer criticism), while the Tolino alliance still does not offer this possibility.
Unlike the Vision 2, the Paperwhite doesn’t offer its own library view. Instead, the home screen on the Amazon device functions as such, which has pros and cons, but ultimately is probably a matter of taste. The collection features on both devices cannot be used with the ever-popular ebook management software Calibre. Files, however, can of course be copied to the device using Calibre in both cases.
At first glance, a similar layout of the home screens
Operation and Basic Functions
The operation is very fast on both devices—both the Paperwhite and the Vision 2 use a 1 GHz Freescale iMX6 chip, with the Tolino eReader featuring twice as much RAM at 512 MB. Both ebook readers are controlled via a capacitive touchscreen. In addition, the Tolino Vision 2 also offers a capacitive home button below the display, as well as the innovative Tap2Flip function, allowing you to turn pages by tapping the back of the device. This works very well in practical use after a brief adjustment period. Otherwise, both models offer the same page-turning options via the touchscreen (swiping and tapping).
The text display options are also very similar. Here, it’s evident that the Tolino developers seem to have drawn some inspiration from the Kindle software. Besides the choice of five or six fonts, you can adjust the font size in seven steps, as well as the line and margin spacing in three steps. Furthermore, on the Vision 2, you can also choose text alignment (justified, left-aligned, centered). Moreover, the Tolino ebook reader supports hyphenation, a function that the Kindle Paperwhite still does not offer, despite frequent customer requests (in German-speaking regions).
Similar text display options, but still no hyphenation on the Paperwhite
Purchasing ebooks is very easy on both devices, though Amazon handles this slightly better due to the lack of Adobe DRM support for a simpler user experience. This means you don’t have to register with two different providers (even once). However, this also has the disadvantage that the Paperwhite doesn’t support the widely used ePub format, meaning ebooks primarily need to be purchased from Amazon. However, regarding ebook pricing, this is not a problem, as they cost the same everywhere due to fixed book pricing. However, if you want to stay as independent as possible, the Vision 2 is the better device in this respect.
Advanced Features
Both the Kindle Paperwhite and the Tolino Vision 2 offer note-taking and dictionary functions. The note function is accessed the same way in both cases (you hold your finger on a word and can add a note to it). On both devices, the created notes are saved in an easy-to-copy TXT file, making external further processing easy.
When it comes to the dictionary feature, Amazon takes the lead: The word definition or translation opens in a small window and can be displayed directly in the text context. Furthermore, the Duden dictionary is used for German, and there’s the option for expansion (usually at a cost). You can also look up words on Wikipedia with a Wi-Fi connection. On the Tolino Vision 2, the dictionary function only opens with an additional click, in a new window. Currently, the only source is the free Wiktionary, which cannot compete with the quality of editorially maintained dictionaries. However, it also has the advantage of offering numerous pre-installed dictionaries from and into German.
The dictionary function is better executed and more quickly accessible on the Kindle Paperwhite
Aside from this, both models feature an internet browser, which is quite handy for quick lookups despite the E-Ink display. The Kindle Paperwhite, however, offers more features (bookmarks and article mode), while the Vision 2’s browser is more limited.
Additionally, the Amazon device features a vocabulary builder and parental controls, two functions not found on the Vision 2.
Hardware
Visually, both eReaders differ quite significantly. The Tolino Vision 2 uses a flush housing surface, similar to tablets or smartphones, while the Kindle Paperwhite employs the typical eBook reader design with the screen recessed into the housing. Both have pros and cons, ultimately balancing each other out.
The build quality of both devices is impeccable. Even with rough handling, nothing creaks or snaps, and both feel very solid. At 174 grams, the Vision 2 is noticeably lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite, which weighs 206 grams. Additionally, the Vision 2 is smaller and slimmer, making it somewhat more comfortable to hold overall.
The Tolino Vision 2 has an internal (usable) storage of 2.10 GB, while the Paperwhite offers 3.13 GB of space since its silent facelift. In both cases, the storage cannot be expanded.
Display
As often happens, the displays of the devices differ quite significantly in practice despite using the same technology. Both use an E-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024×758 pixels. The readability without lighting is very similar, meaning there is no notable difference for practical use.
Both eBook Readers’ screens are very good, but the Paperwhite remains slightly better
The lighting, however, leaves a better overall impression on the Paperwhite. The light is distributed more evenly across the screen, and the contrast noticeably improves when the lighting is activated. On the Tolino Vision 2, the text isn’t as black in direct comparison, although this doesn’t mean the readability is poor. Taken by itself, you’ll have no problems using the Vision 2’s display.
The maximum screen brightness can be set a bit higher and lower on the Kindle Paperwhite compared to the Vision 2.
Price-Performance Ratio
Originally, the Kindle Paperwhite was released for 129 Euros. It’s now priced at just 99 Euros, offering an excellent price-performance ratio. The Tolino Vision 2 was available for pre-order for 129 Euros until November but now generally costs 149 Euros at most Tolino partners (with the exception of Club Bertelsmann at 129 Euros). In any case, the price difference is at least 30 Euros, which is quite significant given the very small technical differences (even when considering the water protection and Tap2Flip bonuses). Therefore, the Paperwhite offers a better price-performance ratio, provided you can forego using ePub files.
Conclusion
Overall, both eBook readers present themselves in their best light. The Kindle Paperwhite has been a staple on the eReader market for a while and continues to enjoy great popularity (and rightly so). The software features are mature, flawless, and extensive, with only a few shortcomings (e.g., the lack of hyphenation).
Vision 2 and Paperwhite are both very good devices; you can hardly go wrong with either purchase. The Kindle eReader offers the better price-performance ratio at 99 Euros
However, the Tolino Vision 2 is also a very good reading device and managed to impress us over a long period in our test. The lighting may not be quite as good as on the Kindle, but you can use ePub files and Onleihe.
Ultimately, the Kindle Paperwhite emerges as the winner of this comparison, mainly due to its significantly lower price. Nevertheless, purchasing the Tolino Vision 2 is still a sound choice.
