Tolino Vision 6: Comprehensive Long-term Review of New Features and Performance

With the Tolino Vision 6, the Tolino partners continue the successful Vision series into its sixth generation. At first glance, the e-reader appears to be a gentle update compared to its predecessor.

Minor adjustments to the casing, newer display technology, and a slightly more modern Android version—these represent the main new features. However, these changes have a more significant impact than one might initially expect.

Almost a year after launch, we take a closer look in this review at how the Vision 6 performs in everyday use.

Build Quality, Features, and Handling

The previous model departed from some long-standing Vision traditions: the HD suffix was dropped, the shape was altered, the flat display was replaced with a new look, and, for the first time (along with the Epos 2), physical page-turn buttons were introduced in place of the typical Tolino home button.

The fact that these changes weren’t just temporary is proven by the Vision 6, which follows this approach almost unchanged and retains all of these features.

However, some of the changes do not simply serve ergonomics, but are the result of collaboration with Rakuten Kobo. The Japanese-Canadian e-reader specialist is now on board as a technology partner in the Tolino alliance. Because of this, the latest devices from these two e-reading giants are very similar in both appearance and technology.

Asymmetrical Design

The grip bar, positioned on the side, is considered more ergonomic as it allows you to hold the e-reader without your fingers touching the screen. This also applies to the Tolino Vision 6, which, thanks to this design, fits very comfortably in the hand. The e-reader typically rests in the palm and is stabilized by the fingers at the back and the thumb at the front.

The thumb naturally lands relatively close to the page-turn buttons, which are centered vertically but have been moved further to the outer edge this time.

In my initial hands-on experience, I observed that this button placement aligns more naturally with the position of the thumb than the central placement on the Vision 5. Over several months of use, however, I have revised this assessment.

Great handling thanks to the asymmetrical design

In practice, I tend to rest my thumb more in the center of the grip bar rather than directly on the page-turn buttons.

This brings both advantages and disadvantages: on the one hand, accidental page turns are eliminated, and the smooth surface beneath the thumb is more comfortable; on the other, the movement required to turn the page is now somewhat larger than before.

Ultimately, personal preference determines whether one favors the button position of the Vision 5 or the Vision 6. I do not have a definitive preference between the two.

Weight and Changes to the Casing

One actual disadvantage of the Tolino Vision 6 compared to its predecessor is its weight. At 215 grams, it is 20 grams heavier than the previous model. This amounts to around 10 percent extra weight, which is noticeable in a direct comparison and can be somewhat less favorable for long reading sessions.

To be fair, though, it should be mentioned that 215 grams is not heavy in absolute terms, and you should have no handling issues with the device. However, a drop in weight would have been more desirable than the increase.

Alongside the change in button position and the additional weight, small adjustments have also been made to the casing’s shape.

Rounded edges

The Tolino Vision 6 measures 161.6 x 144.6 x 5.9 to 10.5 mm. So, the new e-reader is slightly thicker and taller than its predecessor. This change is most noticeable visually in the slightly wider display borders.

The edges of the case have been more extensively rounded, and the distinct kink of the grip bar has become a gentle curve. The casing once again curves upward at the outer edge of the grip bar, creating a clearly defined edge. Depending on how you hold the device, this can serve as a secure gripping point to stabilize the e-reader effortlessly. This bend is missing on the Vision 5, so when your thumb is near the edge, it can slip more easily.

Backside

The pattern on the back has changed, but the choice of materials and the quality feel remain the same on the Vision 6. In other words: the e-reader is excellently crafted, and thanks to the refined edge shape, it feels even slightly more premium than the Vision 5. However, the perforated back causes dust and crumbs to collect in the small holes.

Rounder Buttons, New Functions

Not only have the edges of the casing been softened, but the two page-turn buttons have also been made slightly rounder and are now raised a little higher.

As a result, they are easier to find by touch and feel more pleasant to use.

However, compared to the predecessor, the pressure points of the buttons remain unchanged. They are distributed unevenly: the buttons can be pressed easily in the middle and at the outer edge, but it becomes increasingly difficult towards the inside.

Page-turn buttons

This is not a major problem, as you quickly adapt to it, but competitors like Amazon have implemented it a bit better.

Still, having page-turn buttons is a clear advantage over older Tolino models and significantly increases reading comfort.

The function of the page-turn buttons can also be reversed, allowing you to turn pages with either button, depending on your preferred grip.

A new feature is the ability to assign additional functions to a long button press within a book, such as opening the lighting menu, navigating to the home page, or activating or deactivating the touchscreen.

The power button remains on the back of the device, as on the previous model.

New Hardware Platform

Some of the biggest changes in the Tolino Vision 6 are hidden beneath the surface.

Instead of using a single-core CPU with 1 GHz as before, the Vision 6 is powered by an Allwinner B300 quad-core processor running at up to 1.8 GHz. The RAM has also doubled to 1 GB. This upgrade makes the new Vision noticeably faster than any previous Tolino model.

In pure reading mode, the difference is hardly noticeable, but when navigating the user interface, the increase in speed is clear.

The internal storage still cannot be expanded via memory card, but the capacity has doubled to 16 GB compared to its predecessor. Also new is the inclusion of a USB-C port, which provides twice the charging power. Instead of charging at 5 watts, the Tolino Vision 6 now charges significantly faster at 10 watts.

Of course, built-in water protection with IPX8 certification is present as well. This feature, first introduced with the Vision 2, has been a constant in the Vision series ever since.

Intermediate Conclusion

Although the Tolino Vision 6 is slightly heavier, its handling comfort surpasses its predecessor, thanks to the thoughtfully refined casing.

The softer edges all around and rounder, repositioned buttons make handling even more comfortable than the already well-designed previous model.

Display and Lighting

Like its predecessor, the Tolino Vision 6 features a 7-inch display. If you’re upgrading from an older Vision (1 to 4 HD), the Vision 6 offers a screen that’s an inch larger. In any case, the larger display size enhances the reading experience by reducing the need for frequent page turns.

As before, the display resolution is 1680×1264 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 300 ppi. This so-called “Retina” resolution ensures very sharp text.

E-Ink Carta 1200 and Contrast

The most significant innovation with the Vision 6 is the display technology: instead of the standard E-Ink Carta, the device now uses the new E-Ink Carta 1200 technology.

This sounds a little abstract or cryptic and, in reality, it is. The new E-Ink display designations debuted with E-Ink Kaleido and continue here. This can be a bit problematic, as it’s difficult for consumers to find precise technical information. Still, E-Ink Carta 1200 promises a 20% faster response time and 15% higher contrast.

With the new naming convention, E Ink Holdings seems to seek better differentiation in the quality of their display technology—much like standardized naming seen with smartphone chips (e.g., Snapdragon) or display glass (e.g., Gorilla Glass). As such, E-Ink Carta 1200 is currently the best Carta display technology available.

Not much difference between Vision 5 (left) and Vision 6 (right) with lighting off

At first glance, E-Ink Carta 1200 doesn’t appear to make a significant difference. When the lighting is off, the screens of the Vision 5 and Vision 6 look almost identical. Only on closer inspection does the text appear slightly darker on the newer model. However, in regular reading, this is not immediately noticeable.

Given the promised increase in contrast, I expected a more pronounced improvement and was initially a bit disappointed. Not because the Vision 6 screen is bad—it isn’t—but because the difference is small compared to the (already excellent) Vision 5.

This initial disappointment quickly faded the moment I activated the built-in lighting of the Tolino Vision 6.

Lighting Quality

Once the lighting is turned on, the Vision 6 delivers a genuine wow factor. As expected, the screen background brightens when the light is activated, while the text remains deep and crisp black.

Significantly more contrast and much more even illumination on the Vision 6 (right) compared to the Vision 5 (left)

Few e-readers have achieved this balance quite so well. In fact, the contrast improvement feels even greater than the announced 15%.

With lighting, the Tolino Vision 6 undoubtedly ranks among the best e-readers ever produced.

The strong impression continues with the light distribution. Due to its asymmetrical shape, achieving even lighting is more challenging since the LEDs are positioned on the side of the frame, often causing uneven illumination from right to left. This can be noticeable because it follows the reading direction from word to word.

The black level on the Vision 6 is noticeably better with lighting (inverted image mode for better visibility)

This issue doesn’t occur with the Vision 6: the light is distributed much more evenly across the screen than on its predecessor. This homogeneity is not only impressive for an asymmetrical design but also when compared to more traditional casings with lighting from below.

Blue Light-Reduced Lighting

Of course, a blue light reduction lighting option is also included.

This night light feature allows the screen to be illuminated with LEDs that shift from a cool white (bluish) setting to a warm white (orange) setting.

The process is almost seamless, enabling fine-tuned adjustments of the light color to match personal preferences. Typically, you’ll use an orange hue in the evening or at night, whereas during the day, you’ll set the screen to neutral white.

Clean, cloud-free, and even illumination on the Vision 6

There’s nothing to complain about in this regard: the mixing of light colors works flawlessly, with no visible color clouds, and the result appears very uniform to the naked eye. Even a pure white backlight mixes perfectly.

The blue light reduction aims to make reading more comfortable in the dark and at night. Blue light is said to affect the sleep cycle according to multiple studies. Whether the light intensity of an e-reader is enough to have such an effect remains uncertain.

At least from my subjective perspective, reading with Smartlight (the name of the night light feature on Tolino e-readers) enabled is very comfortable. As a counter-check: deactivating the orange LEDs in the dark makes the blue-white light suddenly feel unpleasant. For that reason, I am personally convinced that blue light reduction is a worthwhile feature for e-readers and only use devices that offer this option.

Brightness and Color Temperature

The Tolino Vision 6 ranks in the upper middle tier regarding screen brightness. With enhanced brightness mode activated, the device can reach a maximum of 124 cd/m² with night light and 108 cd/m² using the cool light setting.

The minimum brightness is now almost identical for both warm (1.0 cd/m²) and cool light (1.2 cd/m²) settings—an improvement over its predecessor and excellent overall. These low values should also be dim enough for very light-sensitive users to avoid glare in dark environments.

The color temperature is 6700 Kelvin without night light, and 2900 Kelvin with night light activated.

Orange light color with 100% activated Smartlight

As always, keep in mind that there may be manufacturing variation within the model series, which leads to slight deviations from one device to another for brightness and color temperature values.

There is no light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment.

However, the color temperature can be automatically adjusted depending on the time of day. The Vision 6 does not offer the same extensive customization options as PocketBook, which allows brightness and color temperature to be set for each hour using a graph.

The Tolino software opts for a simpler solution: you can enable automatic adjustment with a switch, but there are no additional options.

Touchscreen and Ghosting

The Tolino Vision 6 is operated using a capacitive touchscreen, which works quickly and accurately, as expected. The combination of a faster CPU and the E-Ink Carta 1200 display creates an impression of faster response times, although this is likely due to the interaction of these components rather than the touchscreen alone.

For years now, ghosting has not been a serious issue in normal reading mode for most e-readers. The Vision 6 continues this trend. By default, the screen only performs a full refresh when necessary and doesn’t flicker when turning a page.

However, it’s worth noting that the Vision 5 slightly outperforms the Vision 6 in regard to ghosting. While ghosting on the Vision 6 is subtle and only perceptible on close inspection, the Vision 5 often displays no remnants of the previous page even when inspected closely. In this one area, I feel the Tolino Vision 6 has a minor disadvantage over its predecessor.

Intermediate Conclusion

The initial disappointment over the not-so-drastic contrast improvement upon first using the Tolino Vision 6 quickly gave way to excitement about just how impressive the e-reader’s display really is.

While there is no noticeable difference compared to its predecessor when the lighting is off, the improvements with lighting enabled are much more marked.

Such rich contrast and even light distribution are rare, making the Tolino Vision 6 a standout device in terms of screen quality.

Reading and User Friendliness

The Tolino Vision 6 continues to offer the user-friendly interface familiar from previous models.

You can read about essential aspects of Tolino operation and features in the Shine 3 review. Most of these features apply to the Vision 6 as well.

Nevertheless, I would like to highlight noteworthy aspects and new features of the Tolino Vision 6 below.

Reading with Page-Turn Buttons and Orientation Sensor

The page-turn buttons, combined with the asymmetrical design, significantly enhance the reading experience compared to e-readers without buttons. When holding the e-reader, the lower corner fits securely in the palm, and the thumb lands near the page-turn buttons.

By default, the lower button turns pages forward, while the upper button turns them back. This layout can also be reversed, as mentioned earlier. You can now also disable the touchscreen within the reading app.

The orientation only changes if you tap the icon.

The built-in orientation sensor recognizes when you rotate the device. If you prefer holding the Vision 6 in your left hand, simply rotate it 180 degrees. An indicator appears on the screen’s edge, alerting you to the change in orientation. Tapping the icon rotates the display. This works in all four directions.

Screen rotation is reliable, and requiring user confirmation prevents unintentional orientation changes. If you ignore the icon and keep reading, the notification disappears and the orientation remains unchanged. This is practical, particularly if you enjoy reading while lying on your side. Still, it would be helpful to have a general orientation lock.

Accessibility

The Tolino Vision 6 provides a magnification mode to improve accessibility on its 7-inch screen. Smaller e-readers, such as the Shine 3 or Page 2, lack this feature due to their limited display area.

You can activate magnification mode under “additional settings” on the device. Once enabled, all screen elements appear larger. Although display elements are brought closer together, the spacing is ample enough to prevent accidentally pressing the wrong symbols.

The enlarged view greatly increases menu readability.

The magnification mode improves menu readability

The Tolino alliance points out that the Committee for the Concerns of the Visually Impaired at the German Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBSV), as well as the German Central Library in Leipzig (DZB), were involved in development, with direct feedback incorporated.

However, it is disappointing that the eBook shops have still not been adapted. To use the shop (Thalia.at) directly on the device, the magnification mode must be disabled.

Night Mode

Night mode, already familiar from the previous model, is not the blue-light-reduced night light but an inverted display mode. In night mode, the background is black and the text is white.

For me, the blue-light-reduced lighting is enough for night reading, but a Dark Mode is generally a welcome addition and has become standard in the smartphone market in recent years.

Inverted display mode

However, when night mode is enabled and you switch to a book, it quickly becomes clear why this feature is not widespread on e-readers: the ghosting effect is very pronounced. On a black background, it is far more noticeable than with regular black text.

Additionally, the screen refresh is not ideally handled: as needed, the screen briefly flashes white, which can briefly be blinding.

Amazon addresses this better with Kindle devices: there, the lighting is briefly switched off at the same moment, and the maximum brightness is limited, making ghosting less perceptible.

Though night mode is a welcome improvement, there is still room for enhancement.

Skoobe

With Thalia now partnered with the eBook flat rate provider Skoobe , you can use your Tolino Vision 6 purchased from Thalia, Mayersche, Osiander, or Orell Füssli directly with Skoobe—assuming you have a Skoobe subscription.

The Skoobe menu isn’t available on all Tolinos

Usage is simple: a dedicated Skoobe menu lets you search offerings and borrow eBooks, which sync directly with the e-reader. This worked smoothly in my tests and is a notable benefit for frequent readers.

The Skoobe library can be accessed and browsed directly on Thalia-Tolino readers

If you purchased the Vision 6 at a retailer other than those listed, Skoobe is not available through official means. In that case, you must rely on sideloading apps, as described below, which is not officially supported.

Android Apps via Sideloading

Like all other Tolino devices, the Vision 6 runs on Android (or AOSP) as the foundation of its interface. With the latest Vision model, there’s finally been a significant version jump: from 4.4 to 8.1. The Tolino Vision 6 therefore runs a much newer Android version than previous models.

This is largely irrelevant for standard users, as the Tolino interface conceals the operating system and users won’t see Android during routine operation.

Tinkerers and enthusiasts can get more out of the Vision 6 through app sideloading—though it’s not officially intended

However, for tinkerers and enthusiasts, this is interesting. Although not intended as standard, Android apps can be installed with a few modifications. This transforms the Vision into an E-Ink tablet, and the updated Android version allows a much wider range of compatible apps.

Find out how to install apps without root and find the guide for rooting the Vision 6 here.

PDF Display

The PDF display functions in much the same way as described in the previously referenced Tolino Shine 3 review.

I mention it specifically here because, given the improved hardware, I expected the Vision 6 to provide a more responsive PDF experience.

The PDF function is less responsive than expected

In practice, this isn’t the case. In fact, I even find that large, complex PDFs are a bit more cumbersome to handle on the Vision 6 than on the Shine 3.

This is likely mainly due to insufficient software optimization, because when you install an alternative Android app, PDF viewing works flawlessly. If you frequently need to read large PDFs, you may be interested in exploring the sideloading option currently available, though unofficially, on the Vision 6 (see above).

tolino Reading Experience (beta) and Onleihe

Within the reading settings of the Tolino Vision 6, you can enable the so-called “tolino reading experience,” currently offered as a beta version.

This alternative reading app differs from the familiar standard application (see the Tolino Shine 3 review) in both appearance and functionality.

The beta reading mode needs to be activated first for non-LCP content

This application’s presence is due to the increasing use of LCP or CARE encryption. CARE stands for “Content & Author Right Environment” and is based on the European DRM solution Readium LCP (Licensed Content Protection). With CARE or LCP, you do not need an additional Adobe user account to open DRM-protected eBooks, simplifying the process and reducing privacy concerns.

The downside is that eBooks protected this way cannot be opened with the regular reading application; this dual-application approach primarily facilitates Onleihe use.

The beta status is also noted in the reading menu

I believe users should take this app at face value: as a beta version. Many negative experiences (see the following point) likely relate to this reading application.

Different font adjustment menu than in the regular Tolino reading application

It runs more slowly than the standard app, particularly when opening an eBook, and sometimes takes a few seconds to process inputs. I never encountered such delays with the normal reading application. As a result, I do not currently use it and leave the option disabled in settings.

Unstable Software?

Tolino software is generally known not for feature overload, but for being user-friendly, clear, and stable—at least, that has been true for all previous models I have reviewed.

However, the Tolino Vision 6 has received a noticeably higher number of negative customer reviews in the online stores of various Tolino partners. Other Tolino models, such as the Shine 3, average four stars at Thalia, while the Vision 6 averages only three stars. This is somewhat surprising, considering the excellent hardware and intuitive user interface. What’s behind this?

Many dissatisfied buyers highlight the same core issue: the e-reader is said to be unstable on the software side (with the battery lasting only a short time—more on that later). Users report problems such as crashes, freezing, or pages being skipped.

Occasional Stuck Home Navigation

I can partially confirm these reports. While I didn’t encounter problems while reading, I sometimes experienced issues when returning to the home screen from a book.

Occasionally, the e-reader would not respond to the home swipe gesture and become unresponsive: the current page remained on display, but further touchscreen inputs registered no response.

In such cases, briefly pressing the power button to put the device into sleep mode, and then waking it, reliably returned me to the home screen.

This issue occurred infrequently enough to be an annoyance rather than a major problem for me, as it was quickly resolved.

Of course, everyone’s tolerance for frustration varies. My advice is to closely monitor performance after purchase and, if problems persist, consider returning the device rather than hoping for a software update or managing a complex warranty process later.

I suspect other stability problems are most likely associated with the beta reading application (as above), since aside from the occasional navigation issue, I encountered no crashes or problems using the regular reading application on both of my Tolino Vision 6 devices.

Battery Life

The second main issue commonly mentioned in customer reviews is shorter battery life, which I can also partially confirm.

The Tolino Vision 6 does indeed last less time on a single charge compared to its predecessor, even though its battery is larger at 1,500 mAh (Vision 5: 1,200 mAh). While I noticed nothing unusual during standby, the battery indicator dropped faster while reading.

Power Consumption During Reading

I compared my two Vision 6 devices with their predecessor and verified my observations with a small test: At approximately 50% screen brightness, the battery level on both Vision 6 units dropped by 6% after one hour of reading. Under comparable conditions, the Vision 5 only lost 4%.

Although not a rigorous scientific test, this does support my subjective impression. Extrapolated, at these settings, a fully charged Vision 6 should last about 16.67 hours of reading, while a Vision 5 would last 25 hours.

The battery life is not the best, but it’s acceptable

In everyday terms: reading two hours daily, a Vision 6 would need charging after around 7 to 8 days, while a Vision 5 would last about 11 to 12 days (taking standard standby loss into account).

Naturally, many factors—including brightness, text settings, refresh rate, Wi-Fi reception, and more—can shift these numbers up or down. These should be regarded as approximate values.

Although I noticed higher power consumption during use, the need to recharge the Vision 6 didn’t feel disproportionately frequent. In other words: I did not find myself plugging it in noticeably more often.

More Power-Hungry Platform?

The Vision 6’s battery performance is reminiscent of various open Android e-readers, which also tend not to be frugal with their batteries when using a more powerful CPU and modern Android version. I suspect the new hardware platform plays a role here, as the Kobo Sage (which shares the Allwinner B300 quad-core processor) also reportedly suffers from relatively short battery life according to users.

If you are switching from an older Tolino model, it’s important to note the shorter battery life. While software updates might bring minor improvements, it’s unlikely the Vision 6 will match the longevity of earlier Tolino devices.

A small consolation is the double charging speed, which helps offset this drawback in my opinion. The Vision 6 requires charging more often than the Vision 5, but it takes less time to fully recharge.

Although I understand why some users might complain about the shorter battery life, I cannot confirm the extreme cases described in some reviews of only a few hours’ endurance.

Conclusion

At first glance, it may appear that little has changed with the Tolino Vision 6 compared to its predecessor. In truth, almost every aspect has been updated and improved.

A faster processor, more RAM, larger storage, increased contrast, more even lighting, higher charging power, bigger battery, newer Android platform, and a refined casing—these features sum up the latest Vision series update.

In my opinion, these qualities make it one of the best e-readers on the market. It is not perfect, as discussed above, but the considerable improvements certainly brighten my experience. Of the 11 years and over 100 e-reader models I have tested or used, only a handful have boasted such a high-quality display.

The Tolino Vision 6 currently has one of the best displays on the market. A few quirks, however, prevent an unreserved purchase recommendation.

Where there is much light, some shadows are present as well: this saying holds true here. The occasional issue with stuck navigation and the relatively shorter battery life are two aspects that slightly detract from the otherwise outstanding impression. Optimizing the PDF display and improving Onleihe/LCP compatibility would also be welcome in future updates.

All things considered, I remain enthusiastic about the Vision 6 even after many months of use. The drawbacks I mentioned hardly affected my reading enjoyment, and the exceptional screen more than makes up for them.

Moreover, for tinkerers like myself, Android 8.1 makes the Vision 6 even more intriguing than many other e-readers. While not an official feature, it is possible—using a small trick or root access—to install Android apps (as of July 24, 2022; see guide). Paired with the new Android version, this allows you to work around some quirks with suitable apps.

Even if some customer reviews paint a negative picture of the device, I believe the Tolino Vision 6 is much better than its reputation suggests.

My advice: as a potential buyer, you should definitely give the Tolino Vision 6 a closer look (keeping in mind the mentioned quirks), because such a rich, uniformly illuminated display is a rare find.