E Ink unveils Kaleido 4 color e-paper with faster refresh, wider gamut
E Ink has announced Kaleido 4, a new color e-paper display technology that doubles color gamut volume to over 40,000 colors and improves white reflectance and contrast. The company says an added oxide backplate lets the screen refresh fast enough to show video at 18 fps, addressing a longstanding weakness of e-paper displays. Kaleido 4 is currently used only in Hanvon Technology's M10 C II tablet.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Because major e-reader makers like Amazon, Kobo and Boox license E Ink's panels, this upgrade could eventually filter into mainstream devices, potentially sharpening text clarity and color accuracy together, a tradeoff that has historically forced manufacturers to choose between Kaleido and Gallery technologies. Independent testing will be needed to confirm how much real-world improvement Kaleido 4 delivers over Kaleido 3 before judging its impact on the broader e-reader market.
- Kaleido 4 can reportedly display over 40,000 colors, double the gamut of its predecessor.
- New oxide backplate enables video playback at 18 fps, fast for e-paper standards.
- Currently only shipping in Hanvon Technology's M10 C II tablet, not yet adopted by major brands.
Kobo Libra Colour E-Reader — Kobo's Libra Colour already uses E Ink's Kaleido technology, letting you preview what this color e-paper evolution is building on. It's a great pick for readers who want a paper-like screen with splashes of color for comics, magazines, and annotated notes, all while keeping battery life excellent.
See Kobo Libra Colour E-Reader on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Ian Carlos Campbell, 2026-10-15
Published there as: “E Ink's new Kaleido 4 could inch us closer to the perfect color e-reader”
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