E-readers have come a long way – while some may dispute Amazon’s monopoly in this particular product segment, it’s safe to say that the Kindle brand has been more or less the “de facto” name when it comes to e-readers, though that’s not to dismiss the fairly impressive efforts made by competing brands over the years.
take for example Durobo Chrono, a new pocket-friendly e-reader It promises a lot thanks to the myriad of built-in features, and it’s priced at $279.99 for North American buyers. However, given its somewhat high price, is the Chrono worth the investment, especially for users who want an accessible way to take all their digital literature with them? let’s take a look.
Durobo Chrono Features
- 6.13-inch e-ink display (824×1648 pixels)
- Built-in front light
- Plastic Design; rear led indicator
- Support for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- 3950mAh battery
- Android with Google Play Store support
- USB-C support
- Built-in loudspeaker and microphone
good thing
Perhaps one of the Chrono’s greatest features is its design – unlike most e-readers with wide display aspect ratios, the Chrono’s overall size is similar to a smartphone, making it easy to use with one hand. The 6.13-inch e-ink display on the front is quite sharp, and offers a straightforward user experience. It’s also front-lit, with multiple levels of brightness that can be easily adjusted with the rotating crown on the left.
Speaking of controls, the rotating crown can be configured for other functions like page scrolling, making it a very useful addition. You’re also getting a wake/sleep button on the right side of the device, as well as a volume rocker – that’s right, the Chrono also comes with audio capabilities courtesy of its built-in speaker, though there’s also Bluetooth support for wireless audio accessories, which adds another layer to its versatility.
Another major highlight of the Chrono is its software – it runs on Android (15 to be precise), which means users can sideload apps onto the device.
Another major highlight of the Chrono is its software – it runs on Android (15 to be precise), which means users can sideload apps onto the device. Our review unit came with the Google Play Store pre-installed, and I was able to install Google Play Books to access my ebooks, which essentially gives you more freedom when it comes to how you want to manage your digital library.
Another major highlight of the Chrono is its software – it runs on Android (15 to be precise), which means users can sideload apps onto the device. Our review unit came with the Google Play Store pre-installed, and I was able to install Google Play Books to access my ebooks, which essentially gives you more freedom when it comes to how you want to manage your digital library. I was also able to install a GameBoy Advance emulator out of curiosity, though I refrained from running any games given the limited refresh rate of the E-Ink display.
Like most other consumer electronics these days, this device also comes with an AI voice assistant that can be summoned with a double-press of the crown. You can either type your questions or speak them out loud (it comes with a built-in mic), and responses are quite fast depending on your Internet connection. For example, although it answers general trivia, it was unable to provide me with specific information like the current weather, for example.
In terms of battery life, the 3950mAh unit inside the Chrono can last for more than a week of use, especially considering the low power consumption. However, that being said, tasks beyond e-book reading such as audio playback and Internet browsing for example will take a noticeable chunk out of your full charge.
some thoughts
With all the features it comes with, it could use a little improvement in some areas. For one, while the build of the device is overall lightweight and pocket-friendly, the all-plastic construction sometimes leaves a little to be desired. That’s not to say it’s “terrible” as it feels relatively sturdy, although given the Chrono’s price, a splash of aluminum here and there would have been most appreciated.
Additionally, while the AI assistant works properly, at times it fails to register my vocal query, instead forcing me to type my question or request, which defeats the purpose of the built-in microphone in the first place. There were also a few times when the UI stuttered a bit while navigating through some of the device’s built-in menus.
Decision
So far, the Durobo Chrono has managed to pack a lot of the essentials that aren’t easily found on competing e-readers, and features like access to Google Play, comfortable handling, and impressive battery life are major highlights of the device. However with that being said, quirks like AI functionality and subjective build quality should be taken into account, especially if you’re thinking of investing in the Chrono rather than more “mainstream” options from brands like Amazon and Kobo.
However, overall, there’s a lot to like about the Chrono, and users looking for a straightforward e-reader with some extra functionality will definitely want to check it out.
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