Durobo’s compact Krono e-note is finally available after a short delay. It brings a slightly different take on the e-reader formula, going head-to-head with the popular Boox Palma.
Priced at $279.99, the device combines a 6.13-inch e-ink display, Android 15, and a physical smart dial designed to streamline everyday tasks.
At its core, the Krono is still built for reading. However, it leans into versatility more than most devices in this category. It runs Android 15 with full access to the Google Play Store. This means users can install everything from e-book platforms to music streaming apps. That gives it a broader use case than a typical Kindle-style reader. Still, it stops short of replacing a smartphone.
The display uses an E Ink Carta 1200 panel with 300 PPI, paired with a front light for reading in low-light conditions. The standout feature, though, is the Smart Dial on the side. It can be used to adjust brightness on the fly. Additionally, with a press, it can trigger shortcuts like recording voice memos or launching the built-in AI assistant.
Beneath the surface, Krono runs on an octa-core processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This should be more than enough for reading, note-taking, and light app use. It also includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, microphones, and a USB-C port. Therefore, it is a fairly well-rounded portable device.
There are some clear limitations. There’s no modem, no camera, and no speaker above the display. So it won’t double as a phone. But that seems intentional as the Krono is more about offering a focused, distraction-light experience with a few smart extras layered on top.
With its mix of e-reader simplicity and Android flexibility, the Durobo Krono feels like a device aimed at users who want more than just books. Yet, it does this without going all the way to a full tablet.
