PocketBook’s new Verta and Verta Color e-readers cost just $11 (or €10) apart. The two 6-inch models share most of their features; the main difference is a grayscale screen on the Verta and a color screen on the Verta Color.
Price: €169 (US$189)
Where to Buy: PocketBook
The standard Verta has a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display designed for grayscale reading, while the Verta Color uses a Kaleido 3 screen capable of showing 4,096 colors. Both include physical page-turn buttons, adjustable lighting, Bluetooth audio, and interchangeable back panels.
PocketBook has announced European prices of €169 (about US$189) for the Verta and €179 (about US$200) for the Verta Color, with both models expected to become available in November 2026.
Carta 1300 vs. Kaleido 3: Which display should you choose?
The standard Verta uses a 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 grayscale display with a resolution of 1448 × 1072 pixels and a pixel density of 300 PPI. It’s suited to novels and other text-heavy books.
The Verta Color features a 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display capable of showing 4,096 colors. It delivers 300 PPI for black-and-white content and 150 PPI for color, allowing readers to view illustrations, diagrams, and book covers in color.
Kaleido 3 colors are less vibrant than those on an LCD or OLED tablet. The color filter layer can also make the screen appear darker, while detailed color images are displayed at a lower effective resolution than text.
Replaceable back panels and physical buttons
The Verta series has interchangeable back panels, sold separately in different colors. Both models measure 154 × 107.5 × 7mm and weigh 140g.
Physical page-turn buttons beneath the touchscreen provide an alternative to tapping or swiping.
Lighting, splash resistance, and battery life
Both models include PocketBook SMARTlight, which lets readers adjust the screen illumination for different lighting conditions. Dark Mode is also available, along with settings for font size, line spacing, and page layout.
Both models are reported to carry an IPX4 splash-resistance rating, making them splash-resistant, not waterproof. That means they can withstand splashing water, but they aren’t designed to be submerged.
PocketBook rates the 1,500mAh battery for up to two months of use. Actual battery life will depend on lighting settings, Bluetooth use, and reading frequency.
Audiobooks and text-to-speech
Both models support Bluetooth audio for listening to audiobooks through wireless headphones or speakers. Text-to-speech can also read written content aloud, though it isn’t a substitute for professional narration. Check the supported languages if you plan to use it regularly.
Support for different e-book formats and libraries
PocketBook says the Verta series supports 25 common e-book formats, including books protected by Adobe DRM and LCP DRM. Both models also have 16GB of internal storage for books and audio files.
They include support for Onleihe and PocketBook x Libby by OverDrive, allowing readers to borrow digital books from participating public libraries. Whether these services work for you depends on your country, library membership, and the titles available through your local library.
PocketBook Cloud can synchronize supported books and reading positions across compatible devices, including smartphones.
Before switching, check whether your existing purchases use compatible formats and DRM.
PocketBook Verta or Verta Color: Which should you buy?
Choose the €169 Verta if you mainly read novels and other text-heavy books. The €179 Verta Color is worth considering for illustrated books, comics, and magazines, provided you’re comfortable with muted colors and 150 PPI color resolution.
Price: €179 (US$200)
Where to Buy: PocketBook
The €10/$11 difference makes color an inexpensive option, not an automatic upgrade. Both models are expected in November 2026.
