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Is the Kobo Clara BW Gone for Good? U.S. Readers Are Wondering
So, whatโs going on with the Kobo Clara BW? If youโve been trying to get your hands on one in the U.S., youโve probably noticedโitโs nowhere to be found. Itโs still up for grabs in Canada and the UK, but in the U.S., itโs been out of stock for over a month. And to make things even more suspicious, its Amazon product page has disappeared entirely. Naturally, people are starting to ask: Is Kobo quietly pulling the plug on the Clara BW?
Some think itโs just a supply chain hiccup, but others suspect something biggerโmaybe Kobo is shifting focus to the Clara Colour, which seems to be selling better. That theory isnโt too far-fetched, considering the color model has racked up over 20% more reviews on Koboโs own site. Plus, color e-readers are definitely having a moment (just look at deals like the Kindle Colorsoft Sale, which shows how much buzz there is around color displays).
If Kobo really is phasing out the Clara BW, it wouldnโt be the first time theyโve suddenly retired a device. Remember the Kobo Mini? Or the Kobo Aura One? Both were discontinued without much warning. Itโs a pattern weโve seen before, not just with Kobo but across the e-reader marketโolder models often make way for newer, flashier tech.
So, what does this mean for you if you were hoping to grab a Clara BW? Well, unless Kobo makes an official announcement, thereโs no way to know for sure if itโs gone for good or just temporarily out of stock. If youโre set on getting one, you might want to check international retailers while they still have inventory. Or, if youโre open to exploring alternatives, the AiPaper Mini could be worth a lookโitโs got an 8.2โ E Ink screen and runs Android 13, which is pretty appealing for a modern e-reader.
And hey, if the Clara BW is going away, it might not be so bad. There are some new e-readers that will come in 2025. They could be even better. It could be good to watch what comes next.