[DrMoze]

I picked up a 300 early last fall (after using a 505 for 1.5 years or so) and haven't gone back to my 505. Love the 505 and found no real change in reading experience on the 300. And you CAN pocket it very easily--I do all the time. The screen size is not that different: 5/6 the characters per line, 5/6 the lines per page compared with the 505 for the same ebook.

As someone else mentioned, a smartphone is NOTHING like an ebook reader w/e-ink screen. And the 300 screen is MUCH closer to the 505 than to a smartphone! Probably don't need to convince you of anything here.

To correct richman above, the 300 most certainly IS hackable. Mine has the clock display, is russified, has the 7/8 buttons for page turns and 5/6 buttons for history. VERY convenient.

I also think the 300 is sturdier than the 505, which feels relatively large and thin. The slightly smaller dimensions/screen of the 300 at about the same thickness (maybe 1/16" thicker?) makes it feel more solid. And it is made of metal with an internal frame, doesn't flex at all. (The 505 has a slight flex.) The plastic scuff guard strip around the edge of the 300 is a nice touch imo.