Buy the Sage?

gillesit · 01-28-2026, 06:24 PM

Hi, I still use an Aura ONE I bought in November 2016. I don't read much, but the battery now needs more frequent charging, and I notice it's gradually degrading. I can still read without frequent charging, but I don't know for how long. I'm planning on replacing my e-reader and was thinking about buying the Sage, which is still available in Italy. Do you recommend buying it or waiting for a new 8-inch Kobo model? I think I can use my Aura One for a few months. Thanks.

Sirtel · 01-28-2026, 06:53 PM

No one knows if Kobo intends to release a new 8" model at all. So it's difficult to recommend anything.

OTOH, the Sage requires fairly frequent charging even when new, so if you don't want to do that for the next several years, you should wait.

xyzzy_foo · 01-29-2026, 08:43 PM

The Kobo Sage's battery life is really bad, but it's still a great device. It's so good that I'm considering purchasing a spare while they're still in stock in Japan.

If Rakuten Kobo would release a new 8' BW device, then that wouldn't be necessary, but nobody knows except for Rakuten Kobo and God.

DNSB · 01-29-2026, 09:56 PM

For what it may be worth, I picked up a second Kobo Sage. Yes, the battery life is not as good as other eInk devices. However, considering the number of other devices I have that require much more frequent charging (phone, smart watch, Android tablet, etc.), I'm not that unhappy with my Sages' battery life and my old eyes like that I can increase the font size without reducing the amount of text on screen to risible levels.

Since my original Sage has shown a shorter battery life, I have ordered a PR-158098N 1500mAh battery for it. One friend of mine used that battery to replace the 1200mAh original battery in their Sage and after a couple of cycles to calibrate the battery gauge, they are noticing the battery life is ~20% better than when their Sage was new.

Dr. Drib · Yesterday, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

For what it may be worth, I picked up a second Kobo Sage. Yes, the battery life is not as good as other eInk devices. However, considering the number of other devices I have that require much more frequent charging (phone, smart watch, Android tablet, etc.), I'm not that unhappy with my Sages' battery life and my old eyes like that I can increase the font size without reducing the amount of text on screen to risible levels.

Since my original Sage has shown a shorter battery life, I have ordered a PR-158098N 1500mAh battery for it. One friend of mine used that battery to replace the 1200mAh original battery in their Sage and after a couple of cycles to calibrate the battery gauge, they are noticing the battery life is ~20% better than when their Sage was new.

I'm curious: Was your friend able to replace the battery without incurring cosmetic damage to the Sage? Also, does the battery actually fit in the designated area of the Sage and allow the front and back to close?

So, apparently, Italy and Japan still have some in stock?

Thanks.

Quoth · Yesterday, 09:04 AM

The Sage opens easily, but take care so as to not damage the ribbon to the PCB for the power cover (IMO a stupid idea).

I opened one, but didn't change the LiPoly Cell. I posted a photo somewhere here.

DNSB · Yesterday, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I'm curious: Was your friend able to replace the battery without incurring cosmetic damage to the Sage? Also, does the battery actually fit in the designated area of the Sage and allow the front and back to close?

So, apparently, Italy and Japan still have some in stock?

Thanks.

The battery is the same size as the current battery. The 158098 in the name is the dimensions of the battery so 1.5mm x 80mm x 98mm though the thickness seems more than 1.5mm.

Opening the Sage is about as easy as opening most Kobo ereaders but as pointed out in the previous message, be careful to avoid damaging the ribbon cables.

Dr. Drib · Yesterday, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The battery is the same size as the current battery. The 158098 in the name is the dimensions of the battery so 1.5mm x 80mm x 98mm though the thickness seems more than 1.5mm.

Opening the Sage is about as easy as opening most Kobo ereaders but as pointed out in the previous message, be careful to avoid damaging the ribbon cables.

Thank you for the info.

enuddleyarbl · Yesterday, 07:52 PM

Is the battery easily replaced (i.e., unplug one and plug in the other)? Or, is there soldering involved?

DNSB · Yesterday, 09:13 PM

The battery has two leads that are soldered to the motherboard. To me, it was a relatively easy task to remove the old battery (ran dental floss under the battery to cut through the adhesive), desolder the leads, install the new battery, solder the leads and close the patient up.

JSWolf · Today, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The battery has two leads that are soldered to the motherboard. To me, it was a relatively easy task to remove the old battery (ran dental floss under the battery to cut through the adhesive), desolder the leads, install the new battery, solder the leads and close the patient up.

I'm not good as soldering/desoldering. However, I have someone available who can do this for me if I ever need it.

However, I do hope Kobo releases a new BW 7" or 8" Reader before I'd need one.

01-28-2026, 06:24 PM	#1
gillesit Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 8788 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Italy Device: Pocketbook 912 - Kobo AuraOne	Buy the Sage? Hi, I still use an Aura ONE I bought in November 2016. I don't read much, but the battery now needs more frequent charging, and I notice it's gradually degrading. I can still read without frequent charging, but I don't know for how long. I'm planning on replacing my e-reader and was thinking about buying the Sage, which is still available in Italy. Do you recommend buying it or waiting for a new 8-inch Kobo model? I think I can use my Aura One for a few months. Thanks.

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01-28-2026, 06:53 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,565 Karma: 245020905 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	No one knows if Kobo intends to release a new 8" model at all. So it's difficult to recommend anything. OTOH, the Sage requires fairly frequent charging even when new, so if you don't want to do that for the next several years, you should wait.

01-29-2026, 08:43 PM	#3
xyzzy_foo Zealot Posts: 137 Karma: 637454 Join Date: Apr 2025 Location: Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan Device: Kindle Oasis (10th Generation), Kobo Sage, BOOX Go 7	The Kobo Sage's battery life is really bad, but it's still a great device. It's so good that I'm considering purchasing a spare while they're still in stock in Japan. If Rakuten Kobo would release a new 8' BW device, then that wouldn't be necessary, but nobody knows except for Rakuten Kobo and God.

01-29-2026, 09:56 PM	#4
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 49,913 Karma: 178398936 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	For what it may be worth, I picked up a second Kobo Sage. Yes, the battery life is not as good as other eInk devices. However, considering the number of other devices I have that require much more frequent charging (phone, smart watch, Android tablet, etc.), I'm not that unhappy with my Sages' battery life and my old eyes like that I can increase the font size without reducing the amount of text on screen to risible levels. Since my original Sage has shown a shorter battery life, I have ordered a PR-158098N 1500mAh battery for it. One friend of mine used that battery to replace the 1200mAh original battery in their Sage and after a couple of cycles to calibrate the battery gauge, they are noticing the battery life is ~20% better than when their Sage was new.

Yesterday, 09:04 AM	#6
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,295 Karma: 113000119 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	The Sage opens easily, but take care so as to not damage the ribbon to the PCB for the power cover (IMO a stupid idea). I opened one, but didn't change the LiPoly Cell. I posted a photo somewhere here.

Yesterday, 07:52 PM	#9
enuddleyarbl Guru Posts: 806 Karma: 1538536 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kobo Sage	Is the battery easily replaced (i.e., unplug one and plug in the other)? Or, is there soldering involved?

Yesterday, 09:13 PM	#10
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 49,913 Karma: 178398936 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	The battery has two leads that are soldered to the motherboard. To me, it was a relatively easy task to remove the old battery (ran dental floss under the battery to cut through the adhesive), desolder the leads, install the new battery, solder the leads and close the patient up.