Taiwan's digital reading market is entering a new expansion cycle, fueled by color e-paper adoption, a strengthening local hardware supply chain, and platforms pushing dedicated devices to deepen user engagement across age groups.
A locally built color e-reader emerges
Readmoo has partnered with chipmaker MediaTek and e-paper display leader E Ink Holdings to launch its first smartphone-sized color e-reader, the six-inch mooInk Chill, under a newly formed "Reading Taiwan Team" alliance.
The device integrates MediaTek's 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, a 6.13-inch Kaleido 3 color e-paper panel from E Ink Holdings, Readmoo's proprietary software interface, and local terminal assembly, creating what the company calls an "All in Taiwan" supply chain milestone.
Readmoo CEO Sophie Pang said user demand has consistently centered on portability and eye comfort since the company introduced its first mooInk reader in 2017. The mooInk Chill aims to merge the convenience of a phone-sized device with the low-glare benefits of e-paper.
E Ink Assistant Vice President David Liu noted the two firms' nine-year partnership has anchored Taiwan's digital reading hardware ecosystem, with Kaleido 3 color panels gaining broad acceptance. MediaTek's VP and General Manager of the IoT Business Unit, CK Wang, added that the project marks only the first step in deeper cooperation on future e-reader products. The mooInk Chill will be sold via pre-orders, with shipments starting in mid-May 2026.
Readmoo CEO Sophie Pang. Credit: Digital Panorama
Rakuten Kobo rides the color wave
Market leader Rakuten Kobo continues to benefit from the surge in color e-reader demand. The company now holds more than 50% market share in Taiwan, with color models accounting for over half of its unit sales following their 2024 debut.
General Manager of the Rakuten Kobo Asia Office, Chou Li-han, said Taiwan has become the firm's fastest-growing global market since its 2019 entry, outpacing Japan, North America, and Europe. Core products remain six-inch and seven-inch devices, though seven-inch color models are now selling better due to improved viewing comfort.
Rakuten Kobo expects double-digit shipment growth through 2026 and plans to expand color offerings into larger formats, including eight-inch and 10.3-inch models, which are currently monochrome.
Its supply chain is largely Taiwan-based, with E Ink Holdings providing e-paper materials and Netronix handling manufacturing. Development priorities include thinner designs, longer battery life, faster response speeds, and richer color performance. While color models are gaining momentum, the company believes monochrome devices will retain advantages in contrast and will continue evolving alongside new display technologies.
Rakuten Kobo Asia Office GM Chou Li-han. Credit: DIGITIMES
Platforms push hardware to deepen digital reading habits
Beyond hardware brands, platforms are increasingly using proprietary devices to drive content consumption. Books.com Co. recently unveiled its first child-focused 10.3-inch device, the BooksPad Kids learning reader, at the 2026 Taipei International Book Exhibition.
Positioned as a reading and learning terminal rather than a general entertainment tablet, the device aims to convert screen time into structured study and reading. The strategy comes amid rising concerns over digital distraction, with OECD data showing nearly 60% of students are distracted by devices in class and local surveys indicating Taiwanese children now spend an average of 4.6 hours online daily outside schoolwork.
Books.com's internal data shows that dedicated e-readers significantly boost engagement. Users with reading devices purchase nearly three times more e-books than the platform average. Since launching its first proprietary reader, BooksPad, in 2025, the company has sold more than 13,000 units, driving nearly sevenfold growth in e-reader-related revenue year over year.
The hardware push has also lifted adjacent services. In 2025, Books.com's overall digital reading revenue exceeded NT$400 million (US$12.7 million), up 55% from the previous year. Among BooksPad buyers, 31% were first-time e-book customers, while bundled reading and listening subscriptions jumped around 70%. The company expects the children's device to lift e-book and audiobook sales by another 10% to 20%.
Together, the rise of locally integrated color e-readers, Rakuten Kobo's accelerating shipments, and platform-driven hardware strategies point to a maturing yet still fast-growing digital reading ecosystem in Taiwan.
As color e-paper becomes mainstream and dedicated devices increasingly anchor user habits, Taiwan is positioning itself not only as a key consumer market, but also as a strategic hub for Asia's next generation of digital reading hardware and services.
Article translated by Levi Li and edited by Jerry Chen
