Durobo's Krono is a palm-sized e-ink reader that fits easily in a pocket or bag, measuring just 6.06 by 3.15 inches. Its 6.13-inch, 300ppi display offers sharp text, and a lightweight 173-gram build feels sturdy. However, this minimalism comes at the cost of a frustratingly barebones software experience that feels unpolished compared to established rivals.

The device's most distinctive feature is the Smart Dial on its side, which handles scrolling, brightness, and volume contextually. While the scrolling function is genuinely pleasant, the logic often feels arbitrary. Under the hood, it runs Android 15 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, plus a 3950 mAh battery that lasts about a week. Audio, a stated focus, is terrible.

At $275, the Krono directly competes with the Boox Palma, but falls short. The Palma offers a far more refined, smartphone-adjacent experience with better web browsing out of the box. The Krono's included AI assistant is poorly implemented and largely useless without cloud sync. For anyone wanting a true pocket reader, the Boox remains the clear, more polished choice.