The Supernote Manta earns praise for its lightweight, flexible design and intuitive writing experience, with reviewers highlighting its 375g weight and Mobius Carta e-ink screen as key advantages. ewritable.net called it a 'mindful place for your thoughts' and noted its 'tasteful' construction. While it lacks features like frontlight and fast refresh rates found in competitors, users report it excels in daily use for note-taking, journaling, and task management. The half-folio cover design keeps it light even when closed, though some reviewers noted it may expose the rear panel to damage. It's best suited for users prioritizing portability and writing flow over advanced features.
Full review
Pen-like writing experience
The Supernote Manta delivers an authentic pen-writing experience that sets it apart from other e-ink tablets. According to overkill.wtf, the 'FeelWrite 2' screen provides a sensation that feels like writing on a soft leather-bound notebook with just the right amount of give and texture. The device's screen uses a Mobius Carta e-ink panel, which is more flexible than standard Carta panels, offering a micro-flex with each stroke that makes writing feel natural and close to paper. This is achieved without a backlight, which reduces parallax—the distance between the pen tip and the digital ink line. The minimal parallax ensures that the ink appears to come straight from the pen, creating a seamless writing experience. The LAMY Safari Vista EMR Pen, which is nearly perfect for this device, features a ceramic tip that provides durability without scratching other screens, though it's not compatible with other Wacom EMR-capable devices.
Lou Franco noted that the Manta's writing experience is so convincing that it makes other tablets feel inferior after use. The device's design intentionally omits a backlight to maintain this realistic feel, which comes at the cost of usability in darker environments. IT Pro found that the LAMY safari vista EMR Pen included with the device sits comfortably in the hand and glides across the screen with just enough friction to feel like using a rollerball pen on crisp paper. The ceramic tip of the pen ensures longevity, as it never wears out unlike traditional nibs used in competing devices like the ReMarkable Paper Pro and Kindle Scribe. This durability makes the pen cost-effective over time, as there are no refill costs or waste produced.
Lightweight and portable design
The Supernote Manta stands out for its lightweight construction, weighing only 375g, making it one of the lightest tablets in its class. This weight advantage is maintained even when the tablet is enclosed in its official half-folio cover, which is lighter than dual-panel covers used by other manufacturers. The half-folio design consists of a single panel that protects the screen when closed and the rear when open, contributing to the overall lightness of the device. According to ewritable.net, the plastic chassis not only contributes to the tablet's light weight but also makes it feel less cold to the touch compared to metallic shells. The plastic construction also provides durability, as evidenced by the device's ability to withstand daily use in a rucksack without visible damage after months of continuous use.
The Manta's design prioritizes portability without compromising on functionality. The half-folio cover not only protects the screen but also contributes to the device's overall lightweight profile. The tablet's dimensions and weight make it easy to carry around and hold with one hand while writing. Gear43 highlighted that the Manta's thinness is particularly impressive given its screen size, which is 10.7 inches diagonally. This design choice makes the device suitable for users who value portability but still need a large enough screen for detailed note-taking and drawing.
Battery performance and longevity
Battery life on the Supernote Manta is exceptional, with IT Pro reporting that it took hours of continuous note-taking to drain the battery to 30%. The battery's slow drain rate is attributed to the device's efficient hardware and software integration, as well as its minimalist operating system that avoids unnecessary power consumption. The device can fully charge from 0% in approximately 90 minutes, which is relatively quick for a tablet of this size and capacity.
Lou Franco emphasized that the Manta's battery performance exceeded expectations, with the device lasting for days of heavy use. The battery's longevity is particularly beneficial for users who travel frequently or work in environments where charging opportunities are limited. The device's ability to maintain a charge for extended periods without requiring frequent recharging makes it ideal for professionals who need reliable note-taking capabilities throughout long workdays or travel periods. The replaceable battery design also allows users to extend the device's lifespan by replacing the battery when needed.
Operating system and software limitations
The Supernote Manta runs on a custom Android-based OS called Chauvet, which is intentionally locked down to prevent users from installing apps from the Google Play Store. This minimal approach to software restricts the device to built-in applications like Notes, Docs, Email, To-Do, and Calendar, which technically sync with Outlook and Gmail but often lack robust functionality. Lou Franco noted that the on-screen keyboard is terrible and makes file management frustrating, particularly when trying to rename files or organize notes. The file manager is bare-bones, and the lack of folder navigation during note creation makes it difficult to maintain an organized system of documents.
The OS also presents challenges with gesture recognition, particularly with the lasso feature, which requires a two-finger gesture along with stylus input. Lou Franco reported that the lasso function is unreliable and often results in the stylus drawing shapes instead of selecting objects. Additionally, the inability to easily rename files or navigate folders within the note creation process creates a frustrating user experience. While the device supports sideloading, the process is not user-friendly and can be challenging for less tech-savvy users. The lack of a browser and social media apps aligns with the device's minimalist philosophy but also limits its versatility for users who need web access.
File management and document organization
File management on the Supernote Manta presents significant challenges for users who need to organize large volumes of documents. Lou Franco noted that the device's file manager is bare-bones and lacks intuitive folder navigation. The inability to see folders or other files when creating a new note makes it difficult to maintain a structured document system. Users often end up with randomly named files, which becomes problematic as the number of documents increases. The device's lack of a proper file renaming feature makes it frustrating to organize documents efficiently. This issue is particularly pronounced for users who rely on structured note-taking systems or need to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
The device's file management system also struggles with the lasso feature, which requires a two-finger gesture along with stylus input. Lou Franco reported that this function is unreliable and often results in the stylus drawing shapes instead of selecting objects. The device's inability to easily rename files or navigate folders during note creation creates a frustrating user experience. The lack of a browser and social media apps aligns with the device's minimalist philosophy but also limits its versatility for users who need web access. Users who require advanced document organization features may find the Manta's limitations restrictive.
Screen quality and visibility
The Supernote Manta's screen presents both advantages and disadvantages in terms of visibility and reading comfort. IT Pro noted that while the screen provides an incredibly realistic pen feel, it also means that in darker environments users face the disadvantages of a normal journal. The screen's surface can be reflective, causing issues with visibility under bright lighting conditions. Gear43 reported that screen reflection is annoying, particularly when using the device outdoors or in well-lit rooms.
The screen's darkness compared to normal paper is another notable characteristic. While this contributes to the realistic writing experience, it can make reading difficult for some users. The screen's design prioritizes the pen-writing experience over reading comfort, which may not suit all users. The lack of backlight also means that the device cannot be used effectively in bed or in dimly lit environments. Users who frequently read while lying down or in low-light settings may find the Manta's limitations restrictive. The screen's surface can also be prone to scratches, particularly with frequent use, though the plastic construction offers some protection.
Cost and value proposition
The Supernote Manta's pricing is notably high, with This pricing makes the device significantly more expensive than competing tablets in the market. The high cost is justified by the device's premium features, such as the realistic pen feel, lightweight design, and durable construction. However, the value proposition is questionable for users who don't prioritize the specific writing experience or who need more advanced software features.
Gear43 noted that while the Manta is expensive, it might be worth the investment for users who want the best digital notebook experience. The device's durability and long battery life provide good value for money, especially for frequent travelers or professionals who need reliable note-taking capabilities. The ceramic pen's longevity also adds value over time, as there are no refill costs or waste produced. However, the device's limitations in terms of software features and file management may not justify the premium price for all users.
Strengths
- +Lightweight design at 375g, making it easy to carry and hold with one hand
- +Uses flexible Mobius Carta e-ink panel for durability and lightweight feel
- +Intuitive navigation and fast, seamless writing experience
- +Modular half-folio cover design that keeps the device light even when closed
Watch-outs
- −No frontlight for screen illumination in low-light conditions
- −Lacks proprietary technology for fast refresh rates and app performance
How it compares
The Supernote Manta excels in portability and writing flow with its lightweight design and flexible screen, unlike the reMarkable Paper Pro which offers a more robust color display and subscription-based storage. Compared to the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, it lacks a front light and color capabilities but provides a more distraction-free writing experience.
Rating sources
“My Current Daily Driver is the SUPERNOTE MANTA... one of the most frequent questions I get asked, is why I choose the Supernote A5X2 Manta as my daily driver.”
“This isn't just another Android tablet with an e-ink screen strapped to it — it's a machine for thinking.”
“It has delivered on all of these requirements, but there are some disappointments...the on-screen keyboard is terrible.”
“the Supernote A5 X2 Manta might just be the best digital notebook that Ive ever used.”
Our 4.1 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above; 2 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
