This sits in our Supernote hub. For the current model that replaced it, see our Supernote Manta review.
The device
What the Supernote A5 X is
The Supernote A5 X, sometimes written A5X, is the device that put Supernote on the map. Released in 2020 by Ratta, it is a 10.3-inch monochrome e-ink notebook built on the same idea the brand still follows: the best possible writing feel, on a closed, focused device with no app store. It has a flexible Mobius Carta screen at 1404 by 1872, a 226 ppi sharpness, no frontlight, and Supernote’s ceramic-nib pen and Chauvet software.
The important thing to know in 2026 is that the A5 X is discontinued. Supernote no longer sells it new; it has been replaced by the A5 X2, which the company markets as the Manta. So if you are shopping for a “Supernote A5X” today, you are really choosing between a used original and a new successor, and this guide is here to make that call clear.
Old vs new
Supernote A5 X vs A5 X2 Manta
The A5 X2 Manta is a straight generational upgrade over the A5 X, and the spec sheet shows exactly how far the line has moved in a few years. Same writing philosophy, meaningfully better hardware.
| Spec | A5 X (2020) | A5 X2 Manta (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued (used only) | Sold new |
| Screen | 10.3″ mono, no light | 10.7″ mono, no light |
| Resolution | 1404×1872, 226 ppi | 1920×2560, 300 ppi |
| Panel | Mobius Carta | Flexible Mobius Carta 1300, newer |
| Chip / memory | 1.3 GHz quad-core, 2 GB | RK3566, 4 GB |
| Weight | ~380 g | ~375 g |
| Battery | 3800 mAh | 3600 mAh |
| Build | Sealed, non-modular | Modular, replaceable battery |
| Price | Used market only | $505 |
The jump from 226 to 300 ppi is the most visible upgrade: text and fine handwriting look noticeably crisper on the Manta. The doubling of memory to 4GB makes the newer device smoother in daily use, and the move to a modular, repairable body is the biggest long-term difference, since the Manta is built to have its battery replaced while the A5 X is not. Everything that made the A5 X good, the pen feel, the focus, the Chauvet software, carries forward and improves.
Buying
Should you buy a Supernote A5 X in 2026?
For most people, no. Because the A5 X is discontinued, buying one means the used market, with no warranty and an aging, non-replaceable battery, which is a real risk on a device this old. You would be paying for hardware a generation behind purely to save money, and the saving has to be large to justify the compromises.
There is one case where a used A5 X makes sense: you specifically want the cheapest possible entry into Supernote’s writing experience, you have found one in good condition at a low price, and you accept that the battery cannot be swapped. In that narrow case, the A5 X still delivers the core Supernote feel. For everyone else, a new device is the safer money, and there are two obvious options depending on the size you want.
Today
The current A5-size Supernote
If you want the A5-size Supernote that the A5 X grew into, that is the A5 X2 Manta: 10.7 inches, sharper, repairable, and sold new $505. If you would rather have something smaller and cheaper, Supernote also makes the compact 7.8-inch Nomad from $329, which shares the same software and pen. Either is a better long-term buy than a used original, and both drop straight into a planner workflow with the right templates.
FAQ
Common questions, answered briefly
Is the Supernote A5 X still available?
What is the difference between the Supernote A5 X and A5 X2?
Is the Supernote A5 X worth buying used?
Does the Supernote A5 X have a frontlight?
People also ask
Other questions, briefly answered
Still running an A5 X, or weighing a used one against a new Manta? Tell us in the comments how the old model is holding up, especially the battery, and whether the upgrade tempted you. We keep this guide current as the Supernote lineup evolves.
