Supernote A5 X2 Manta Review: A Digital Notebook Built for the Long Haul

In a world flooded with E Ink tablets promising distraction-free productivity, the Supernote A5 X2 Manta quietly positions itself as a serious contender—not with flashy features, but with thoughtful engineering and long-term utility. It's not just a device; it's an intentional philosophy wrapped in a sleek, paper-like slab.This review dives into the experience of using the Supernote Manta after several weeks of real-world use—from its unique modular design to its tactile writing experience—and why it might just be the digital notebook you've been searching for.

Writing Experience: The Joy of the Page, Without the Paper

At the heart of the Supernote Manta is its 10.7-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display, boasting 300 PPI resolution. But specs alone don’t tell the full story. The real magic happens thanks to the FeelWrite 2 soft film, which mimics the slight give and texture of premium notebook paper. The result? A deeply satisfying writing experience that feels more natural than the cold scratchiness of many glass-based competitors.Pair it with Supernote’s Heart of Metal Pen 2, and you have one of the most authentic digital handwriting experiences on the market. Unlike the Apple Pencil or reMarkable stylus, the Manta’s ceramic nib glides with precision yet enough resistance to give a real sense of control—like writing with a favorite gel pen on thick, creamy paper.

Software: Simple, Purposeful, and Surprisingly Capable

The Supernote runs on Chauvet, a custom fork of Android 11. While it’s not designed to run your favorite apps or multitask like a full Android tablet, Chauvet excels in what it’s meant to do: note-taking, journaling, document management, and light productivity.Highlights include:

• Handwriting-to-text conversion that's accurate enough for meeting notes or daily journaling.
• Notebook templates and layering tools for creatives and planners.
• Cross-device sync via Supernote Cloud and third-party services like Dropbox.
• A custom drawing app (Atelier) with brushes, markers, and layers—ideal for sketching or annotating PDFs.

There is a basic virtual keyboard, but it’s not meant for typing long documents. That said, the focus here is very much on handwriting—and it delivers.

Software: Simple, Purposeful, and Surprisingly Capable

The Supernote runs on Chauvet, a custom fork of Android 11. While it’s not designed to run your favorite apps or multitask like a full Android tablet, Chauvet excels in what it’s meant to do: note-taking, journaling, document management, and light productivity.Highlights include:

• Handwriting-to-text conversion that's accurate enough for meeting notes or daily journaling.
• Notebook templates and layering tools for creatives and planners.
• Cross-device sync via Supernote Cloud and third-party services like Dropbox.
• A custom drawing app (Atelier) with brushes, markers, and layers—ideal for sketching or annotating PDFs.

There is a basic virtual keyboard, but it’s not meant for typing long documents. That said, the focus here is very much on handwriting—and it delivers.

Modularity: A Rare and Refreshing Approach

One of the Manta’s standout features is its modular hardware design. This means users can eventually replace the battery, upgrade the motherboard, or expand storage via microSD (up to 2TB)—an almost unheard-of level of flexibility in this product category.This design philosophy suggests something rare in modern tech: a device meant to last. The Manta is less of a gadget and more of a companion—a notebook you can keep for years and evolve with over time.

What’s Missing?

No device is perfect. Here are a few things to consider:

• No front light: Unlike most e-readers, the Manta lacks a built-in light, making it harder to use in low-light conditions.
• Limited ecosystem: There are fewer integrations or "apps" than on devices like the Boox Note or Kindle Scribe.
• Price: Starting around $500 USD, the Manta isn’t cheap—and you'll likely want to add a pen and folio, pushing the total closer to $600+.

Still, if you're looking for quality over quantity and long-term value over trendy features, these may be acceptable trade-offs.

Who Is It For?

The Supernote Manta is perfect for:

• Writers and Journalers: If you value the feel of handwriting and want to ditch paper notebooks, this is an ideal daily driver.
• Professionals and Planners: The organization tools and note export features make it great for meetings, ideation, and task management.
• Minimalists: If you want a distraction-free, analog-feeling device with digital convenience, look no further.
• Tinkerers and Long-Term Thinkers: The modular hardware offers unmatched longevity in the e-note space.

Final Verdict

The Supernote A5 X2 Manta doesn’t try to do everything—and that’s its greatest strength. Instead of chasing the spec race, it focuses on offering a refined, long-lasting, and highly personal writing experience.For those who take notes seriously—who believe in the power of pen and paper but crave digital organization—the Manta is a compelling choice. It’s not just a device. It’s a notebook reimagined for the future.Rating: 9/10