Amazon introduces new Kindle Paperwhite, Colorsoft and entry-level models

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Amazon has launched new Kindles across all models, and they feature new designs and colors. The company has completely removed the recessed screen from the entry-level Kindle, giving all versions a flush screen with colors that wrap seamlessly all around its body. Amazon says the new 6-inch Kindle is the “most compact” Kindle ever made.

It measures 6.8mm thick, a millimeter thinner than its predecessor, and weighs only 140 grams. The device can last six weeks on a single charge and is 30% faster when it comes to opening books compared to the previous entry-level e-reader. You’ll get 16GB of storage with the base Kindle, which will cost you at least $150 with lock screen ads and will be available in Ube (named after a Philippine purple yam) and Graphite.

The entry-level Kindle will also be available in another variant with an aluminum back. Amazon says it has a “premium feel,” but it costs 20 grams more than its non-aluminum sibling. This e-reader has 32GB of storage, double that of the most basic Kindle, and will be available in Alpine Sky Aluminum and Seaglass Green Aluminum.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Meanwhile, the new Kindle Paperwhite is thinner and lighter than before, but it can last up to 12 weeks on a single charge. It has 16GB of storage, is still waterproof, and comes with an adjustable warm light. Amazon claims to have the largest screen and highest contrast ratio of all its Paperwhites, allowing you to read better in bright sunlight. The new Paperwhite, available in graphite, will cost you $200 and up. For about $50 more, you can get the new Paperwhite Signature Edition, which has an aluminum spine, 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting lights, and the ability to double-tap to turn pages. It will be available in graphite and Seaglass Green.

Amazon

Finally, Amazon redesigned the new Kindle Colorsoft’s screen to feature edge-to-edge color and improve its clarity. You can get the base Colorsoft Kindle with 16GB of storage for $290 in Graphite. The new Colorsoft Signature Edition comes with an aluminum body and, like the Paperwhite, has 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting front lighting, a charging dock, and the ability to turn pages with a double tap. It is available in graphite and fig for a minimum price of $320.

All three will have Kids versions with kid-friendly covers and a subscription to Amazon Kids+ for prices starting at $180. The entry-level Kindle and its aluminum version are available today in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Australia. The new Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft will be available for pre-order in the same regions.

During a hands-on session in New York, our editor Cherlynn Low was able to preview all the new Kindles. In addition to the photos you see in this article, she shared the following impressions:

“It’s one thing to admire the sight of the new colorful Kindles, especially this ube color option, which looks good in real life. But it’s quite a different thing when you pick them up to get a feel for the aluminum casing of the Signature Editions and the texture of the plastic models. It’s been a minute since I’ve fondled a bunch of Kindles, and the ones I have at home have a smoother finish. Something about the texture of the paint on the Kindle ube was noticeably distinct. It’s a bit more scratchy than smooth, like less gritty sandpaper.

This could just be something unique to the particular unit during the demo session, and I’m sure it won’t be long before we know if this is a feature of all new entry-level Kindles. Amazon said this generation’s soft-touch paint is similar to its predecessor, so it’s entirely possible I just noticed it for the first time.

The signature edition models I purchased were cool, thin and light. When I flipped through pages and jumped from books to the home page, the devices seemed responsive. I placed the Paperwhite and Colorsoft aluminum units in the Page-Turn-Cover that Amazon is also announcing today, and quickly pressed the buttons to flip through the pages. The devices refreshed quickly and I didn’t notice any lag.”