Amazon recently unveiled its refreshed Kindle lineup, introducing a new basic Kindle, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft. The new Kindle Colorsoft starts at $290, while the Signature Edition costs $320. The base model comes with 16GB of storage, whereas the Signature Edition doubles that capacity to 32GB and is available in graphite or a maroon-like Fig finish with an aluminum back. Amazon first brought color to its Kindle lineup in 2024 with the launch of the original Colorsoft. This latest hardware iteration is lighter and thinner than its predecessor and features an edge-to-edge display.
Key takeaways
- The Kindle Colorsoft starts at $290, with the 32GB Signature Edition priced at $320.
- The device features a 7-inch color E-Ink display with 300ppi resolution for black-and-white content and 150ppi for color.
- Battery life reaches up to eight weeks on a single charge.
- Amazon has repositioned the power button to the top-right edge to prevent accidental presses.
Display performance and reading experience
For those who already own the first-generation Colorsoft, there is little reason to upgrade because the core reading experience remains largely the same. Both models feature a 7-inch color E-Ink display, 300ppi resolution for black-and-white content, and 150ppi for color. However, if you have been eyeing a color e-reader, the new Colorsoft is worth considering despite its hefty price tag. Unlike standard Kindles that display everything in black and white, the Colorsoft brings digital bookshelves to life with original colors, making it appealing for comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, and color-coded text highlighting.
Colors on the Colorsoft remain relatively muted and lack the vibrancy of an iPad display, but they still add a welcome splash of color compared to standard black-and-white e-readers. The hardware lets users adjust the screen color temperature to a warmer, yellow-toned display for nighttime reading, alongside an auto-adjusting brightness option. Furthermore, the screen requires infrequent refreshing and avoids the noticeable ghosting where text from previous pages lingers on the screen, a common issue on other e-readers. The waterproof build also allows users to read safely by the pool or in the bath without worrying about accidental spills.
Hardware refinements and battery life
Amazon states that the Colorsoft can last up to eight weeks on a single charge, which is shorter than the up to 12 weeks offered by the Paperwhite, but still provides substantial longevity compared to typical everyday electronics. A small yet welcome physical improvement is the repositioned power button. On the previous generation, the button sat on the bottom of the device next to the charging port, leading to accidental presses during handling. On this model, Amazon moved it to the top-right edge, offering a more intuitive power control experience.
The Signature Edition includes an aluminum back that provides a premium feel, holding up well over weeks of testing. While the Signature Edition supports a magnetic cover with built-in page-turn buttons that connects to pogo pins on the back, testers noted that the biggest drawback remains its high cost. For readers who do not specifically need a color display, standard options like the basic Kindle or Paperwhite, starting at $169.99 and $199.99 respectively, offer more practical alternatives.
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