New Kindle Paperwhite arrives on Nov. 7 for $130 with slimmer design, full waterproofing, Bluetooth

When Amazon updates its Hearth tablets and e-readers, it sometimes calls even minimally up to date variations “all-new.” However this time its all-new Kindle Paperwhite E Ink e-reader actually matches the invoice. It ships Nov. 7 and begins at $130 or $10 greater than the worth of the previous Kindle Paperwhite. (The UK beginning worth stays at £120. We do not have worth and availability for Australia but.)

That 2015 mannequin shared the identical chassis as its 2013 predecessor, however the brand new Kindle Paperwhite is 10 % thinner and lighter, measuring eight.18mm thick and weighing 182 grams. The opposite main design distinction is that it does not have the raised bezel of its predecessor and as an alternative has a “flush-front” design with a again product of a softer, grippy materials, not onerous plastic.

There are another adjustments. Most notably the Paperwhite is now totally waterproof just like the high-end Kindle Oasis and has a plastic display screen that Amazon says is extremely shatter-resistant and scratch-resistant. Whereas it is extra sturdy than the previous Paperwhite and may survive small drops, concern not: Amazon will nonetheless be blissful to promote you a case to guard it — they begin at $30. 

After enjoying round briefly with new Paperwhite, I can say that total efficiency appears similar to that of the earlier Paperwhite. It has the identical sharp 6-inch, 300 ppi touchscreen E Ink show that is readable in direct daylight. It additionally has the identical battery life: You will get round six weeks of studying on a single cost with “regular” use.

Textual content appeared crisp on the display screen however I did not have the earlier mannequin available to match the 2 screens and decide whether or not the brand new display screen design has any impression on distinction or transparency.

This new mannequin has 5 LEDs for lighting the display screen as an alternative of 4 — the LEDs are on the prime of the system — which provides a bit of brightness. However once more, I can not inform you but simply how a lot better the lighting scheme is or is not. 

The Oasis already added wi-fi Bluetooth connectivity for listening to Audible audiobooks over Bluetooth headphones or audio system, and now the Paperwhite has Bluetooth for Audible listening, too. You may simply change between e-book and audiobook, as they sync to the purpose within the e-book the place you left off, however do not anticipate to make use of the Kindle as a music or podcast participant — it is strictly for audiobooks.

Whereas Amazon does not seem to have upgraded the Paperwhite’s processor or RAM, it has upgraded the built-in storage, doubling it from 4GB to 8GB. Additionally new to the Paperwhite line are step-up fashions that characteristic 32GB of storage. That is overkill for e-books, however the area will likely be welcome for audiobook followers.

As earlier than, you’ll be able to select from 10 totally different fonts, 16 font sizes and 5 boldness settings. However what’s new is the power to avoid wasting customized settings for your self or varied members of your loved ones who prefer to learn with totally different font sizes. On prime of that, there are some preset choices to select from. The “gymnasium” setting, for example, is a fast approach to soar to a much bigger, bolder font. Moreover, there is a new dwelling display screen that provides extra layers of Amazon suggestions primarily based in your studying habits, in addition to ideas for brand new options to strive. 

Amazon says the up to date dwelling expertise, in addition to the power to shortly save and entry studying settings, will likely be delivered as a free, over-the-air replace to the all-new Kindle Paperwhite, the sixth-gen Paperwhite (launched in 2013) and newer Kindle units “within the coming weeks.”

No Alexa but

Amazon hasn’t managed to combine Alexa voice management right into a Kindle but, however with the marginally trimmer design, full waterproofing, Bluetooth and elevated reminiscence it is a fairly satisfying improve. The Kindle Oasis, which prices practically twice as a lot, has a much bigger, 7-inch display screen, however the two units weigh nearly the identical and now have very related options. It makes you wonder if the Oasis is not due for an improve — or worth drop — which may provide you with extra of a cause to purchase it past the bigger display screen. 

Word that the entry-level Kindle, which does not provide an illuminated display screen, stays accessible for $80, £60 or AU$109. And in order for you a non-Amazon various, Walmart is ramping up its providing of Kobo readers, and the Barnes & Noble Nook continues to be alive, too — though it supposedly solely has a 2 % market share. 

As famous, the brand new Paperwhite begins at $130 for the Wi-Fi-only model. It jumps to $160 for the 32GB model and $250 for the 32GB model with mobile. For a restricted time, Amazon is together with six months of its subscription studying service, Kindle Unlimited, free of charge (it usually prices $10 a month). The service provides you entry to one million e-book titles and 1000’s of Audible audiobooks.  

I will have a full assessment shortly earlier than it ships in November. Within the meantime, this is a refresh of the important thing specs of the brand new 2018 Kindle Paperwhite:

• 6-inch 300 ppi E Ink show
• 182 grams (6.four ounces)
• eight.18mm thick
• IPX8 waterproof ranking to guard in opposition to immersion in as much as 2 meters of contemporary water for as much as 60 minutes
• Drop-resistant design with extremely shatter-resistant flush-front plastic touch-screen display screen show
• 8GB of built-in reminiscence (earlier mannequin had 4GB)
• Step-up variations with 32GB of reminiscence
• 5-LED lighting system (earlier mannequin had 4)
• Bluetooth for listening to Audible audiobooks (no music streaming)
• Round six weeks of studying on a single cost with “regular” use (identical as earlier mannequin)
• $130 (£120) for the Wi-Fi-only model with Particular Gives ($10 greater than earlier mannequin)
• $160 (£150) for the 32GB model 
• $250 (£220) for the 32GB model with mobile
• For a restricted time, Amazon is together with six months of its subscription studying service, Kindle Unlimited, free of charge (it usually prices $10 a month)