What the New Kindle Lineup Adds: Aluminum Bodies, More Storage, and Page-Turn Buttons
Summary: Learn what changes across Amazon's latest Kindle models, how the Signature Edition connects to a page-turning cover, and which shoppers get the most from the upgrade.
A Refresh That Is Mostly About the Body
Amazon's latest Kindle refresh covers the base Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Colorsoft. According to The Verge, the three models are a millimeter thinner and open books 30 percent faster. The power button has also moved from the bottom edge to the right side near the top.
The materials are the bigger change. The plastic versions arrive in bright new colors with a soft-touch finish. For the first time, Amazon also sells aluminum versions with a higher-end feel. Those aluminum models double the storage to 32GB, compared with 16GB on the plastic versions.
PCMag's hands-on look at the lineup reached a similar conclusion. The new bodies are sleeker, but very little has changed under the hood. The E Ink displays have not been updated at all, and The Verge says the display specifications for the Paperwhite and Colorsoft are unchanged. The base Kindle also still lacks the IPX8 water resistance that the Paperwhite and Colorsoft offer.
The Case That Adds Physical Buttons
The most practical new feature is not on the reader itself. The Verge reports that the Signature Edition Paperwhite and Colorsoft include pogo pins, the small connectors on the device. Those pins link to a new page-turning cover, giving the Kindle physical page-turn buttons. The same connectors also support an optional charging dock.
For anyone who prefers buttons over touchscreen swipes, this accessory solves a long-standing complaint. PCMag calls the accessories the real highlights of this refresh, especially for people who have wanted physical page-turn controls.
Who Should Consider Upgrading
The case for upgrading depends on what matters most. PCMag identifies the $249.99 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition as the more significant upgrade. It gains the aluminum housing and moves from 16GB to 32GB of storage.
Anyone who already owns a recent Paperwhite with a screen they like has less reason to move. The display technology has not changed, and the base model remains non-waterproof. The strongest reasons to switch are the aluminum body, the extra storage, and the new page-turning cover with physical buttons. Preorders for the new Paperwhite and Colorsoft models are open now.