Amazon has revealed five new Kindles, including its first full-color e-ink tablet. The Kindle Colorsoft is a brand-new addition to the lineup, and it’s a potential game changer for fans of comic books and graphic novels. You can already read digital comics on any Kindle reader, but unless it has black-and-white illustrations, you lose a key component of the story. If the Kindle Colorsoft works well, you will be able to read all of your favorite full-color comics, graphic novels, and manga as intended, with the inherit benefits of an e-ink display. It releases October 30 and is available to preorder now for $280.
The Kindle Colorsoft sounds even more appealing when you consider Amazon’s Comixology Unlimited subscription service. Comixology Unlimited offers over 45,000 comics, graphic novels, and manga for $10 per month (after a free 30-day trial). The catalog includes comics and graphic novels published by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, and other leaders in the visual storytelling medium. Kindle Unlimited also has graphic novels and manga, but Amazon’s $12/month flagship reading subscription service has a much larger focus on novels.
The Kindle Colorsoft releases October 30 and is available to preorder now for $280. We’ve rounded up all five of the new Kindles below, including the updated Kindle Scribe with improved note-taking features, a faster version of the ever-popular Kindle Paperwhite in models geared for adults and kids, and an upgraded entry-level Kindle.
Quick look: Amazon’s All-New Kindles
- Preorder Now
- Available Now
$280 | Save 20% with Eligible Trade-In | Releases October 30
The Kindle Colorsoft has a 7-inch full-color display that lasts up to eight weeks on a full charge, which is pretty remarkable for a color e-ink tablet. Designed to be used anywhere, the Colorsoft’s front light will automatically adjust to your surroundings. The high-contrast screen has built-in anti-glare technology to help create the Kindle’s signature paper-like reading experience, just with a full color palette this time around. While reading, you can highlight passages in color, which sounds like a nice little benefit for those who regularly like to revisit to share their favorite sentences.
Amazon has labeled the launch-model Colorsoft a “Signature Edition.” This may sound a bit confusing since it’s the only model available at launch, but Kindle Signature Editions offer a handful of upgrades versus lower-priced models: support for wireless charging, auto-adjusting front light, no ads, and 32GB of storage. Signature Editions also have metallic chassises. The Metallic Black Colorsoft checks all of the Signature Edition boxes.
Amazon says it’s totally safe to read in the bathtub or the pool, as the Colorsoft has an IPX8 water resistance rating. In lab tests, the Colorsoft still functioned after being immersed in 6.5 feet (2 meters) of fresh water for up to 60 minutes. You probably won’t want to bring the Kindle with you in ocean, though, as it’s only graded for three minutes of immersion at less than 0.8 feet (0.25 meters) of depth.
As mentioned, the Colorsoft is especially exciting for fans of comic books, graphic novels, and manga. Being able to read your favorite graphic novels in color on a paper-like display could bring those who have wanted to switch to digital but weren’t keen on the idea of looking at black-and-white illustrations into the ereader community.
At $280, the Colorsoft is cheaper than the Scribe but a good bit pricier than the Paperwhite. Amazon is running one of its generous trade-in promotions for existing Amazon device owners that can save you some serious cash. Trade-in values for your old devices vary, but what doesn’t change is the 20% discount on the Colorsoft. You’ll automatically save $56 plus however much you get for your old device. Click the “Save 20% with Trade-in” banner below the price to instantly see trade-in values for eligible devices. It doesn’t even need to be a Kindle. Other devices, including cheap Fire TV Sticks, can get you the 20%-off deal.
Amazon is also offering a deal on the Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle, which comes with a plant-based leatherette cover and a wireless charging dock/stand for $328. You’re saving $35 by purchasing the bundle compared to buying the Colorsoft and both accessories separately. Cases are available to purchase separately, too. Amazon has fabric protective covers in three color options for $37, while the leatherette covers are $43. That means you’d spend $317 or $323 for the Colorsoft and one of the cases. The Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle is probably the way to go here, as you’ll only spend $5-$11 more to get the charging stand thrown in, too.
Color e-ink has become a trend over the past year. Kobo, Amazon’s biggest competitor, released its own full-color e-ink reader in April. The Kobo Libra Colour has a 7-inch full-color display and 32GB of storage for $220. But switching between brands after years of use is tough, as Amazon and Kobo have unique digital storefronts and file formats. You can’t read Kindle ebooks on Kobo devices and vice-versa.
Most of the color e-ink tablets available now are more comparable to the Kindle Scribe as hybrid readers, note-taking, and productivity devices. For instance, Android e-ink tablet manufacturer Boox has released a few different full-color options, including the 7.8-inch Boox Tab Mini C for $400, the 10.3-inch Note Air 3 C, and the 10.3-inch Tab Ultra C Pro for productivity for $650.
And then there’s reMarkable, the manufacturer behind the most popular note-taking e-ink tablet not made by Amazon, released its own full-color tablet in September. The $629 reMarkable Paper Pro has an 11.8-inch display and is designed to replicate the experience of writing in a notebook.
Perhaps the next iteration of the Kindle Scribe will join the color e-ink party, too. For now, here’s what’s new with the Kindle Scribe and Amazon’s other black-and-white ereaders.
All of the new Kindles are eligible for Amazon’s 20%-off trade-in promotion.
Starting at $400 | Releases December 4
The updated Kindle Scribe now features new white borders, an updated screen with a paper-like texture for an improved writing experience, and a new Active Canvas feature that lets you write notes directly in your books. It comes bundled with the Premium Pen so you can draw, doodle, or jot down reminders during a meeting. It’s large 10.2-inch display is a good size for both reading or writing, and you can even share your files via email if you want to access them off your tablet.
The Kindle Scribe starts at $400 and is available in three different storage configurations: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. All three capacities can be purchased with a Tungsten chassis, and the 64GB is also available in Metallic Jade.
Multiple Kindle Scribe Essential Bundles are eligible for preorder discounts. For the 16GB model, the Essentials Bundle with a plant-based leather folio and AC adapter costs $435. Official Kindle Scribe cases cost more than $35, so if you preorder this one, it’d be a good idea to opt for one of the bundles. You can also get a bundle with a premium, natural leather folio starting at $460.
Starting at $160 | Available Now
This is the speediest Kindle on the market, as Amazon says it’ll get you 25% faster page turns than the previous generation. It also benefits from the highest contrast ratio in the Kindle lineup, which should result in crisper images and text. You’ll get a 7-inch display, 16GB storage, and up to three months of battery life, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting your charger when going on vacation.
It’s sold in three different colors and is available now. Prices start at $160 for the model with ads on the lockscreen. You can purchase the Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle with a fabric cover and power adapter for $197. For $202, the Paperwhite Essentials Bundle comes with the leatherette case.
The new Kindle Paperwhite has the same form factor as the Colorsoft, so the two case options are the same: fabric for $37, leatherette for $43.
$110 | Available Now
The standard Kindle has also been upgraded, and it’s the most compact Kindle yet. It clocks at just 158 grams, and its 6-inch screen should make it easy to slip into a backpack or purse without taking up much space. It also benefits from a brighter front light, up to six weeks of battery life, and 16GB storage space.
$180 | Available Now
This version of the new Paperwhite comes with a durable cover to help protect it from the inevitable drops and scratches it’ll endure when placed in the hands of a young reader. You’ll also get a two-year worry-free guarantee and six months of Amazon Kids+ ($36 value), unlocking thousands of children’s books. Coupled with the included case, the new Paperwhite Kids reader is valued at $242.
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