Kindle Paperwhite review: Amazon has built the last e-reader you’ll ever buy

Kindle Paperwhite is the best-selling e-reader that Amazon sells, however with the newest improve, it would simply be one of the best Kindle too. The all-new Kindle Paperwhite brings plenty of options which have beforehand been reserved for the pricier Oasis and Voyage variants, together with a bigger touchscreen and an adjustable heat mild to vary the color temperature of the web page. Coupled with the change to USB-C – an nearly comically overdue first for the Kindle vary – for charging, boosted 10-week battery and waterproof case, that is the final word gadget for bookworms seeking to carry a library’s price of books of their pocket.

Categorical.co.uk has been turning (digital) pages on the sensible new Kindle Paperwhite for just a few weeks. Scroll down for our full evaluate of the Kindle Paperwhite…

Kindle Paperwhite evaluate: Design and Options

Out of the field, the very first thing you will discover concerning the new Kindle Paperwhite is the dimensions. It boasts a bigger 6.8-inch e-ink show, in contrast with the 6-inch display screen we have seen on all earlier Paperwhite fashions. That may not sound like an enormous enhance, nevertheless it does make a considerable distinction. Whether or not you like a smaller font to scale back the variety of web page turns, or need most legibility – you can squeeze extra prose onto each web page. When you’re tearing by a page-turner …that is an actual bonus. After all, the larger display screen means a bigger total footprint for the Kindle.

Whereas the brand new Kindle Paperwhite is undoubtedly taller, it is the added width that makes the true distinction. Whereas the earlier Kindle Paperwhite fitted (albeit snugly) within the inside pocket of our coat, there is no probability of that with the brand new mannequin. It’s going to nearly match into the again pocket of your denims, however the added top implies that it’s going to be very seen. In different phrases, this can be a Kindle designed for a backpack or a purse.

Holding the brand new bigger body nonetheless feels remarkably snug. The borders across the sides of the touchscreen are about as skinny because it’s potential to go with out your thumb continuously resting on the display screen and flicking by pages at a charge of knots. If we have been to nitpick the brand new chunkier design, the chin on the backside of the touchscreen is fairly hefty… it will be nice to see that trimmed down (decreasing the general footprint of the e-reader) in a future revision of the {hardware}. However it’s removed from a dealbreaker with this present design.

So, is the pocket-straining new footprint of the Kindle Paperwhite price it for that 6.8-inch display screen? In a phrase: sure.

The one purpose to pack a Kindle is the superior studying expertise in contrast with the Kindle app in your smartphone and, in some situations, a paperback or hardback e-book. And the extra expansive 6.8-inch e-ink makes studying on the e-reader higher than earlier than. As talked about above, the larger display screen permits you to match extra onto each web page. However it’s not simply phrases, if there are illustrations within the e-book, they are much clearer on the brand new show.

The nice and cozy mild adjusts the color temperature on-screen, which reduces pressure in your eyes late at evening. There are 24-levels of heat, with something underneath 5 barely seen and the top-end of the slider reworking your e-book right into a yellowing centuries-old scrap of parchment. This may be manually tweaked from the short settings menu, or will be scheduled on a timer, based mostly by yourself preferences. Amazon has additionally launched a pricier Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version, which provides a sensor to routinely tweak the brightness of the show to the lighting round you. Whereas that is helpful, the newest model of the Kindle software program makes it ridiculously simple to rapidly entry the slider for brightness and heat, so it is from an important characteristic.

Not solely is the e-ink display screen on the brand new Kindle Paperwhite larger, nevertheless it’s additionally quicker than earlier generations. Amazon says this leads to 20 p.c quicker web page turns. In our time with the Kindle Paperwhite, the e-ink show at all times felt unbelievable responsive and quick …by the requirements of e-ink shows, in fact. When you’re anticipating the kind of efficiency you’d see from an OLED panel on a contemporary smartphone, you are going to be sorely upset. However flicking between pages is quick sufficient that you’re going to by no means be taken out of what you are studying.

For individuals who have not used an e-reader earlier than, the e-ink show is nearly indistinguishable from a printed web page. At 300 pixel-per-inch, you will battle to see any particular person pixels at a standard studying distance …and even in the event you maintain the Kindle near your face. However not like the screens in your laptop computer, pill, handheld console or smartphone, the e-ink show on the Kindle is virtually immune from any glare. Utilizing the Kindle Paperwhite in direct daylight on a brilliant day isn’t any downside in any respect. And the built-in backlight means you can learn late at evening with none bother.

The Kindle Paperwhite is constructed from plastic, which does not really feel wherever close to as premium because the flagship Kindle Oasis. Nonetheless, the rear case does have a pleasing tactile really feel that is grippy sufficient to make holding this bigger Kindle one-handed fairly stress-free. And at nearly £100 cheaper than the Kindle Oasis and its steel chassis, we’re keen to guess that its a trade-off most readers are keen to make.

Like its predecessor, the Kindle Paperwhite is rated IPX8, which it may possibly survive complete submersion in two metres of freshwater for as much as 60 minutes, and as much as 0.25 metres of seawater for as much as 3 minutes. In different phrases, you possibly can go away this e-reader on the backside of a pool for an hour and it will be positive. If that does not reassure you that this e-reader is completely outfitted to outlive studying within the bathtub, then nothing will. Whereas it isn’t fairly as resistant in opposition to seawater, these susceptible to butter-fingers ought to nonetheless be reassured that it will survive an unintentional dip.

The ultimate change with the brand new Kindle Paperwhite is the arrival of a USB-C port. Amazon has stubbornly clung onto the micro USB port for its Kindle collection (it is nonetheless the port used to cost the entry-level Kindle and top-of-the-line Kindle Oasis) nevertheless it’s nice to see the tip of that chapter. When you’ve got a contemporary Android smartphone, a Nintendo Change, a latest MacBook, iPad, or wi-fi earbuds from OnePlus, Samsung or Google… you can pack a single charging cable the subsequent time you head out on vacation.

The brand new port additionally permits for some speedier charging, with the Kindle Paperwhite in a position to replenish its battery from flat to full in 2.5 hours. After a full cost, the Kindle Paperwhite lasts 10-weeks between expenses. Even voracious readers will seemingly neglect the final time they needed to attain for the charger.

Kindle Paperwhite evaluate: Software program

Whereas the {hardware} of the brand new Kindle Paperwhite is excellent, it is the software program that actually units it aside from different e-readers.

With the newest fashions, Amazon has dramatically improved the set-up course of. This leverages the Kindle app in your smartphone to wirelessly beam your account particulars to the e-reader and saves you the effort of typing in a protracted e-mail tackle and password utilizing the e-ink show.

Out of the field, the Kindle Paperwhite has the newest model of Amazon’s software program, which boasts a totally redesigned consumer interface. This is not distinctive to the Kindle Paperwhite, in case you have an older Kindle, Paperwhite, or Oasis – you can get pleasure from the identical software program with an replace. One of the best side of the brand new menu design is a banner that runs alongside the underside of the display screen, with shortcuts to the house display screen, your full library, and the e-book you are presently studying.

That is extremely helpful because it makes leaping again into your present e-book quick – even in the event you needed to test one other title in your library. The entire interface has been streamlined, with the Kindle Retailer now dismissed with a easy X within the prime right-hand nook and the short settings menu (accessible inside a e-book by tapping the highest of the display screen) has redesigned toggles for aeroplane mode, Bluetooth, darkish mode, and sliders for display screen brightness and heat.

Nonetheless, it isn’t all constructive. With the newest improve, Amazon now presents every little thing in lists – such as you’ll discover within the Kindle app in your smartphone or pill – slightly than separate pages that flip like an book. On paper, this looks as if a small change, however because of the weak point of e-ink shows, scrolling seems like a large number. Even with the quicker refresh charge of the brand new Kindle Paperwhite, it makes paging by the checklist of downloaded books really feel sluggish and clunky.

The principle menu has additionally been up to date and appears a lot, a lot busier than earlier than. Within the earlier replace, Amazon included a preview of the three most recently-opened books in your library, a listing of titles out of your Want Record, and a few suggestions of latest books based mostly in your tastes from its retailer. Those self same components stay, however every comes with a entrance cowl in a horizontally scrolling carousel. There are dozens of latest toggles to regulate the style of books that seem within the Uncover Books carousel, which turns a doubtlessly helpful strategy to stumble throughout new books with no journey to the Kindle Retailer into an eyesore. Amazon additionally makes use of the redesigned homescreen to shill for its Prime Studying characteristic, which provides a library of free books for Prime members.

A few of these new additions are fairly helpful and will assist readers uncover new books from their favorite authors or genres. However it all feels very busy in comparison with the earlier design. And a crowded display screen with countless toggles, suggestions, and prompts about Prime Studying would not precisely put you within the relaxed state of mind to sink right into a e-book.

The intelligent Kindle software program has plenty of tips that enhance on the expertise of studying a paperback or hardback novel. First up, there is a load of selection in relation to adjusting spacing and justification of the textual content on the web page and the font, together with a customized typeface designed from the bottom up by the Kindle workforce to be legible on an e-ink show. Amazon additionally consists of OpenDyslexic with all Kindles, which is designed to make studying extra accessible by mitigating a few of the frequent studying errors brought on by dyslexia – one thing that can hopefully open-up a world of must-read books to those that may in any other case be delay.

Phrase Clever, which is not new, however is nonetheless an important characteristic that is designed to assist difficult phrases from breaking the momentum of your e-book. When enabled, the Kindle will routinely load concise definitions in a smaller typeface beneath robust phrases on the web page, so you possibly can proceed studying with no break to test the dictionary.

And in contrast to a conventional paperback, you’ll additionally get an clever prediction of how a lot time you’ve obtained left within the chapter, or till the tip of the e-book within the decrease left-hand nook of the web page always.

Kindle Paperwhite evaluate: Value and Availability

The brand new Kindle Paperwhite launched late final 12 months. It is obtainable from a variety of excessive avenue shops and, in fact, from Amazon itself, with Prime members in a position to get the brand new e-reader delivered next-day at no additional value. The entry-level Kindle Paperwhite with 8GB of storage (that is sufficient for 1000’s of books) prices £129.99, rising to £139.99 if you wish to ditch all promoting from the standby display screen.

Kindle Paperwhite evaluate: Remaining Verdict

• Execs: superb larger 6.8-inch display screen, waterproof design for seashore studying, slick new set-up course of, enormous market of ebooks, usb-c charging
• Cons: redesigned homescreen is just too busy, no wi-fi charging, adverts included on most reasonably priced mannequin

When you’re in search of a well-designed e-reader with sensible software program, a wealth of digital books obtainable, water-resistance for bathtub and seashore studying, and an exceptional display screen – look no additional, that is it. Positive, Amazon’s pricier Kindle Oasis has a sleeker design and bodily buttons to show the pages, and the entry-level Kindle has a ludicrously low price ticket. Each of those fashions have their place, however any further, the Kindle Paperwhite is our go-to advice for any reader.

Whereas the brand new 6.8-inch display screen means this Kindle Paperwhite will battle to squeeze into many pockets – it makes studying an absolute pleasure, with extra phrases on each web page and illustrations allowed extra room to breathe. Amazon’s redesigned Kindle software program now features a a lot less complicated set-up course of which means you will be studying inside minutes of opening your new gadget. The brand new-look menu is a large enchancment and the accessibility options ought to imply extra persons are in a position to benefit from the newest page-turners that everybody is speaking about. And the long-overdue arrival of USB-C means you will not must pack a devoted charging cable in your Kindle in your subsequent vacation!

To make a protracted story quick, Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best e-reader you should buy at present.