Amazon Kindle Bombshell: New Kindles for 2024

Now in Colour!

Oct 17, 2024

Image courtesy of Amazon (Press release)

As expected, Amazon dropped some new Kindles onto its store this week, but what we didn’t expect was six new models, including one we’ve been asking for for a long time: a colour Kindle! This news caught me by surprise, and I had to share it with you right away. So, buckle up as I walk you through what’s new with four models from the refreshed Kindle lineup and possibly help you decide whether these updates are worth your hard-earned cash.

1. Kindle Colorsoft – The Star of the Show

Let’s start with the Kindle Colorsoft (note the US spelling). Priced at £270, Amazon is calling it the “colour that you can’t put down.” This is a significant moment for Kindles, which have traditionally been monochrome. As someone who’s been a fan of Kindles for a long time, I find this addition of colour pretty amazing. Imagine reading your favourite comics, children’s books, or graphic-heavy content in full colour.

Key Features of Kindle Colour Soft:

High-contrast colour display: You can highlight text in multiple colours now—yellow, orange, blue, and pink. This makes it easier to organise notes or important sections in books.
Waterproof: Just like previous models, it can handle splashes or even being dropped in water.
Battery life: No changes here, which is a good thing! Expect a battery that lasts for weeks between charging, including wireless charging and USB-C.
Child profile options: Kids can now enjoy colour books, too, with their own profiles, and you can control what they access.
Custom covers: While the Kindle Colorsoft doesn’t come in different colours, you can get stylish new cases to match your preference.

At £270, this colour Kindle does seem a little pricey. However, considering it brings something new to the Kindle family, this could be the e-reader upgrade many of us have been waiting for.

2. Kindle Scribe – A Reader and Notebook in One

Next up is the new Kindle Scribe. It feels like the original Kindle Scribe didn’t launch that long ago, and now, just like that, there’s a new one! (It launched in 2022, so it’s had a good two years to make an impact.) The Scribe is more than just an e-reader—it’s also a digital notebook. If you like annotating books or documents, this might be perfect.

Highlights of Kindle Scribe:

Write directly on books and PDFs: This is huge for those who like to take notes while reading. The 10.2-inch display offers plenty of space, and with something Amazon has called “Active Canvas”, the book will automatically adjust the text to fit your notes.
Feels like paper: Amazon promises the new premium pen, which doesn’t require charging and helps create that feeling like writing on paper.
Storage and sizes: You can choose between 16GB and 64GB, depending on how much space you need for books, PDFs, notes or even your Audible collection.
Design: The Kindle Scribe has a sleeker design with two new colours—Tungsten Grey and Jade, making it comfortable to hold and look good simultaneously!

At £380, the Kindle Scribe is an investment. But if you’re the type of person who likes to annotate, write, and organise notes in your reading, this might be worth considering.

3. Kindle Paperwhite – A Sleek Upgrade

For those who loved the previous Kindle Paperwhite, you’ll be happy to hear that Amazon has also introduced a new version. The Kindle Paperwhite has always been one of the most popular models, and this update keeps all the features you love while adding some improvements.

What’s New with Kindle Paperwhite (and Signature Edition):

Faster page turns: Amazon promises a 25% faster page turn, which could make flipping through books even smoother.
Higher contrast: The 7-inch screen boasts a higher contrast ratio, making the text even crisper and clearer to read.
Design: Just like the Kindle Scribe and Colorsoft, this model also seems to have more rounded corners (I could be wrong on this, so don’t hold me to it!), giving it a modern, polished look.
Battery life: Expect up to 12 weeks on a single charge. This model doesn’t offer wireless charging (though the new Signature Edition Paperwhite model does).
Price and colours: Starting at £160, the Kindle Paperwhite remains a solid middle-ground option. It’s available in black, Jade, and a new raspberry colour for those who want something a little different.

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your Paperwhite, this might be the time. The enhancements are subtle but significant, particularly for frequent readers.

4. The Basic Kindle – Affordable and Efficient

Finally, let’s talk about the new basic Kindle. Priced at just £90, this model is perfect for those who want an affordable way into the Kindle ecosystem. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the higher-end models, it still delivers an excellent reading experience.

Basic Kindle Features:

Simple and effective: It’s everything you need in an e-reader without the extras. It has a glare-free display and a long-lasting battery—essential Kindle staples.
Amazon ecosystem: Once you’re in, you can access thousands of books and use features like Whispersync.
Design: This model comes in Black or Matcha Green.

For £90, it’s hard to argue against the value the basic Kindle offers. This is an excellent option if you’re just looking for a reliable way to read e-books without spending too much.

Release Dates and What I’m Buying

So, when can you get your hands on these new Kindles? The Kindle Colorsoft is available for pre-order now and will be released on the 30th of October. The Kindle Scribe will be available on the 4th of December. The new Paperwhite and basic Kindle are already available to order now.

I’m leaning towards getting the Kindle Colorsoft and the Kindle Scribe. I’ve always loved the idea of a colour Kindle, and the Kindle Scribe’s note-taking functionality and updated design are too intriguing to pass up. However, I’ll be honest—I wish I could get them all, but budget constraints are real, folks!

Should You Buy One of These New Kindles?

Now comes the big question: should you go for one of these new Kindles? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for in an e-reader.

If you’re into comics, kids’ books, or any content you think would benefit from colour, then the Kindle Colorsoft is worth a look. It’s the first Kindle to bring colour into the mix, and it could be a game-changer for certain types of books, such as academic books and graphic novels.
If you want an all-in-one device for reading and note-taking, the Kindle Scribe is the one for you. The ability to write directly on books and PDFs adds a new dimension to the reading experience.
If you’re just looking for a solid e-reader with improvements, the Kindle Paperwhite remains the best middle-ground option with its faster performance and higher contrast screen.
For anyone on a budget, the basic Kindle is an unbeatable deal at £90, offering a gateway into the Kindle world at a low price.

Image courtesy of Amazon (Press release) - The Kindle is also available in Kid friendly versions

If you plan to purchase one of the new Kindles, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could support my work using the affiliate links below. This would mean a lot and help me continue delivering valuable reviews and content:

Kindle Colorsoft - https://amzn.to/3YqVyPn

Kindle Scribe - https://amzn.to/3YbjLI8

Kindle Paperwhite - https://amzn.to/3NtMSRP

Kindle Basic - https://amzn.to/3NsOs6x

I also made a video looking at these new models, which you can watch on my YouTube channel. Please like, share, and subscribe if you decide to take a visit!

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