Amazon updates Kindle with new display tech, launches covers with buttons to turn pages

Amazon has launched a redesigned Kindle lineup with new Kindle, Paperwhite and Colorsoft models. The new e-readers get updated displays, thinner designs, longer battery life and new accessories.

In Short

• Amazon launches redesigned Kindle, Paperwhite and Colorsoft models
• New Kindle gets a 6-inch flush-front display
• Kindle Paperwhite offers up to 12 weeks of battery life

Amazon has refreshed its Kindle lineup, and this time the company has changed more than just what’s inside. The tech giant introduced updated versions of its three main e-readers – regular Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft models with redesigned displays and slimmer builds, while battery life remains a major focus. Amazon has also unveiled new Kids models and accessories, such as the Kindle Click, alongside the updated e-readers.

New Kindle features

The new Kindle comes with a 6-inch display and a flush-front design, removing the raised border around the screen. It has 16GB of storage and is claimed to open books 30 per cent faster than the previous model. Amazon says it can offer up to six weeks of battery life. The standard version starts at $149.99 (roughly Rs 14,412) and comes in Ube and Graphite colours.

There is also a version with an aluminium back, 32GB storage and a matte finish. It starts at $189.99 (approximately Rs 18,255) and comes in Alpine Sky Aluminium and Seaglass Green Aluminium.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is thinner and lighter than the previous model and comes with a waterproof design and adjustable warm light. Amazon says it can offer up to 12 weeks of battery life on a single charge. It gets an oxide-thin film transistor backplane and a larger display with a higher contrast ratio.

The Paperwhite starts at $199.99 (roughly Rs 19,216) for the 16GB model, while the 32GB Signature Edition costs $249.99 (around Rs 24,021). The Signature Edition also gets an aluminium rear housing, auto-adjusting front light, wireless dock charging and double-tap page turning.

For those who want colour, the new Kindle Colorsoft gets a redesigned display with paper-like colour. Amazon says its new display uses a light guide with nitride LEDs and an oxide backplane to improve colour and brightness. The 16GB model starts at $289.99 (around Rs 27,869), while the 32GB Signature Edition costs $319.99 (roughly Rs 30,752).

Amazon has also introduced new Kindle Kids versions of the three models. They come with kid-friendly covers and 12 months of Amazon Kids Plus.

New Kindle accessories also launched

Alongside the new Kindle devices, Amazon has introduced a few accessories aimed at making reading easier. The Kindle Click is a $34.99 (roughly Rs 3,362) Bluetooth remote that lets users turn pages without touching the Kindle. It works with all the new Kindle devices and Kindle models released from 2024 onwards.

There is also a Page-Turn Cover with physical page-turn buttons, priced at $79.99 (around Rs 7,689), along with a $59.99 (approximately Rs 5,766) Charging Dock for the Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition.

As of now, the India launch and availability details of these devices remain unknown. Amazon has not officially revealed any details on the matter yet, but the company could share more information in the coming days.

- Ends