The key facts
- The new Kindle Colorsoft starts at $290, the Signature Edition at $320
- 7-inch screen: 300ppi for black-and-white content, 150ppi for color
- Claimed battery life is up to eight weeks, versus up to 12 for the Paperwhite
Prices and configurations
Amazon has updated its Kindle lineup, introducing a new base Kindle, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft, TechCrunch reports. The base version of the Colorsoft costs $290 and comes with 16 GB of storage, while the Signature Edition at $320 doubles the capacity to 32 GB and is offered in graphite and a burgundy Fig shade with an aluminum back panel. For comparison: the base Kindle and Paperwhite cost $169.99 and $199.99 respectively.
What has changed compared to the first model
Amazon has been making color Kindles since 2024, when the original Colorsoft model launched. The new version is lighter and thinner than its predecessor and features an edge-to-edge display. According to the TechCrunch reviewer, owners of the first generation have almost no reason to upgrade: the reading quality has remained virtually the same. Both models are equipped with a 7-inch color E-Ink display with a resolution of 300ppi for black-and-white content and 150ppi for color.
Who a color screen is for
The main difference between the Colorsoft and regular Kindles is the color display of covers, illustrations, and highlights. In the reviewer's opinion, this is especially valuable for comics, graphic novels, and cookbooks, as well as for those who highlight text in different colors. That said, the colors remain muted and are noticeably less saturated than on an iPad. The device supports color temperature adjustment for nighttime reading and automatic brightness, and it is water-resistant.
Battery life and minor improvements
Amazon claims up to eight weeks of battery life on a single charge, compared to 12 weeks for the Paperwhite. Among the practical changes is the relocated power button: it used to sit on the bottom edge next to the charging port and was pressed accidentally, but now it is on the top right edge. The Signature Edition supports a magnetic case with page-turn buttons that connects via pogo pins on the back panel, but the reviewer did not test this accessory. The testing also showed no noticeable 'ghosting' or residual image, which was more common on the larger Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
Review conclusion
The main drawback of the new device, according to TechCrunch, is the price: an expensive investment in a reading-only device. The author believes that most readers would be better off with the base Kindle or Paperwhite, and the Colorsoft is only worth considering for those who truly need a color display.
