Amazon’s new Kindle Colorsoft is a premium e-reader with a premium price

Detailed summary

The latest model is lighter and thinner than its predecessor and features an edge-to-edge display. But if you already own the first-generation Colorsoft, there’s little reason to upgrade.

Amazon recently unveiled its refreshed Kindle lineup, introducing a new basic Kindle, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft. The new Kindle Colorsoft starts at $290, while the Signature Edition, which I’ve spent the past few weeks testing, costs $320.

The base model comes with 16GB of storage, while the Signature Edition doubles that to 32GB and is available in graphite or a maroon-like Fig finish with an aluminum back.

Amazon first brought color to its Kindle lineup in 2024 with the launch of the original Colorsoft. The latest model is lighter and thinner than its predecessor and features an edge-to-edge display. If you already own the first-generation Colorsoft, there’s little reason to upgrade.

The core reading experience remains largely the same. Both models have a 7-inch color E-Ink display, 300ppi resolution for black-and-white content and 150ppi for color.

However, if you’ve been eyeing a color e-reader, the new Colorsoft is worth considering if you can get past the hefty price tag.

Unlike standard Kindles, which display everything in black and white, the Colorsoft brings your digital bookshelf to life with their original colors. This makes it a particularly appealing option for readers who enjoy comics, graphic novels, or cookbooks, where color makes a big difference. It’s also great for readers who like highlighting passages in different colors.

It’s worth noting that colors on the Colorsoft are still relatively muted and not as vibrant as what you’d see on an iPad. Still, they add a welcome splash of color and make a noticeable difference compared to the black-and-white displays of standard Kindles.

The Colorsoft lets you adjust the screen’s color temperature, so you can switch to a warmer, more yellow-toned display that’s easier on the eyes when reading at night. There’s also an auto-adjusting brightness option that comes in handy.

When it comes to battery life, Amazon says that the Colorsoft can last up to eight weeks on a single charge, compared to up to 12 weeks for the…

Opening of the article, excerpted from TechCrunch. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.