Many people read Kindle ebooks on a tablet or phone using a Kindle app, but some choose to read on a Kindle e-reader instead.
If you’ve only ever read Kindle ebooks using a tablet or phone you might wonder why anyone would bother with buying another device when you can use something you already own.
Some are content to read ebooks on a phone or tablet if that’s what works best for them, but others prefer reading on a dedicated Kindle e-reader because it provides a superior reading experience.
One way isn’t necessarily better than the other, and it depends on what type of content you consume, but most people who use a Kindle e-reader to read ebooks agree that it’s an upgrade over using a Kindle app on a phone or tablet.
Here are the main reasons why some people upgrade to reading on a Kindle e-reader:
E Ink Display – Kindle e-readers use a completely different type of screen technology than tablets and phones that can be easier on your eyes, especially with long reading sessions. Text looks more like printed ink on paper with E Ink screens so it has more of a book-like appearance. Unlike LCD screens, E Ink screens can be viewed in direct sunlight without glare or a loss of clarity, as the picture at the top of this post illustrates. In fact E Ink screens look better under bright light. Plus E Ink screens don’t emit light like LCD screens. Most have frontlights these days, but the light is directed toward the screen, not your eyes, and the light isn’t as bright.
Battery Life – Dedicated ebook readers have smaller batteries than most phones and tablets, but a battery charge lasts much longer because E Ink screens are very energy efficient and only require power to change the contents on the screen. Plus E Ink screens aren’t backlit, and the LED frontlights don’t use as much power and can be turned off.
Lightweight – Kindles are very lightweight for their size, much lighter than a typical tablet. For example, the Fire 7 tablet weighs 286 grams and the 7-inch Kindle Oasis weighs only 188 grams, making it a lot easier to hold when reading.
No Distractions – One of the best things about dedicated ebook readers is you can focus on reading without any distracting email alerts, push notifications, or social media nonsense. Kindles are designed for reading only (and you can listen to audiobooks too).
Added Features – Depending on the model, Kindles have some extra features that a phone or tablet may not have, such as dedicated page buttons, waterproofing, adjustable light color, high resolution 300 ppi E Ink screens, auto-adjusting light sensor, screen reader, etc.
So this isn’t about kindle app really, but kindle app on a phone or tablet, we do have the kindle app on ereaders (e.g. boox).
Do Kindle e-readers have graphics display capabilities? If not, they’re useless for magazines, graphic novels, or illustrated books.
Stop being a child by reading “graphic novels” (comics) and you’ll be fine 🙂
Kindles to have the capabilities to display graphics. Graphics novels and comics actually look really good on the screen. The only drawback to you maybe is that its not in color.
Also popup windows (Wikipedia, dictionary) are too small on Kindle Application.
Have you tried them on the Kindle application on a larger screen ereader?
Sometimes I’m reading on Sony 10” tablet in Kindle application. Popups are very small there. Not sure how it works on other eReaders.
Other reasons:
Sideloaded content is easier
Adding fonts for customized reading
Indexed Kindles allow search of all books stored on device
Optional dictionaries available
Good points! I should’ve included those in the extra features section.
For me, it’s the less distractions. I like that I can ONLY read on it. (Well, or use the web interface that doesn’t really work well. Or maybe it’s not even available anymore.)
I use a Kindle Voyage e-reader at night in bed so I don’t have a blue light issue. During the day and evening I use a tablet (currently a Fire HD 8). The Fire is heavily tweaked so I don’t have to use the Amazon home screen, installed Google Play store, etc.
In most instances, I much prefer to read on my Kindle over reading from a Kindle app on my phone. However, if the book has color photos, Kindle app is better. I go to my Kindle app sometimes just to browse my Kindle library. It’s like real life browsing, seeing the colorful book covers!
Please introduce a 7″ kindle.Have used a base and paperwhite readers.
Why is Fire not available in India?
Introduce it in India
.Indians are great readers too.Your sales will soar
Only way I can read books is to use a dark background with large white letters. Last time I tried Kindle e-readers, none had this option. Do they yet or will they ever?
Yes, the current Kindle Oasis and Kindle Paperwhite models have the option to invert the text to white on black.
I bought a Kindle Paperwhite last year because I heard that it is easier on the eyes. That is the ONLY reason I bought it. But I have to say that I’m very disappointed with it. I’ve used the Kindle app on my iPhone for years, since it first became available. In my opinion, using a Kindle device is like going back to the era of black-n-white TV. Here’s why I think that:
1. The Kindle device displays only black and white. The app displays in full color. It has a softer beige background that I prefer over the device’s “paper white” background.
2. The font on the device is not as sharp and clear as that the fonts in the app on my iPhone 11,. The Kindle Paperwhite’s text looks “blurry” compared to the app in my iPhone.
3. The app has a “flip page” feature that (surprisingly) the e-reader does not. In fact, advancing the page on the e-reader is surprisingly slow… even when the “page refresh” is turned off. It is faster and smother in the app. (NOTE: this “flip action” feature is only available on books that have page-flipping enabled by the publisher).
4. The app provides four colors to highlight text — but if you sync your book to the Kindle device, these highlights all appear as “gray” — no distinction.
5. The e-reader is an additional device to carry around. Sure it’s lighter, but I have to carry around my iPhone anyway, so the Kindle device is ADDING weight.
6. I usually read indoors, not out in direct sunlight. And the e-reader DOES reflect lamp light if you’re directly under it, although I admit the iPhone reflects much worse… but all you have to do is move out of the direct light.
7. The Kindle Paperwhite is always displaying something on the screen. This bugs me. You can’t turn it completely “off” so that it has a blank screen. This bothered me so much that I ended up buying a cover for it. Yeah, I know… a printed book always has a cover showing, but devices shouldn’t look like they’re always “on” even when they’re not in use.
8. Last but certainly not least: the app is FREE. The Kindle device (plus any accessories) is not.
Just my opinion. To each his own.
I agree with you, for all the same reasons. I’ve searched the Internet now to convince me otherwise, but I think I’m just going to stick to my app. I have an ipad, and a matt screen protector has taken care of the glare, and I absolutely love it.