One question that a lot of people ask, especially recently with Kindles being on sale, is should I buy a new Kindle now or wait for a new model to get released?
Considering how Apple and other tech companies do business by releasing new models constantly, that’s a valid question for those that have been conditioned to expect something new every few months.
But when it comes to Kindles and dedicated ebook readers in general that have E Ink screens, upgrades are a lot less frequent (with the exception of Onyx who releases eight new models per year with minor changes).
When it comes to Kindles upgrades happen at a snail’s pace. Even when Amazon finally does release a new model after 2 or 3 years, the changes are usually minor.
When they upgraded from the Oasis 2 to the Oasis 3 after 2 years all they changed was the frontlight color. It still has the same exact screen, the same exact design, and the same exact reading features.
When they “upgraded” the last Paperwhite model it took 3 years just to make it waterproof. They also increased storage space and added Bluetooth to listen to audiobooks, but most people could care less about those “upgrades”. In fact some consider the flush front screen a downgrade because it shows fingerprints more and is slightly less clear than the previous model.
At this point there’s not a lot that Amazon could do to make an upgraded model truly stand out from their current lineup. The Oasis 3 is unlikely to get replaced any time soon since it was just released a year ago, and it already has all the features needed for a premium reading device.
The Paperwhite line has been around since 2012. A new Paperwhite model could get released at some point within the next year, but that’s not guaranteed. What would they change? They aren’t going to go through the trouble of releasing a new model just to add something like a USB-C port.
E Ink screens plateaued years ago; there hasn’t been any noteworthy improvements in years outside of them using flexible substrates for increased durability, but most companies still don’t use them because they’re more expensive, including Amazon. Color E Ink screens are a long way off from being good enough for a mass market Kindle, and they’re never going to replace regular black and white E Ink screens because contrast is inferior.
So unless E Ink suddenly comes out with new screens that have better contrast, there aren’t any major changes that Amazon could make to Kindles. Waiting for the next new model with the hope that it’s somehow going to be leaps and bounds better than the current model isn’t a reasonable expectation.
Some would like to think that Amazon will release a Paperwhite with a warm frontlight option like the Kindle Oasis, but I don’t see that happening. First off, warm frontlights have been around for years. They could’ve added that to the current model if they had wanted to. Second, why would Amazon bring one of the main selling points from their flagship Oasis to the less expensive Paperwhite?
I could see Amazon eventually releasing a new 6-inch model with that option, but I doubt it’s going to happen with the Paperwhite that frequently goes on sale for under $100. Plus there’s the point that the name “Paperwhite” would make absolutely no sense if it had an orange/yellow screen. It took Amazon 25 LEDs to get the variable colors right on the Oasis so it’s hard to see them doing something like that on the Paperwhite as well considering it’s half the price of the Oasis, sometimes less when it’s on sale.
If you want a new Kindle you’re better off just getting one now instead of hoping that Amazon is going to release something better in a few months. The odds of that happening are slim to nil. Even if they did surprise us and release a new model by the end of the year you could still return the Kindle you purchased and buy the new one. Amazon has an extended return period during the holiday shopping season where you can return most purchases, including Kindles, through January.
Totally agree. I don’t see any reason to wait…especially if you primarily want to read books.
Slight correction, or addition, to what you said about the updated from the Oasis 2 to the Oasis 3. They actually got rid of the feature to have a magnetic case. I assume there was some sort of structural reason to move or remove those magnets….but, I would’ve really liked to use one of those magnetic covers.
The reason they removed the magnets was that the magnetic cases were actually pretty terrible. They came off to easy and only protected part of the device. The current case options started pretty early in the Oasis 2’s run after Amazon discontinued the magnetic cases.
Oh…I didn’t know they were discontinued. I liked the idea of being able to easily take them off, and put them back on.
I just use a sleeve, because I like to hold the Oasis but itself.
I gave up on Amazon making a larger ereader and am completely happy reading my Kindle books on Onyx Boox Nova 3.
Amen
I would not buy another 6- or 7-inch Kindle device. I will see if Barnes & Noble releases anything new (not holding my breath) this year, but if not, I am getting the larger Kobo Forma this holiday season.
I too switched to Onyx Book (note air) and the kindle app. Love it.
It is a very easy answer to this question: do not buy kindle at all, and dont support Amazon. Go Kobo instead.
How about better batteries? Litium ion batteries continue to improve at an incredible rate, and the more hours between charges I can get, the happier I am. Add longer battery life, and cheaper costs for those batteries, and I see significant room for improvement in the near future.
I recommend either getting a secondhand voyage or a paperwhite 3 as those are massively superior to the latest Kindle paperwhite 4 which was a bust. They are also cheaper in cost
I’m using a second hand Paperwhite I’ve been looking to replace for years.
That micro USB though. 2016 wants its port back.
There is one upgrade that could and should be made: Switch them to USB-C. The micro usb port that has been in use is clunky to use (when I think of all the times I have tried to jam that thing into my kindle upside down…grrr) and outdated.
I did think about switching from Oasis to Paperwhite because of ghosting issues on my Oasis but I turned black and white mode on and it’s less now. I’ve already had five Oasis replacements for different issues and each one seems to have something else wrong. Pinholes. Battery. Ghosting.
Ok let’s put this to bed. I have tried out so many tablets. When it comes down to reading, yes reading a book. You want a nice clear screen., easy page turn, easy on easy off. Storage for many books and battery that last. Sounds pretty simple, because it is that simple. Dont need anything else. Face it all the other is not necessary, your reading a book., and probably in bed.
My paperwhite does perfect. Simple as that. Enough said.
I would recommend newcomers to buy a Kindle paperwhite 3, seventh generation. Precisely because of the recessed screen. To me reading on a flush bezel such as a voyage, the new paperwhite or the oasis feels like I’m reading on a tablet. Forget the smudges which is also an issue and the glare but the colors and the text don’t pop out as much. The whole concept of the paperwhite three was to make it paper like and I don’t get that same sensation with a flush bezel. I’ve tried throughout the years to get used to it but I always keep reaching for to my paperwhite 3. I wish Amazon would release a 7 inch version of that same model. Same storage, no Bluetooth, no waterproof, no buttons, no cheap gimmicks so as to not compete with the oasis. Just a carbon copy in a larger version.
Another thing is that I believe that eventually premium Kindles will be bumped up to 8 inches and basic versions to 7 inches so I’m hoping that this will eventually happen although I don’t see it for at least another 3 to 5 years. I mean, what else is there to do to 6 inch Kindles? They’ve been in circuit and rotation for the past 10 years. For those that want a 6 inch kindles down the road, they have 10 years of options they can choose from.
Not bringing warm light to kindle “paperwhite”.. I am reading this in 2022 and laughing out loud. Could the author be more wrong?
JK. I know its easy to say anything in retrospect.