It looks like Amazon is getting close to releasing a couple of new versions of the Kindle Paperwhite soon, including a new Signature Edition with some interesting upgrades.
Update: Amazon has officially unveiled three different versions of the new Kindle Paperwhite and it’s now available to pre-order.
There are several posts on reddit showing screenshots of the new Kindle Paperwhite appearing on some of Amazon’s international websites in the Kindle comparison tables, but Amazon has since taken them down.
According to the screenshots, the new Kindle Paperwhite has a slightly larger 6.8-inch E Ink screen instead of a 6-inch screen like all the earlier versions, and it still has 300 ppi. Amazon has also finally added a warm frontlight to the Paperwhite line, and this new model has 17 LEDs now, up from 5 on the Paperwhite 4.
The new Paperwhite 5 is waterproof like the previous version, and it still has a flush front screen and appears to have a similar design as the previous model.
The Signature Edition adds more storage space (32GB vs 8GB for the standard version), along with an auto-adjusting frontlight and wireless charging.
Prices are still unclear at this point. On one screenshot they had the regular version listed at $149 and the Signature Edition at $209, but that was in Canadian dollars and they might’ve just been placeholders.
Stay tuned to The eBook Reader Blog for more updates on the upcoming release of the Kindle Paperwhite 5. I wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon makes an official announcement later this week, especially now that the cat is out of the bag.
via: reddit
Nice!! While I’m not currently looking for a new Kindle, I do like these improvements. I bought the wireless plugs for both my Oasis 3 and my PW 4, which makes it super easy to charge. (I need to get another one for my Voyage.)
It’s not a huge change but at least it’s something different than the same 6-inch Paperwhites that have been available since 2012. A slightly larger display with a warm frontlight at least adds something new to the line. I like wireless charging too, but I wonder if USB-C is in the cards.
Sort of makes no sense to have a 7″ Oasis with a 6.8″ Paperwhite- will they upside the Oasis…
167 dpi on basic Kindle.?should at least get bumped up to 200+ dpi.
Flush screen Paperwhite sounds interesting…for people that don’t already have a larger device.
Boy does this put the Oasis in a weird place. You’re paying that upgrade cost just for buttons? I don’t get it.
I agree. Hopefully a new Oasis is coming soon too. Paying $100 more just for buttons and a metal casing doesn’t make much sense.
It does. I wonder if they’re going to go the Kobo route and have a larger 8” or 10” device to take the spot of the oasis. So you have a basic 6” kindle, a 6.8” paperwhite, and a premium 8+“ device. That to me would make sense for their lineup.
And damn! Mobileread sleuths reading Chinese media leaks were right.
Looking at Amazon USA at this moment (Sept 20, at noon central time) there are no price listing and none are available. While looking at Amazon Mexico all the models are still available with the basic and paperwhite on sale. I agree that they could have at least bumped up the basic model’s screen resolution to 300. I fear they might price themselves out of the market with all these additions. adding warm light and 17 LEDs and a slightly bigger screen is a big step. But how much of a difference is 6.8 to 7 inches? I agree that this will hurt the Oasis sales because the price difference for buttons, lower battery life, and questionable ergonomics (as some really like it and some don’t). Unless they keep the same prices as before, I see the basic model becoming the number one seller, not the paperwhite.
I personally don’t understand adding wireless charging. Wireless charging usually stinks. I’d prefer a fast charge USB-C.
This might be tinfoil hat territory, but if they succeed in getting wireless charging done correctly, they can eliminate the USB port, which takes them one big step towards killing the sideloading of books that are bought elsewhere.
an ultra light weight kindle with swappable batteries to reduce weight and increase charging flexibility; a large pdf-capable kindle; and something in-between, if you like. and zero tracking of users reading habits. people need to be able to read without being monitored. also, if i were running amazon id start a publishing company to take on bertelsman (and netflix)that gives back 100% of its profits to authors. particularly non-fiction authors who can help normal people, little people, make sense of the world so we can all start making better decisions. a single charitable act, if youre going to make one, may as well be focused in this direction.
Apparently it’s available for pre-order on Amazon india but haven’t checked out the specs.