I thought it would be fun to try and guess what new Kindle ereaders Amazon is going to release in 2022, so here it goes…
With Prime Day in the rear-view mirror, I would say that a new entry-level Kindle is almost certainly going to get released in the next couple of months. That’s the most obvious one since it has been out for over 3 years now, and the price was lower than it’s ever been for Prime Day, so it’s days are likely numbered.
The Kindle Oasis 3 is also over three years old now, and its features are lagging behind the less expensive Kindle Paperwhite 5, so it makes zero sense to keep it around for another year in its current state, especially at such a high price.
But the biggest question is will Amazon finally release a new model? They’ve been offering a basic Kindle, a Kindle Oasis, and a Kindle Paperwhite for over 6 years now. I think it’s time for something new…
10.3″ Kindle eNote
I think this year is the year that Amazon finally releases a large screen Kindle with notetaking capabilities. Every other established ereader company, except Barnes and Noble (do they really count?), offers a 10.3-inch ereader, so why shouldn’t Amazon?
Earlier this year Remarkable announced they are now a billion dollar company, and they’ve sold over 1 million Remarkable paper tablets, so at this point I think it’s going to be hard for Amazon to continue to ignore that market, especially when they already have the infrastructure in place to make things work. Just add a notetaking app to a new large Kindle. It’s not rocket science.
Kindle Oasis 4
I think it’s time for Amazon to release a new Kindle Oasis with a reworked design. The contoured back concept doesn’t make any sense after they ditched the magnetic cover idea that leveled the back, and they’ve been using the same exact design since 2017 so it’s time for a change.
I think the screen size will go up a little, they’ll do obvious upgrades like adding a USB-C port and increasing battery life, and they’ll probably add wireless charging like the Signature Edition Paperwhite. I also think there’s a chance they could add stylus support for notetaking like Kobo did with the Kobo Sage.
Entry-Level Kindle
The current entry-level Kindle has been on the market for longer than any entry-level Kindle since the Kindle was first released in 2007. Amazon used to replace them every year or two with a new model, but those days are long gone.
I don’t think they’ll change much with the next model. They’ve been using the same low resolution 800 x 600 screen since 2007 so that’s probably not going to change now, even though Amazon is the only company still using such low resolution 6-inch screens. They’ll probably just revise the design slightly and add a USB-C port and call it good. I really wish they’d offer a 300 ppi entry-level model with an indented screen to maximize screen clarity and contrast, but that’s not going to happen.
What new Kindles do you think Amazon will release in 2022?
I don’t care about Kindle anymore, I got Kobo Libra 2, and it’s great. 😀
I agree with you. Kobo Libra 2 is perfect!
I have Oasis 3 and a Paperwhite. Paperwhite battery is great but I really miss buttons. I love the Oasis 3 because of the screen size and buttons but the battery is not that great. I bought a Libra H2O when it first came out and like it for the button and battery life. Even though I think the screen is better on the Oasis 3 I tend to use the Libra more because of the battery life. Paperwhite used less often.
If they did a Oasis 4 with much better battery life, USB-C etc I am sure I would get it and go back to that for when I want buttons. As long as they do not make it significantly bigger or heavier.
I considered for awhile upgrading the H2O but I do not see the benefit other than USB-C which would be nice but not a must have.
The countoured back on Oasis is why I absolutely love the device. It’s so easy to hold with one hand and it feels so light thanks to that design. If they got rid of it, that would be a deal breaker for me. Anyway metal back is probably going away if they want to add wireless charging and that’s just sad as well, I love how premium it feels, sililar to many Apple devices I currently own. I’m really interested in what they’re actually going to do with it. My guess is there will be no Oasis 4 and the bigger note taking device is going to replace it.
I have almost clicked “buy” on the Kobo Sage and Likebook P78 Pro so many times over the last few days. But I’m not strongly considering getting one of those devices because of the note taking feature. I simply want a larger screen than the Oasis. However, I no longer think we’re going to get one from Amazon.
Amazon and Remarkable are different in that Amazon uses their devices as a way to get people to buy more stuff. To use a video game term, it’s about the “attachment rate,” not just about selling the device itself. For Remarkable, it’s about selling the device (and the associated subscription.) Amazon isn’t being seriously challenged in the e-book market in the US, so I think it’s possible that Amazon continues to ignore the larger devices from Kobo and other companies.
They’ll probably find a way to put Alexa in new devices instead.
Entry level Kindle for sure this year for the holiday season with USB-C. May be a slight bump in screen resolution or an extra light for backlighting but not both. Gotta keep it cheap.
I seriously doubt they would implement Alexa, that would require a constant supply of energy which would drain the battery too fast. And what would you say to it? Alexa, turn the page. How lazy have we gotten?
Just because you can’t imagine any use for it doesn’t mean there isn’t any. Just a couple of examples:
– Alexa, show me some fantasy books I might like.
– Alexa, who wrote…?
– Alexa, what’s the name of main character in book…?
– Alexa, is there a movie adaptation of this book?
Plus of course everything Alexa already does like controlling your home, as the device would have to be on cellular data or wifi anyway.
And no, it doesn’t need to be constantly on, it’s enough when your press/hold a button. Honestly Alexa on Kindle wouldn’t surprise me at all.
I see your point. But it would probably raise the cost of the device to be higher than the competition. Something they might not want to do. I’m not sure it would be such a good idea. I could see it raising the price, making it bulkier and heavier. People already complain about the weight of the PW5. I would rather see a note taking kindle. Maybe the color kindle as suggested for graphic novels. I have a Likebook P10, I guess I should see if Alexa works on it and see if it is practical as you suggest. I’m slowly being introduced to Alexa with the Fire Sticks I recently purchased. So, not all that knowledgeable on all it could do for me.
Well, Alexa is software, so the weight wouldn’t change at all. The price probably neither, because it’s a software that’s already developed and they put it even in speakers that cost 30 dollars. I think the biggest problem is that it would only work when you’re connected to the internet, so basicaly only when you’re home, which is a big limitation. I think Alexa will come to Kindles, just not anytime soon. Maybe if they ever release Kindle with 5G or something.
I guess I don’t understand the comments about paperwhite battery life. I have the Signature, and read for many hours every day. While I do charge it every few days, it’s usually about 70-75%. I charge it just in case electricity goes out! (it never does, but as soon as a Kindle got really low, it would, so I keep it charged.) My reading habit is on/off during the day, and I then go to bed around 10 pm, and read til about 5-6 am.
Since I always use a case on all of my devices, I don’t care what the color of it is. I also don’t like the one-side hand-hold on the Oasis. Sometimes I move from hand to hand, and flipping the Oasis each time would be a PITA.
The asymmetrical design should be retained for the next Oasis. It’s become a design for so many other companies for a reason. It makes sense as a way to hold the reader. And switching hands is great because the sensor works well. I suppose they could flatten out the back, but as someone who just got the official Amazon leather cover about 36 months after I got the device, I find the cover actually compliments the contoured back. I still grip around the bump with my index finger and grip around the flap with my other 3 fingers. Or I might hold the flap in my opposite hand as I grip around the contour with the other. It’s more comfortable than I thought it would be.
I think standardizing USB-C across the ereader line makes sense, too. Use an Eink Carta 1200 screen on Oasis 4 and upgrade the internals so it performs at least as well the Paperwhite 5, and has improved battery life. I suppose wireless charging is inevitable and they can get a little more mileage from a wireless dock.
I could see the Basic getting a 212 PPI screen. A marketable improvement over the current Gen and still worse than the more expensive models.
Nathan, you very well may be right…and I expect that Kobo will redo their Ellipsa. Amazon could slightly deviate from the “standard 10.3”. I thought they would already have jumped into this segment of the market(and possibly color!); not for readers exclusively but also for a digital textbooks…education market.
I love my Elipsa and hope Kobo does update it to have the warm light. They could increase the ppi but I would be satisfied with just the warm light addition. If Amazon comes out with a device in comparable size to the Elipsa, I would happily buy it and start buying books from them again but Kobo won me with the 10.3 sized device. Any updated Kindle or Oasis other than 10.3 is of no interest to me.
I hope you are right about the larger Oasis, Nathan! It has been long overdue, and I would get one. As for the note-taking device, I am not so sure. Although I am among people who regularly take notes, I have never seen anyone use Remarkable or a similar product.
I would like to see a 10.1 Oasis with a color screen.
I’m probably part of a dwindling minority now but I keep hoping for a refreshed voyage. I’m pretty sure that the new SEPW is superior but I am really used to the page turn buttons and the origami case of the voyage. It’s going to be hard to give up those features when my battery inevitably fails.
Completely agree, I was reading my Voyage this morning before I got up and wondering just how much longer the battery might hold up.
That said if they brought out an Oasis as described but reining the asymmetric metal back (sir no wireless charging) if be in there like a shot.
I love my Remarkable for the simplicity and cutting out distractions. If I could get my Kindle books on it, I would be thrilled. All it’s missing is a backlight for night reading and color. I would love a Kindle with color. The Kindle tablet has color, but if I wanted a tablet, I’d just use my iPad. Reading without pop ups and distraction is why the Kindle is worth it. Give us color so my teen son can enjoy his graphic novels.