Review Date: October 2024 – Review unit purchased from Amazon
Overview
The latest Kindle Paperwhite was released on October 16th, 2024. It’s the sixth Paperwhite model that Amazon has released since 2012, and it’s considered a 12th generation Kindle.
The last Paperwhite, the Paperwhite 5, introduced a lot of changes from the previous model, but they only changed a few details with the Paperwhite 6, mostly the screen.
The main difference with this new Paperwhite is it uses a 7″ E Ink screen now instead of a 6.8″ screen, and the contrast has been improved—the black ink is darker (see comparison). The frontlight looks a bit nicer too, and helps the text stand out more instead of looking faded and washed out.
The new Paperwhite is also faster than the previous model, but not by much, and it has a slightly revised design with more rounded corners (the display has rounded corners now too).
Amazon added some new color choices for this model. It comes in black like usual, but there’s also a green jade color and a pink raspberry color, and all three color choices are the same for the upgraded Signature Edition model, except the Signature Edition colors have a metallic finish, even the black color.
The retail price of the 12th gen Kindle Paperwhite is $159.99 for the regular version with ads and it’s $179.99 without ads (Amazon doesn’t remove ads for free anymore so keep that in mind). The upgraded Signature Edition sells for $199.99, and it’s ad-free by default.
Amazon is also selling a Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition bundle for the 12th generation model. It’s the exact same Kindle; it just comes with a cover (there are three different designs), an upgraded 2-year warranty, and a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. It sells for $179.99, except the Diary of a Wimpy Kid version is $189.99. These don’t show ads when using kids mode, but they do when using regular mode unless you pay Amazon the $20 fee to remove them.
Paperwhite 6 Quick Review
Pros
- The improved contrast claim is true—the screen really does look better, with darker blacks than before, which helps the text stand out better.
- The frontlight has a clearer look to it now; it doesn’t wash out the text as much as it used to.
- The new Paperwhite is a little faster and more responsive than previous Kindles.
Cons
- The flush front layer is still a fingerprint magnet, and the rubber material on the back shows smudges and marks easily as well, so it always looks kind of gross and dirty.
- The power button sticks out on the lower edge and is easy to accidentally press.
- Amazon has removed the Download and Transfer Option from newer Kindles.
Verdict
The Kindle Paperwhite 6 is another one of those models where Amazon barely changed anything from the previous model, but the one thing they did change, the screen, does improve the reading experience quite a bit.
Someone asked if the screen on the new Paperwhite can finally match the Kindle Voyage’s screen from 10 years ago, and this is what I said: “It’s gotten to the point where they’re so close that I actually prefer reading on the new Paperwhite now because the frontlight is better and the screen response is faster. I still think the Voyage has a slight edge in clarity with the micro-etched glass screen, and the background color might be a tad lighter, but the ink darkness is really close and it might actually be a little darker on the Paperwhite. When using the Paperwhite in lower lighting the text seems to stand out more when using the frontlight.”
I always thought the Paperwhite was a good mid-level model, but I always prefered using the Kindle Voyage or the Kindle Oasis instead. I’m still going to use the Kindle Voyage for reading on the go because the smaller size makes it more portable, but at this point I’d rather use the new Paperwhite when reading at home because it has a better frontlight and the contrast is close enough to the Voyage that it no longer bothers me.
I do wish the Signature Edition model had more worthwhile upgrades, like a micro-etched glass screen and page sensor buttons like the Voyage had, instead of more storage space that’s never going to get used, and having wireless charging on a device that only needs to be charged once every month or two doesn’t really make any practical sense. But all things considered, I think the Paperwhite 6 is a worthy upgrade for the new screen alone.
Kindle Paperwhite 6 Video Review
The Screen
The first four generations of Kindle Paperwhites all had 6″ E Ink screens. Then they moved up to a 6.8″ screen on the last model, and now the Paperwhite 6 has a 7″ E Ink screen like the discontinued Kindle Oasis had.
The screen size difference going from 6.8″ to 7″ is virtually unnoticeable (you might get an extra line or two at the bottom of the page), but the one thing that is noticeable is the contrast difference.
The Paperwhite 6 is using a newer E Ink screen with improved contrast, which translates to the black ink being darker than before. It helps the text stand out more, and dark images and covers have a deeper black quality to them now. And the black background is noticeably darker when using Dark Mode.
The Paperwhite 6 still has a plastic-based flush front layer like the previous two versions, and it’s still the most fingerprint and smudge-prone screen that I’ve ever encountered on an ereader. I don’t know why Amazon still chooses to use it, but you have to get used to cleaning it all the time, or deal with reading through a cloud of fingerprints. The rubbery material on the back always looks marked-up as well, and the smudges don’t really wipe away from it.
The Design
The overall design of the Paperwhite 6 is almost identical to the Paperwhite 5. Both feel exactly the same in-hand. The corners are slightly more rounded on the new Paperwhite, and it’s a bit thinner, but not by enough to be noticeable. The overall size is slightly larger, about 3mm wider and 2mm taller, and it’s about 6 grams heavier. It’s just enough of a size difference so that 11th gen covers won’t fit.
Speed Increase
Amazon claims the new Paperwhite is the fastest Kindle ever, and while that is technically true, it’s not faster by much.
They claim that page turns are 25% faster, and that seemed true enough at first compared to the Paperwhite 5, but then Amazon released a software update, version 5.17.1, and now the page turn speed seems the same on the Paperwhite 5 and 6.
The new Paperwhite is a little faster when navigating menus, opening pop-up windows, and stuff like that, but it’s not a big difference at all. The speed improvement is nice, but it’s not enough of a reason to upgrade, unless you’re coming from a much older and slower model (the speed difference is pretty significant compared to the Kindle Voyage from 10 years ago, for instance).
Software
Usually when Amazon releases a new Kindle, they advertise some new software features, but this time around they didn’t change anything with the software.
The one difference is the new Paperwhite uses MTP now instead of USB mass storage when connecting it to a computer to transfer files. Windows users won’t have any problems with this, but Mac users will have to use third-party software to work with MTP, something like OpenMTP or Macdroid.
More Kindle Paperwhite 6 Reviews
Kindle Paperwhite 6 Comparison Video – 12th Gen vs 11th Gen
Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Comparison Review – 2024 Edition
Kindle Paperwhite 12th Generation Specs
- 7″ E Ink screen.
- Frontlight with color temperature control.
- 16GB or 32GB internal storage.
- Waterproof: IPX8 rated: tested to withstand immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes.
- WiFi: Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks.
- Bluetooth for audiobooks and VoiceView screen reader.
- USB-C port, charging cable included.
- Battery Life Estimate: up to 12 weeks.
- Supported formats: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), KFX, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX).
- Dimensions: 127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm.
- Weight: 211 grams (214 grams SE).
- Price: $159-$199 at Amazon
Signature Edition Upgrades
- Wireless charging (charger sold separately).
- Auto-brightness sensor.
- 32GB internal storage.
- No screensaver ads.
- Colors have a metallic finish.
Thanks for the review.
The screen sounds goods (I too still have a Voyage, if onyl to check if tehcnology catches up again with the past), but I am just not a fan of the design.
Instead of making it look/feel a bit more book-like (the Oasis and the Scribe were/are heading in the right direction, and I also find their assymsetricald esigns hopelessly superior when holding them), it looks more like a (cheap, due to the bezels) tablet, with the rounded display (just why?) just adding inuslt to injury.
If known, does the Paperwhite 6 feature a E Ink Carta 1300 HD B/W screen like the Kobo Clara BW or something else?
Amazon doesn’t specify screen types, and E Ink is prone to changing names frequently and it doesn’t really change much. Carta 1300, Carta 1200, Carta HD—you usually can’t tell a different unless you have them side-by-side, and other factors like frontlight layers and flush layers have more of an impact than anything.
I have a Paperwhite 11th gen. Instead of upgrading to the new PW 6, I ordered a Kobo BW. Not sure if I will keep it or not. The screen is a bit yellower than the Paperwhite. I guess it’s because of the E Ink 1300, like the new PW 6. But I like it. The text is very crisp. The Kobo BW is so light. With the margins set to 0, I have almost as much text as on my PW 5. I added NickelClock. And the Merriweather font that Nathan said he uses in one of his videos. I like that font very much!
I really like Merriweather. It’s a lot like Bookerly but with smoother edges.
I loved my Voyage, but the charging port ended up loosening up and wouldn’t hold the plug tightly enough.
What I wonder all of the time is: do most people buy covers for their kindles? I always do, so the new colors mean nothing to me.
If there is a cover for my device chances are I’ll put it in one so device color isn’t a priority. If anything I go with whichever color is cheapest.
I have dropped my phone enough times to know that a good case can prevent shattered screens and dented bodies. I dropped my venerable K3 on its corner yesterday thankfully it was in it’s flip case. The case corner cracked but the K3 is still flawless. I have a Voyage too it lives in a case and a sleeve. I dread the day something goes wrong with it.
I do. I like to hold my Kindle like a print book: left hand holding the cover, right hand holding the Kindle. I like the idea of some protection rather then expose the screen at all times.
I buy covers, but typically only use them for transport. My scribe at home is always „naked“.
I certainly would like to have the improved lighting of the current models but I am staying with the Voyage and the Oasis. If the new Kindles had page turn buttons I would buy them.
Hello, how is everyone – and you as well Nathan – finding the battery?
I come from an old Kindle Paperwhite from 2013 which was still going strong (now enjoyed by a relative). I upgraded, but the battery seems to deplete much faster than it used to.
I have my PW6 since launch so I don’t imagine it is to do with indexing anymore.
Is calibration a thing? (as in after a few cycles the software will show a more accurate battery %)
As it stands there is no way in hell that it would last 12 weeks with brightness 13/24 and 30m/day of reading.
Don’t get me wrong, still loving it and it’s not like I need to charge it that much…but it’s still brand new and I do wonder if something is going on, software or otherwise.
Thanks for any reply/advice everyone.
PS: Love your passion for eBook readers.
Battery life seems normal to me so far. It certainly isn’t draining fast. I don’t think I’ve even fully charged it yet. But I don’t use the light above 10. Sometimes books can get stuck indexing and cause battery drain. There’s a way to test described on this article: Kindle Indexing, Battery Drain, and Tips for Loading Lots of eBooks.
Yeah I often have brightness off, set to 6 for night reading o at 12 if it’s dim.
Thanks for the link Nathan, I’ll check that out
Nothing stuck “unfortunately “
Do you think they will sell previous versions of paperwhite cheaper or they have emptied their stock?
They were mostly sold out before the new ones got released. Amazon doesn’t usually lower the price of older models once new ones come out. Some cheap new/refurbished ones might turn up on Woot at some point, though.