Now that Amazon has finally released a Kindle with a color E Ink screen, let’s compare it to the most popular Kindle model, the Kindle Paperwhite, to see how the two devices stack up against each other and help determine if the color screen is worth the extra cost or not.
First off, the Kindle Colorsoft is basically a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with a color E Ink screen. It includes all the upgrades of the SE model—wireless charging, auto brightness, double the storage space, no ads—and it has all the same features as the Paperwhite.
See here for the full review of the Kindle Paperwhite 6. I’ll add a link to the Colorsoft review when it gets finished.
Design
The overall design of both models is exactly the same; the measurements are identical and the same covers fit both models.
One difference with the Colorsoft is it’s currently only available in black, whereas both versions of the Paperwhite are available in green (jade) and pink (raspberry) in addition to black.
The base Paperwhite has a rubbery coating on the back and sides. The SE and Colorsoft versions have a metallic finish that has a slicker feel. The rubbery coating has more grip, but the metallic coating looks nicer as it doesn’t show smudges and marks as easily.
Comparing Screens
Both models have 7″ E Ink screens with 300 ppi, but the Colorsoft has a color Kaleido 3 screen with 150 ppi for color.
As is the case with all Kaleido 3 screens, there are some drawbacks. There’s a color filter layer over a regular black and white screen, and the added layer makes the screen look darker, especially when the frontlight is off. You can also see the color grid layer if you look closely. It makes the screen look just a little bit less clear.
Text contrast is better on the Paperwhite’s screen, with darker blacks and a lighter background. The difference is very obvious with the frontlights off, but its less noticeable with them on.
Frontlights
The frontlights look completely different on the two units I have. The Paperwhite’s frontlight has a yellower tone to it, whereas the frontlight on the Colorsoft has a bluer tone with the cool light and the amber light is darker. There’s also a yellow band on the Colorsoft’s screen that hopefully Amazon will fix on future units.
Frontlights are notorious for being inconsistant among the same model so it’s hard to put much stock in a comparison. But I prefer the Paperwhite’s light because it’s more subtle and it has a more natural look to it than the blue tone on the Colorsoft.
Dark Mode
One key difference, the Colorsoft lacks full Dark Mode. It only inverts the text within ebooks (and sometimes the borders with comics), but it doesn’t invert the menus and full interface like Dark Mode on the Paperwhite.
Performance
The overall speed and response of the two devices seems to be the same for most things. Page turn speeds are the same for ebooks, except when there’s color content on the screen. Whenever there’s color on the page, even if it’s just a highlight or a link, page refresh is slower on the Colorsoft’s screen, so stuff like comics is always is bit slower to turn pages.
Battery Life
Amazon gives different estimates for battery life on both models. They say the Colorsoft can last up to 8 weeks on a single charge and the Paperwhite can last up to 12 weeks.
It’s too soon to add anything to the conversation about battery life, and I have to switch between different models so often for reviews it’s hard to tell anyway. Let’s just assume the Paperwhite has an edge in that regard.
Price
Amazon is charging a much higher premium for color than other companies. Most color models are only $20-$30 more expensive than their equivelent black and white models, but Amazon is charging $80 more for the Colorsoft than the equivelent Signature Edition Paperwhite, and it’s $120 more than the base Kindle Paperwhite.
The Kindle Colorsoft has a retail price of $279 in the US. The Kindle Paperwhite starts at $159 for the ad-supported 16GB model, and the upgraded Signature Edition sells for $199.
But you haven’t make an analysis of colorsoft yet
Am I the only one who uses a cover? I don’t understand why anyone cares what color the device is when it’s going into a cover. I’ve used a Kindle or Nook from their beginnings, with covers. They’ve been tossed into bags and purses. I’ve never had one break. I’d love a color one if I want using a cover, but I am.
Amazon’s covers are open on the top and bottom so you still see the color, and the color wraps around to the front edge as well. I like using covers sometimes, but at home I’d usually rather just hold the device by itself without the added weight of the case. I like the Kindle Scribe’s case where it attaches with magnets and it’s easy to take off.