Today Amazon announced the release of a new lower-priced Kindle Colorsoft along with a Kindle Colorsoft Kids bundle.
The new Kindle Colorsoft variant is basically a non-Signature Edition version of the original Colorsoft. It has 16GB of storage space instead of 32GB, and it lacks wireless charging and the auto-brightness sensor (I assume that means it lacks the new double-tap page turn feature too). It’s like the base Kindle Paperwhite except it doesn’t have ads.
The price for the 16GB Colorsoft is $249, which is $30 less than the upgraded version. Honestly, I was expecting it to be lower than that, but the fact that it’s ad-free by default helps a little since you don’t have to pay an extra $20 to go ad-free like you do with the base Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.
Amazon also released a Kindle Colorsoft Kids bundle for the new 16GB Colorsoft. It sells for $269. It includes the 16GB Kindle Colorsoft, a kid-friendly cover (with two designs to choose from), and an upgraded 2-year warranty. Plus it comes with a free 12-month subscription to Amazon Kids+ for access to content for kids aged 3-12.
I was just thinking the other day it was weird how Amazon didn’t sell a kids version of the Kindle Colorsoft. I’m sure kids will like the addition of color on their Kindles as children’s books often have colored illustrations.
Aside from the differences mentioned above, all the main specs and features are the same on the 16GB Colorsoft. It has a 7″ color E Ink screen with 300 ppi for black and white content and 150 ppi for color (the color filter reduces color resolution). It has a frontlight with adjustable color temperature too, and it’s waterproof (IPX8 rated). Battery life is rated at 8 weeks.
The new 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is only available in black, like the original. I don’t know why Amazon doesn’t sell the jade and raspberry colors like they do with the Paperwhite, which shares the exact same design and casing material, but maybe they’ll add those down the line.
Here’s the link to my Kindle Colorsoft review if you want to learn more about it (obviously the review is for the original model, not the new 16GB version, but all the main features are the same).
I assume the new Colorsoft will have the rubbery back that Nathan complained about the basic Paperwhite having. Something to think of before purchasing. Of course, any kind of cover or case will get around that.
It’s too bad the Colorsoft Kids edition wasn’t available at launch, probably to minimize losses in case the Colorsoft flopped. I like the covers available. I have the 2021 Kids Paperwhite and I love the look and feel of the cover a lot more then any other official or 3rd party cover.
The rubbery back isn’t necessarily bad, it just shows smudges and marks more than the added coating on the Signature Edition. Some people probably prefer the rubbery coating more, but I like the SE finish better.
I wonder if this will fix the issues that plagued the color soft. I can’t imagine Amazon going to another PR debacle. Also, what is it with Amazon against premium devices? Seems like they’re catering to a budget customer the same way they did with their fire devices
Either premium doesn’t sell well enough or since Amazon is so vocal about all the recycled material used in building the Kindle line, you can’t make a premium device with recycled material. I never liked the design of the Oasis but I would love a second gen Voyage.
I mean why would they sell premium devices, if people are dumb enough to buy low cost devices for premium price now. Colorsoft costs the same as Oasis, but it’s all plastic instead of aluminum and glass, it has not page turn buttons, it has worse screen contrast, almost every unit has defective screen… Yet people keep buying it for premium…
Good point. It just occurred to me they’re using an entirely separate page for the new 16GB version instead of just adding an option for it on the 32GB page, and now when you click on the Colorsoft links at Amazon it goes to the new page. I’m sure they did that because of all the negative reviews on the original Colorsoft’s page. Now they have a reason to reset the counter all over again. They better have fixed the frontlight on the new version because color E Ink is always going to garner some negative reviews just because of the lower contrast and grainier appearance.
What’s interesting is that the 16 GB and 32 GB colorsofts are available for sale directly from Amazon Mexico. Yet, the Scribe is still not available. Amazon Mexico doesn’t offer any kids versions. Also, there are no bundles. Checking the Amazon USA website, at least for now, they don’t have the 32 GB colorsoft on its own, just in bundles.
It’s available in Australia finally… 😊
Competitors are selling complete e-ink tablet, with android 14, google play store, writing and drawing features – yet. More important: for the same price. Probably their user experience is not reliable as much as amazon, but at least their screen are not yellow and their prices are fair.
Let’s be honest: amazon has abandoned e-reader market and their customers. A “cheaper” Colorsoft, same restrictions of the signature, less features, just 30 bucks less than Signature edition? The final insult.
Here are the price difference in Canada
264,99 $ Colorsoft 16go
309,99 $ Colorsoft Signature 32 go
45$ dollars less for the Colorsoft 16go
It’s still not cheap…
184,99$ for the Paperwhite.