My “new Kindle” senses are starting to tingle. I have no inside knowledge and there haven’t been any leaks yet, but I would be willing to bet a large sum that Amazon is going to unveil at least one new Kindle in the next few weeks.
Last year Amazon announced the new Kindle Paperwhite 5 on September 21st. That’s when they started accepting pre-orders for an October 27th release.
Amazon could replace the entry-level Kindle with an upgraded version, especially since the current model is nearly 3.5 years old now, but the Kindle Oasis is in more need of an upgrade.
Frankly, it’s surprising they’ve gone this long without upgrading the Kindle Oasis since it’s supposed to be the flagship model. It’s been almost a full year since the latest Kindle Paperwhite was released, and it added several upgrades over the Kindle Oasis (better screen, USB-C port, much longer battery life, optional wireless charging) and it sells for a fraction of the price.
Could it mean that Amazon has no intention of upgrading the Kindle Oasis at all? Perhaps they have an entirely new model in the works, like when the Oasis replaced the Kindle Voyage as the premium model.
Personally, I’m hoping Amazon releases a new model with a completely revised design instead of just reusing the existing design and adding a few changes like they did last time. They’ve been using the exact same Kindle Oasis design since 2017 so hopefully they can come up with something better to use for the next half decade.
Kobo has come out with four different ereaders with similar asymmetrical designs since then, the Kobo Forma, the Kobo Libra H2O, the Kobo Libra 2, and the Kobo Sage, so you’d think Amazon could come up with more than one idea.
It also get confusing when companies keep using the same product names over and over again so it’s nice to have a new name with a new model to help differentiate it from earlier versions to make it easier to find covers and other accessories, as well as relevant user information.
Whatever they decide to call it, I just hope a new premium Kindle with page buttons gets released soon. The Oasis is clearly outdated and overpriced compared to the Kindle Paperwhite now so something needs to change.
“…. and it sells for a fraction of the price.”
Really….any price would be a fraction of the price…. (just kidding around)
But, yeah… I agree… it just “feels” that something should be coming out soon. And, it only makes sense that it would be the new Premium spot in the line up.
It seems that the only recourse is to come out with either a color, or note taking reader. (If I remember correctly, they were toying with the idea of a note taker, now that I think about it)
Unless its Amazing…I probably won’t abandon the Paperwhite quite yet.
I actually think that the conservative Amazon will go larger, 8 to 10 inches. Possibly a Kindle Kaleidoscope or some such if they go color. I sort of think they would like to monopolize digital textbooks…with note taking possible.
They could actually do well to go with a premium plastic shell instead of the metal body that gets hot and cold quickly.
I don’t know…. I think the digital textbook arena would be tough. Especially since most college students use a laptop or Multimedia tablet…or, both in tandem.
I think integrating handwritten notes into their own books is the best path for them.
It’s been long enough where they should be able to do that really well…which is kind of their bread and butter. Not being groundbreaking…but, doing things that others are already doing, but doing it really well.
I can only think of the front light as an example of that right now.
But, it’s hard to disagree that their e-reader experience, in of itself, is one of the best. Although they have stagnated a bit.
7.8 Oasis, retaining Cellular connectivity and thicker with better battery and USB-C would be aces.
I don’t use my Oasis anymore because mine just drains battery at random to where I can’t trust it for a vacation and I don’t bring micro-USB anymore because it’s the only thing I still have that uses that.
I use my Paperwhite 5 all the time now over the Oasis 2. It’s just a better device overall, and if it had cellular and some hardware page buttons, I’d be set.
The basic Kindle 2019 (10th Gen) is currently unavailable on amazon.co.uk and has been unavailable for the last week or two. It states: “We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock”. Not sure if that’s the same situation on amazon.com in the U.S., but I think it could be a sign that there may be a new basic Kindle in the near future?
We seem to have both black and white available. Maybe unrelated..maybe not.
Are you sure about that? Just after I posted my original comment, out of curiosity I had a look on amazon.com. It appears to be the same situation as here in the U.K. with only refurbished units for sale. New units are listed as Currently Unavailable with the same “we don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock” message. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07978J597?ref=MarsFS_KINDLE_kindle
Weird. All variations are showing up as in stock for me.
I like my Oasis because I prefer the page turn buttons. However, it’s definitely time for a refresh.
USB C would be a big improvement and a longer lasting battery too.
I agree with Steve H. The metal back is not comfortable to hold. I purchased a plastic backing to use as a case. It just covers the back so it doesn’t add weight or bulk and it’s more pleasant to hold.
I just want page turn buttons on the traditional shaped Kindle.
It would be nice to have that option again.
It would have to be something really fantastic in order for me to abandon my Voyage. In any event, my next premium ereader is likely to be a Kobo Sage to replace my Forma. My wife has no intention of buying a new Kindle ereader when the four Oases we currently have wear out. She’d go for a Kobo Clara 2e or something like that.
Today, Sept 3, just the basic is on sale here in Mexico. If this means anything or not is impossible to tell. But interesting that just the basic is on sale and not the PW5.
Yeah, they’re definitely clearing them out. It’s been on sale here for awhile too, except the black version with ads for some reason.
Maybe people are finally figuring out they don’t have to waste money on the ad-free versions as they can get the ads removed for free?
I also think we’ll see something new, but what, hard to say. It does seem like they’ve left the larger reader market wide open to others and maybe they will finally do something about that. However, my Oasis 2 (2017) still works fine and as it is a secondary reader, it would have to be something really spectacular to get me to buy unless there was a VERY nice trade-in deal.
Color, at least at the current state, I don’t care about. Larger screen, I’d like, but I *have* that with Forma and Sage. And both Forma and Sage are really nice in the hand.
Being able to write on ebooks is not something I care much about and if I did, Sage has the capability if I wanted to spring for a stylus.
I do think that, in spite of the jump to 6.8″ with the Paperwhite, if they do anything with a premium reader, they ought to go to 7.8″ or 8″ at the least since they’ve done nothing for their customers who need larger readers since Kindle DX. And I’m sure they’d include buttons. However, they might alienate the folks who don’t want to go large. So who knows?
I suppose they could consider a basic Kindle with a 5″ screen for the market that likes utterly pocketable e-readers, but what with smartphones, I can’t imagine that is a huge market these days.
I guess we’ll all find out eventually.
The battery on the Sage is awful though. I’m kind of glad my screen broke after a month or so so I could replace it with another Kindle Oasis. A sage with a working battery would be perfect – an instant buy for me…
Battery on my Sage has been good enough. I agree it could be better, but my eyes really, really appreciate that screen! And that’s the point of e-readers for me, to pamper my eyes so I can keep reading until I die. At my age, even with a less than great battery, there’s still a chance the e-reader will live longer than I will, LOL!
First in order of importance is a new OS that returns the library screen to text only showing 8 or more titles per page. Absolute first importance. Then in no particular order other things that should absolutely be included.
2. Must have page turn buttons.
3. Should have traditional shape like PW.
4. Must retain lighting configurations, controls and options of current device.
5. Better battery life by 50% minimum improvement.
6. Memory being practically free should have 32GB minimum, perhaps also a 64GB option should users desire it.
7. Come into line with other ereaders with options like sort by size, date added etc.
8. Screen increased at least 1 inch in size.
There are probably more but those come immediately to mind.
I would think that for the most part, large memories on ereaders is not that necessary since they can hold thousands of books already, but offering a versions with more memory for those who want it makes more sense. Large storage makes more sense for note taking devices.
I’m mostly interested in a new Oasis because my husband also has an Oasis 2 and I think it might be good for his sleep quality to have a reader with a warm front light as his reading is primarily before bed. He’s a hard dude to shop for, so upgrading his Kindle for Christmas might be an idea.
The only catch is I’m not sure if he’d like a larger reader or not. He might, but then again, he might not. He’s not always keen on change. I’d probably just get it for him, and if he hated it, return. (Or adopt it myself, LOL!)
As long as we are dreaming, I will gladly take a large-screen new Oasis (or a large-screen anything with physical buttons). It is long overdue. Do I think Amazon will do it? I will be pleasantly surprised, but surprised nevertheless. I still buy books from Amazon, but I have decided that if they don’t come up with something new and exciting by the end of this year, I am taking the plunge with a Kobo Sage. I have waited long enough for a new Kindle. I am at peace with my decision 🙂
If they do a large kindle, I hope they go back to the old style page turn buttons, but doubt they ever will again. I miss the DX though screen would probably feel low res today. I’ve been primarily using the s5e tablet for reading since it came out, but a decent large screen kindle could bring me back to Eink again. Bought the Kobo Elipsa when it came out and did not like it.
I really hope they will introduce new Oasis with smaller bezzels/bigger screen in the same body, USB-C, better battery and automatic yellow light (with sensor). Other than that I’m pretty happy with current Oasis, love the shape and metal back. If they ditched metal back, that would probably be a deal breaker for me.
Now that the basic has been released and no news of an Oasis, have a bad feeling that may be it for the year. Just a feeling. Ugh.
I have since ditched my Kindle Oasis for just using my phone’s Kindle app. Why? It was all about the battery. It was just not dependable. If they had filled in the space between the gap on the back out to the edge with batteries, then I bet it would have been fine. But, no, they wanted to “keep it [awkwardly] thin.” What a horrible waste. 🤦♂️
All kindles have went on sale on Amazon UK today – oasis has £50 off. Is this a sign that we are heading towards a new kindle release on Wednesday? I think so!
It’s surprising how many people expect a new Kindle Oasis to get released soon. But it’s clearly obvious that’s not going to happen. Amazon really botched another opportunity to give Kindle users what they want.
An 8 inch kindle Paperwhite, page turn button and usb-c charger thats all i want.