Amazon released the current Kindle Paperwhite model in October of 2021, so it’ll be turning 3 years old in a few months, and Amazon usually comes out with a new version every 3 years.
Given that, there’s a good chance of a new Kindle Paperwhite getting released later this year, and considering the fact that Amazon didn’t release any new Kindles at all last year, the odds are good something new will get released this year, and since the other Kindle models were released in 2022, the Paperwhite is the most likely one to get updated.
But the more I think about it, the more uncertain I am of what kind of “upgrades” a new Paperwhite could get, given how slowly ereaders evolve.
The current Kindle Paperwhite 5 brought the most changes to the Paperwhite line; most other version updates only changed a few details.
With the Paperwhite 5, Amazon changed to a larger 6.8″ E Ink screen, whereas all the earlier models had 6″ screens, and they also added a frontlight with warm temperature control, along with a USB-C port, support for dual-band WiFi, and they added a Signature Edition model with wireless charging and an auto-brightness sensor. They also made the Paperwhite 5 20% faster than the previous model.
At this point, what would they change with a Paperwhite 6 model?
Potential Upgrades
The 6.8″ screen size seems to be a hit with customers so I don’t see Amazon changing that on a new model, and the new Carta 1300 screens from E Ink have worse contrast than Carta 1200 screens, so they certainly aren’t the upgrade that people were hoping for (frankly, I’d rather see them stick with Carta 1200 screens).
The one thing Amazon could do to improve the screen is to use a better flush layer. The past two Paperwhite models have a plastic front layer that’s not a clear as glass, and it’s more fingerprint and smudge prone. The screen would look better if they went back to using glass like on the Oasis and Voyage.
Amazon could add stylus support too, like Kobo did with the Libra Colour. I think some people would be interested in that, and Amazon could make a lot of extra money selling the stylus separately.
One thing Amazon really needs to fix is the location of the power button. It’s always been on the bottom edge of Paperwhite models and it’s just too easy to accidentally press.
I think the Paperwhite could benefit from having external speakers as well, for those that listen to audiobooks or text-to-speech (VoiceView). A lot of ereaders have external speakers these days, but Kindles do not.
I know a lot of people would like Kindles to get expandable storage, but that’s not going to happen so there’s no use hoping for it. I would also like to see Amazon release a Paperwhite with page buttons or page button sensors like the Voyage had, but that’s not likely to happen either.
What new features would you like to see on the next Kindle Paperwhite?
The feature I want is the Text to Speech like the Fire tablet has. I can’t use what the kindle has now, it is just too frustrating.
I can’t get excited about an updated Paperwhite. It’s a boring device. I keep hoping they will release something new with physical buttons and a larger screen and, yes, text to speech with speakers will be nice. But I have been waiting for a long time, so not holding my breath….
The updates I’d like to see are:
1. The glass screen you mentioned, it just feels cheap and I want a premium kindle device, at least make the SE version have a glass screen.
2. I’d really love to see a magnet system on it, I’d like to be able to magnetically snap it into a case for traveling and I’d like to be able at home to easily switch that out for a magnetic pop socket or love handle like way to hold it upside down reading in bed. I’ve never seen this full system on an eReader, but guy can dream right?
I just want it to have page turn buttons. Make them an option so people can buy with or without them. The Voyage was the last tradition shape Kindle that was not touch screen only and it was released a decade ago.
At this point, page turn buttons are the only thing I care about.
I want the Kindle Oasis design, but with color, faster processor, more memory, textured back, bigger battery and preferably an easy way to open non-Kindle books in the Kindle reading app from a microSD card. Give us a microSD card slot, Amazon. I love the Boox Color 7, but I want it with Amazon Kindle software.
I want better software, especially for font and page layout. The steps for font sizes are too large, and the minimum margin settings for the left and right borders still leave too much unused space. These two issues combined lead to a poor use of the available screen real estate compared to the Kobo. This is why I switched to Kobo.
I don’t understand what you mean by external speakers since technically anything connected to the kindle via Bluetooth would be an external speaker. Unless you mean some sort of physical plug to connect speakers or headsets. But now that most headsets and speakers are Bluetooth, I don’t think there is any practical use a physical plug. Having built-in speakers would probably sound horrible. So, allowing Bluetooth connection give the use the freedom t use what works best for them. It would be nice if they used the latest Bluetooth. I agree with the other person about improving the UI for voiceview. I would think the one single upgrade they could add of significance would be a color screen of some sort. Maybe upgrade the RAM on the devices so they could work more smoothly and faster. I do think other than color and some hardware enhancements, the current line of devices are solid enough. Maybe they could spend the year working on the software instead. Improving on the stability, fixing little bugs and expand the features of the Scribe.
I think the only thing that would entice the vast majority of people to buy the next new paperwhite would be a color screen. Color is the next big thing in the industry everyone wants to make the next widely popular e reader.
All the other updates discussed are niche type stuff to all but the most core kindle users. I’d love to have a symmetrical design with buttons but I don’t think that will ever come back.
I would prefer them to go back to an indented bezel, as it has better contrast, and for the love of God please give us…
– More font sizes
– More margins
– More line-spacing options
Please Amazon geez!!!!!
What else could come? I’ll bet that Amazon will come aroind the corner with a color screen. The new name would be something like “Amazons new Papercolor e-reader” or ” Amazons new Paperwhite with Color”. Beside that I do not think much internal hardware will change. Just my 5 pence….
Wireless charging (I hate charging leads)
Move the on/off button to the top
Page turn buttons on both sides
A little faster in operation
Higher quality leather cover – real leather
I just want a Bluetooth page tuner. Amazon could have a company like Anker make it for them just like they had them make the charging dock for the Paperwhite SE.
Page turn buttons! So tired of turning the page accidentally. And of course, a new location for the power button.
A stylus that includes remote page turn functionality!
Move the power button! I keep accidentally turning it off.
I would like support for a Bluetooth page turned without adding a device to the side of the kindle and relocation of the power button.
Move the power button.
Add page turn buttons.
The thing I hate the most about the current paperwhite is the power button at the bottom. Terrible design!