Here’s an interesting development. The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is no longer available to purchase from Amazon. The page says it’s currently unavailable, and it’s not just the US website—it’s the same story on Amazon UK and several of Amazon’s other regional websites.
Of course it could just be a supply issue, but Amazon hasn’t had any problems keeping Kindles in stock for a long time now, and none of their other models are out of stock. When this kind of thing happens it usually means Amazon is in the process of discontinuing the model in question.
The Kindle Colorsoft was first released in October of 2024 so Amazon might have a new version coming out soon. It’s not uncommon for Kindles to get replaced after 2 years, although the Paperwhite usually lasts about 3 years before they replace it.
The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is still available to purchase from Amazon; it’s only the Signature Edition that’s gone. They’re no longer selling it new, but they’re still selling refurbished units for $243.99, and they’ve been on sale for the past week like they’re trying to get rid of those too.
It makes you wonder if Amazon decided to discontinue the SE now that it’s $320 after the recent price increase. Maybe they’re just going to sell the 16GB version now. Or maybe they just didn’t have as many Signature Editions left in stock since it’s an older version, and they ran out before a new version could take its place. Either way, something is going on. Amazon didn’t just decide to stop selling the Colorsoft SE across multiple websites for no reason.
I think there’s a good chance Amazon will release some new Kindles soon, and a new Colorsoft could be among the new Kindles released. Some people think Amazon has to release new Kindles to conform with a new law in the EU that goes into effect in early 2027, but that law likely doesn’t apply to Kindles (nobody seems to know for sure), and it certainly doesn’t apply to models that’ve already been released so it’s not like they have to replace their existing lineup before the deadline. But Amazon has already added code to Kindles that references battery replacement kits so they might be preparing to conform to the law regardless. If so, they might be releasing multiple new Kindles soon.
It surprised me that Amazon wasn’t accepting my Colorsoft SE as a trade-in option during the big July sale. I guess now I know why. Seems like they’re anxious to be rid of it entirely.
If Amazon is going to release a Gen 2 Colorsoft, I might be encouraged to buy if the color quality is better. Considering the price increase on current models, I fear what the price would be for a brand new model.
Amazon doesn’t accept current models for trade.
In germany still available for just 224,99€
Surely you have contacts in industry, do some digging, figure this out.
Why would Nathan have industry contacts? I think he gets stuff througb the same routes as everyone else…
I don’t want to have contacts with any of the companies I cover because then they try to control what you say and how you say it. That’s one of the reasons why I refuse to accept free review units.