Amazon has announced its latest ereader tablet, the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite, with updated features and a larger screen. The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite remains Amazon's middle-of-the-line e-reader between the basic Kindle and the Kindle Oasis. Starting at $139 (about $100 / AU$190), it costs a bit more than its predecessor, the Kindle Paperwhite 2019, which started at $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$199. The new Kindle Paperwhite packs improvements long-awaited over the previous model, such as replacing the micro-USB with a USB-C port and expanding the screen from 6 inches to 6,8 inches. However, it only has 8 GB of built-in storage. Even more intriguing is Amazon's decision to split its e-reader between the standard Kindle Paperwhite model and a significantly more expensive Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. While it effectively replaces the 32GB model of the old Paperwhite, it has several other bells and whistles, including wireless charging. Both models are Wi-Fi only, and it's unclear if there will be a 4G LTE (not to mention 5G) version of any Paperwhite e-reader. There's also a new Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition, which is...essentially the same model, but at a slightly higher price with compelling coverage of kids' devices and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, which includes access to thousands of books. (read and listen via Audible).
(Image credit: Avenir)
Kindle Paperwhite 2021 Price and Release Date
The Kindle Paperwhite 2021 is available for pre-order and goes on sale on October 27. The new Paperwhite is priced at €139 (around £100 / AU$190), a notable increase from the 2019 Paperwhite's starting price of £129 / £119 / AU$199. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is also available for pre-order now and it will be available for purchase from October 27. It costs €189 (around £139 / AU$259), which is also more expensive than the 32 Paperwhite's 2019GB model, which the Signature Edition has effectively replaced. The Kindle Paperwhite for Kids costs $159 (about $115 / AU$219) and includes a "kids case," according to Amazon. All three models are only available in black.
Kindle Paperwhite 2021: what's new?
The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite contains several improvements over the 2019 model, some more substantial than others. The big improvements are the expansion from a 6-inch screen to a 6,8-inch one, with smaller bezels surrounding the screen but with the same density of 300 pixels per inch. Amazon claims the display is 10% brighter at maximum brightness, and there's also adjustable warm light and white-on-black dark mode return.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (Image credit: Future) The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has an added perk for its display: an auto-adjusting front light that adjusts the display's brightness based on ambient light levels. Amazon claims the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition have up to 10 weeks of battery life, and while that's excessive or doesn't represent normal usage, it would still be an improvement over three weeks of battery life. Range we found in the 2019 model. The other big upgrade is the move from a Micro USB port to a USB-C port on both models, allowing either of the newer models to recharge in 2,5 hours at 9W charging speeds (probably the maximum). ). The Paperwhite Signature Edition also supports wireless charging. Both models also benefit from a redesigned Kindle interface, with more filtering and sorting options in the Library app. And by the end of the year, Paperwhite owners will have an easier time setting up their devices via the Kindle iOS and Android apps, which will receive updates later in 2021. From a specs standpoint, not much has changed from to the 2019 models: the standard Kindle Paperwhite has 8 GB of storage space, while the Paperwhite Signature Edition has 32 GB.
(Image credit: Avenir)
Kindle Paperwhite for Kids: An E-reader for Young Readers
Amazon also introduced the Kindle Paperwhite for Kids, an e-reader designed specifically for younger readers who might want something a bit more mature and reading-oriented than Amazon's Kindle for Kids. The Kids' Paperwhite is priced at €159 (around £115 / AU$219), which is significantly higher than the Kids' Kindle's price of £109 / £99 / (around AU$185). The new e-reader comes with the same two-year warranty as the Kindle for Kids, as well as a one-year subscription to the Amazon Kids Plus content service. It's also available for pre-order now and will go on sale on October 27. The Paperwhite for Kids inherits a lot from its adult-oriented siblings, including its 6,8-inch anti-glare display, IPX8 water resistance, and up to 10 weeks of battery life. So what sets the Kids Paperwhite apart from other Paperwhite models (and justifies its higher price than the new 2021 Paperwhite)? Two things: a kid-friendly device case included in the box, and that one-year Amazon Kids Plus membership. Considering Amazon Kids Plus costs €36 / £24 (around £49) for Prime members or €60 / £48 (around AU$82) for non-members, getting the Paperwhite is a small value. you plan to sign up anyway, especially if you're not already paying for Prime. Amazon Kids Plus gives subscribers access to thousands of books, including new releases and Audible audiobooks. It also has reading comprehension tools that provide instant definitions and a vocabulary builder that puts together all the definitions you want in one flash card style revision game. There are also reading achievement badges and parental controls. What makes Paperwhite for Kids different from Kindle for Kids? Mainly the advantages of using an eReader over a tablet: No games, ads, or other distractions (including most apps), allowing for a purer reading experience.