Amazon's new Kindle lineup features its first color e-reader, a faster Paperwhite, and more — here's how to preorder

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It’s official: Amazon is revamping its entire Kindle lineup with four new devices, and now, color is in the mix. It's been several years since Amazon’s last e-reader update, so this long-awaited announcement is full of exciting new features that readers will love.

The Kindle Colorsoft is the brand’s most exciting new addition, finally bringing a color-display option to the Kindle collection. Amazon also announced a Kindle Scribe redesign, plus new generation models of the Kindle Paperwhite and base Kindle. The latter two are available now, while the Colorsoft and Scribe are up for preorder.

I’ve broken down full details on each new Kindle below, plus how they improve upon their predecessors.

Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon’s first foray into color e-readers is called the Kindle Colorsoft, a model boasting the same performance readers love from Kindles, plus a paper-like color screen. It’s not the first of its kind — Kobo offers two of its own devices in Colour variants — but it is unique in its display-enhancing features.

Amazon says that the Kindle Colorsoft’s LED lighting system and custom algorithms can emphasize color and brightness without washing out details. This has been a major downfall of competing color e-readers, so I’m curious to see if this system offers a noticeable improvement. It also promises smooth zoom functionality without pixelating images and even color style customization so that readers can opt between standard and vibrant.

One of the new device’s most exciting features for longtime Kindle users like me is its wireless charging. It still boasts the Kindle’s usual weeks of battery life, but now it can be juiced up without needing a pesky plug. It’s also waterproof.

The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is available for preorder starting at $280. Amazon hasn’t announced any other versions of the Colorsoft, but the “Signature Edition” branding suggests a standard model may be available in the future, perhaps for less. The Kindle Colorsoft officially launches on October 30.

Kindle Scribe with redesigned display

The new Kindle Scribe seeks to add even more smart features to the brand’s writable e-reader. Its display has been redesigned with white borders to give a wider page feel but maintains the same 300 ppi resolution and 10.2-inch size.

New capabilities include Active Canvas, which allows readers to write notes directly onto the page (a feature the first Kindle Scribe model sorely lacked) while the text adapts to flow around it.

The redesigned Kindle Scribe also comes with a built-in AI-powered notebook, which can turn large quantities of notes into quick bulleted lists that are easy to share. Handwritten notes can also be converted into typed script font.

The Kindle Scribe with redesigned display is now available to preorder. The 16GB version starts at $400 and includes a premium pen. It’s also available in two colors: tungsten and metallic jade. It will start shipping on December 4.

Kindle Paperwhite (12th Generation)

Amazon’s fastest and most popular Kindle is about to get even faster with the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite. It promises even snappier performance with 25% faster page turns — a strong statement for what was already one of the smoothest performing e-readers on the market.

In addition, the new Paperwhite offers the highest contrast ratio of any Kindle, so images and text should be even easier to see on the page. Its screen is also slightly larger, now seven inches rather than 6.8, while the e-reader itself is also thinner. Opting for the pricier Signature Edition will also get you wireless charging capabilities.

The previous-generation Kindle Paperwhite has long been my pick for the best Kindle overall, so I’m excited to see how this new model performs in hand. The 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite is now available in three colors: black, jade, and raspberry, and it starts at $160.

Kindle (11th Generation)

The base Kindle is a great way to enter the Kindle ecosystem on a budget. The new 11th-generation version maintains the same overall design and display size as the 2022 model but boasts faster page turns, a higher contrast ratio, and a 25% brighter front light. However, just like the previous generation, the new Kindle is not waterproof, and it lacks the adjustable warm light that other Kindles have.

The new 11th-generation Kindle is available now, starting at $110. It is available in black and matcha.

Kindle 2024 lineup specs