Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version Evaluation: For the Severe Reader

Again in September 2021, Amazon launched its new Kindle Paperwhite (11^th Gen) and a Paperwhite Signature Version with further options. Beforehand up to date again in 2018, the Kindle Paperwhite (tenth Gen) acquired an IPX8 score and non-compulsory LTE capabilities. The brand new Kindle Paperwhite (eleventh Gen) maintains the IPX8 score and has a much bigger show with an adjustable heat frontlight, a USB Sort-C port, and a barely greater battery than the earlier mannequin, however solely Wi-Fi connectivity. The Signature Version, which is the one we’ll be reviewing right this moment, builds on the usual Kindle Paperwhite and provides extra storage together with different helpful options.

I’ve been utilizing the Signature Version of the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) for just a few weeks, and it is easy to conclude that it gives good worth for cash at Rs. 17,999 in comparison with the Kindle Oasis (2019), which is priced increased at Rs. 21,999 for its barely bigger show, extra buttons and premium construct high quality. Regardless of the Signature Version’s comparatively cheap value, I nonetheless discover that it’ll solely attraction to a choose set of consumers. This is why.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version (2021) construct high quality and design

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version seems to be an identical to the usual Kindle Paperwhite. It has a plastic chassis with a rubberised texture on the again for grip. A small design change that simply differentiates the 2021 fashions from earlier ones is that there is only one large, curved arrow (or smile)  now as an alternative of the Amazon brand on the again panel. The marginally greater 1,700mAh battery provides to the brand new Kindle’s weight of 204g which continues to be very gentle.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2015 (left) and Kindle Paperwhite 2021 Signature Version (proper) facet by facet

The largest design change to the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is on the entrance. The bezels on the perimeters and above the show have been lowered drastically when in comparison with the earlier mannequin. The house beneath the display screen continues to be fairly broad, however the total lowered bezel dimension along with the bigger show (that sits flush with the entrance face), offers the brand new Paperwhite a sleeker profile and a contemporary look. There is a barely raised border working alongside the perimeters which ought to present some safety for the display screen when the gadget is positioned face-down.

The brand new brand on the again of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version (2021)

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version has a Sort-C charging port on the backside, subsequent to the facility button. The IPX8 score ought to present safety “towards unintended immersion in as much as two metres of recent water for as much as 60 minutes, and as much as 0.25 metres of seawater for as much as three minutes,” as per Amazon. Briefly, it ought to survive just a few splashes of water or a light-weight drizzle, nevertheless it’s greatest if you happen to do not attempt utilizing it underwater.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version (2021) show and efficiency

The 6.8-inch show is kind of large and the slimmer borders across the high and sides make it extra distinguished in comparison with any previous-generation Paperwhite. It maintains the 300ppi pixel density of older fashions and nonetheless has a matte glass body round it. This glass is kind of liable to smudges, and fingerprints are noticeable right here. The show is kind of sharp and the legibility of textual content is great in all varieties of studying circumstances. Whether or not you’re out in a park on a shiny sunny day or indoors, the show seems like paper and makes for a strain-free studying expertise.

The sunshine is adjustable, so you’ll be able to change the shade from white to a heat yellow

A brand new function is the auto-adjustable heat frontlight. You possibly can change the color temperature of the show, and there are 24 ranges between white and yellow, making studying much more comfy at night time. Color temperature choice can also be obtainable on the usual Kindle Paperwhite (2021), however solely the Signature Version can robotically adapt to surrounding lighting circumstances. It is a helpful function and it labored nicely, each indoors and outside. The frontlight even switches off totally when not wanted. If you happen to hate adjusting it manually or are within the behavior of shifting round whereas studying, this function alone will make for a worthy improve from any previous-generation Kindle you personal. Do word that maintaining it switched on will have an effect on battery life.

The slender bezels on both facet did not find yourself being superb for ergonomics. It is because I usually touched the display screen and unintentionally turned pages, as there’s little or no house to position your thumb when holding the gadget, however this might be completely different for different customers relying on habits.

A brand new swipe-down menu gives fast entry to toggles for Airplane mode and WhisperSync, and the Settings web page

A firmware replace final September introduced a few new software program options to just lately launched Kindles (seventh by tenth technology Paperwhites included). The interface additionally acquired an overhaul. There’s now a swipe-down menu (very like the notifications tray on Android telephones), which could be accessed from anyplace by tapping or swiping downwards from the highest of the show. It gives fast entry to toggles for Airplane mode and WhisperSync, and the Settings web page.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version additionally has a Darkish Mode button in the identical drop-down menu. This mainly inverts colors, providing you with white textual content on a darkish background. I discovered it fairly helpful when studying at night time because it cuts down on glare coming from the frontlight. I want that the Darkish Mode on the Kindle additionally labored in sync with the adjustable gentle function, and might be activated robotically after sundown. The software program expertise on the whole feels as responsive and easy as on earlier fashions (perhaps even a bit sooner), nevertheless it’s nonetheless an e-ink show and will not really feel as fluid as right this moment’s smartphones.

The Darkish mode helps cut back glare from the frontlight when studying at night time

Battery life on the whole was fairly good. Your expertise will rely so much in your utilization, particularly the brightness of the frontlight and the way usually your gadget is linked to Wi-Fi. With my informal utilization (about an hour each day), I didn’t must cost it in the course of the assessment interval, and was left with roughly 60 % after two weeks. Severe readers who use this gadget for a few hours per day can count on to go about two weeks between costs, which continues to be wonderful.

Wi-fi charging is supported, and labored as anticipated with a typical Qi wi-fi charger for smartphones. Putting the unit on a wi-fi charging dock throws up a small pop-up with an animation exhibiting that the gadget is being charged. The one catch is that the Kindle (being so much broader than most smartphones) have to be positioned with its actual centre making contact together with your wi-fi charger, for this to work.

The brand new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version has 32 GB of storage out of which 27.3GB is usable. For many customers, the 8GB capability of the usual Kindle Paperwhite (2021) will probably be enough, however in case you are a voracious reader and wish to have a tonne of books accessible on a regular basis, the 32GB of the Signature Version is likely to be of use.

Verdict

Priced at Rs. 17,999, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is well worth the value contemplating its 32GB storage and all the additional options it gives over the usual model. The auto-adjusting frontlight and wi-fi charging are fairly helpful when you get into the behavior of utilizing them, however they may solely attraction to a distinct segment crowd. Extra helpful updates reminiscent of the bigger show with thinner bezels and USB Sort-C port are additionally obtainable on the usual Kindle Paperwhite (2021), which retails for Rs. 4,000 much less. In the meantime, the Kindle Oasis (2019) stays essentially the most premium Kindle expertise, with extra color choices, a premium ergonomic design, devoted buttons for turning pages, and non-compulsory free 4G connectivity.

Execs

• 32GB of storage
• Auto-adjusting frontlight brightness
• Glossy physique
• USB Sort-C port
• Wonderful battery life
• Wi-fi charging

Cons

• Slim bezels make it barely inconvenient to carry

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