Is Amazon’s New Kindle Worth the Upgrade? New Colors, Faster Performance and More Storage

Amazon may be taking a cue from Apple’s iPhone strategy by encouraging Kindle owners to upgrade every two years—this time with new color options. For Kindle superfans, replacing an older device regularly could become as routine as upgrading a smartphone.

However, the comparison only goes so far. A Kindle costs much less than a smartphone because it is designed for one primary purpose: displaying e-books. That limited functionality also means each new Kindle upgrade needs to offer meaningful improvements to justify the expense.

What’s New in the Latest Kindle?

Unlike the second- and third-generation Kindle Scribe updates, the new Kindle does not introduce a redesigned homepage experience. It does include two of the Scribe’s AI-powered features:

• Previous Stories: Summarizes where you left off in a book.
• Ask This Book: Lets you ask questions about the story. This feature is coming soon.

The device also lacks the auto-adjusting light found on the Paperwhite and Colorsoft aluminum models. Its frontlight is slightly warmer than before, although it still does not provide a truly warm lighting experience.

Performance and Storage Upgrades

This is not a bad Kindle. Faster book-opening speeds, a somewhat warmer frontlight and double the storage make it a legitimate upgrade over the 2024 model.

For anyone who does not already own a Kindle but wants one of the most attractive models available, the new device could be a solid choice. Whether it is worth spending around $200 depends on how much you value the updated design, storage and performance.

Kindle Accessories and Compatibility

Kindle Page-Turning Cover — $80

The Kindle page-turning cover adds a page-turn button to the device. Neither the 2026 aluminum nor plastic Kindle models is compatible with this accessory, which makes the upgrade harder to justify for readers who want physical page-turn controls.

Kindle Click Remote Control — $35

The Kindle Click remote control costs $35 and provides another way to control page turns. Accessory compatibility may be an important consideration when choosing between the latest Kindle models.

Should You Buy the Aluminum or Plastic Kindle?

The plastic version may be a better value if you are willing to accept advertisements. Depending on your preference, it costs $20 to $40 less than the aluminum model, although it offers half the storage at 16GB.

Even with the lower price, the new plastic Kindle costs considerably more than basic Kindle models have typically cost during sales. The price difference may be easier to accept if you want the newest design and additional storage.

Who Should Buy the New Kindle?

The latest Kindle could make a good Christmas gift for someone who already has everything. It may also be a worthwhile upgrade if your current Kindle is beginning to lag or feels outdated.

Still, it may be worth waiting to see whether the Paperwhite or Colorsoft Signature Edition is a better fit. These are the only two models compatible with the new version mentioned here, making model selection especially important.

Final Verdict

The new Kindle offers faster performance, more storage, new color choices and access to select AI-powered reading features. It is a reasonable upgrade from the 2024 model, but the lack of auto-adjusting light and limited accessory compatibility reduce its appeal.

Hopefully, these Kindles will receive discounts during Black Friday. Until then, shoppers should compare the aluminum and plastic versions with the Paperwhite and Colorsoft Signature Edition before spending around $200.

Photo: Julian Cioccatu