Desk of Contents
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version, regardless of the flowery identify, is an easy system. It is precisely the identical because the fifth-generation Kindle Paperwhite, however it prices $50 extra and has 4 upgrades: 32GB of reminiscence (up from 8GB), wi-fi charging, an robotically adjusting entrance mild, and no advertisements.
Since we already established that the usual Paperwhite is a nice e-reader, the main target of this evaluation is easy: To determine whether or not these 4 enhancements are value the additional cash.
A completely nice e-reader
My colleague Alex Perry reviewed the common fifth-gen Paperwhite, however listed here are my primary impressions (coming from somebody whose major e-reader prior to now was a second-gen Paperwhite).
The brand new Kindle Paperwhite is simply the appropriate dimension and sat completely in my hand. It is also seaside prepared, with an IPX8 ranking, which is a giant deal to me, particularly when in comparison with my iPad mini, which formally is not waterproof in any respect.
The USB-C charging port on the underside was a much-needed improve from the microUSB port on earlier Paperwhites.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
I’ve just one beef with the system’s design, and that is the truth that Amazon moved the ability button to the underside from the highest, which took some getting used to. (It is value noting that this alteration occurred on a earlier iteration of the Paperwhite.)
The brand new Paperwhite is lots quicker than my outdated mannequin, however it may very well be quicker nonetheless, particularly when searching by menus. The battery lasts endlessly, and having a USB-C port as a substitute of the outdated microUSB connector is a blessing.
In comparison with my historic, third technology Paperwhite, the brand new one is formed a bit extra like a typical guide, which is not a foul factor.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
One factor you will not get on this Kindle is advertisements. In comparison with advertisements on sure different units, commercials on the Kindle’s homescreen aren’t practically as intrusive, however I nonetheless want zero advertisements on one thing I paid for. You’ll be able to take away the advertisements from the bottom mannequin Kindle for an additional $20, however then the value distinction between the 2 is a mere $30, which implies it is best to actually take a look at the opposite extras you get with the Signature Version.
what they are saying about reminiscence: Extra is at all times higher. That mentioned, except you are a voracious reader, otherwise you continuously ship a bunch of periodicals to your Kindle, you will not want greater than 8GB. The Kindle Paperwhite SE has 32GB, which is overkill, however it’s comforting to know you may by no means have to fret about storage.
Whether or not wi-fi charging shall be value it for you relies upon solely on whether or not you usually use it in different eventualities. All Kindles have nice battery life, so you will not be charging them fairly often. I do have wi-fi chargers in my automobile and scattered throughout the home, so the power to only toss the Kindle onto them and have it cost is a pleasant, if marginal, enchancment.
The MagSafe is not the easiest way to cost your Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version, however it works!
Credit score: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Enjoyable truth: I attempted to cost the Kindle Paperwhite SE utilizing Apple’s MagSafe magnetic charger for the iPhone, and never solely does it work, however the charger sticks (although simply barely) to the Kindle prefer it does to the iPhone. Fairly nice.
The show, automated
The final large enchancment on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is the show.
The 6.8-inch, 300ppi show is sharp, crisp, lovely to have a look at, and will not tire your eyes even after lengthy studying classes. The bezels on the edges and high of system are far smaller than on the earlier iteration, however there’s nonetheless sufficient room to relaxation your fingers with out by chance flipping the web page.
The show now makes brightness changes by itself.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Now for the large distinction between the common and the SE model of the Paperwhite: Robotically adjusting entrance mild. The easiest way to elucidate the significance of this function is to think about smartphones: Actually each single fashionable smartphone has this function. You do not give it some thought a lot, but when somebody took the function away, you’d positively discover.
It is related on the Paperwhite. The show robotically units brightness relying on the quantity of sunshine in your atmosphere. I like studying in very dim mild, and the Kindle set the display’s brightness just about as I might do. The system helps darkish mode (shiny textual content on darkish background), and if I switched to that, it readjusted the brightness accordingly. I like the function and although I might stay with out it, I might be barely aggravated about having to regulate brightness manually once more.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version battery life
A single cost ought to have the Kindle Paperwhite lasting as much as 10 weeks. Whereas we did not run the e-reader for 10 weeks till it died, we are able to say it had glorious battery life primarily based on our utilization.
Is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version value it?
This can be as a result of I am biased from reviewing Apple units — Apple prices an arm and a leg for upgrades and additional options — however I really feel just like the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is value it.
For $50, you get no advertisements (a $20 worth), wi-fi charging, 32GB, and an improved show. None of it’s important, however it does really feel such as you’re getting a good worth in your cash.
