Desk of Contents
Kindle customers is likely to be essentially the most passionate sect of BookTok, arising with hacks to maximise the gadget’s potential — by way of web page turners or Stuff Your Kindle Day occasions. And we get it, they’re the greatest e-readers on the market. In 2024, Amazon launched a brand new line-up of Kindles that improved upon the earlier era, which we already liked.
I’ve examined the Kindle Paperwhite, and spoiler alert, I do assume it is a greater worth than the Signature Version. Nevertheless, the SE is not with out its deserves. Let’s get into the Signature Version and if you should purchase it over the essential Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite.
It has all of the perks of the Paperwhite and extra
It is practically unimaginable to inform the distinction between the Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Version.
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The Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Version are primarily the identical gadget, the Signature Version simply has the addition of some particular options. You may learn all of the in-depth particulars about why we just like the Paperwhite in my overview, however here is the TL;DR.
The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version is lightning quick. Compared to the 2021 version, the distinction is noticeable, not hesitating when flipping by way of pages. Nevertheless, the largest enchancment comes when switching between books in your library, because it zips by way of duties.
With a 7-inch display, the SE acquired a slight dimension enhance, whereas the decision of 300 ppi and most brightness of 94 nits stay the identical between generations. That being mentioned, the show on this era appears greater distinction, making it sharper and simpler to learn. Plus it stays waterproof, excellent for taking alongside to the bath, seaside, or pool.
To not point out it comes with 32GB of storage. In case you’re pondering by way of telephones or tablets, that quantity of storage may appear small however take into account that 32GB has the potential to carry as much as 32,000 e-books.
You get all of those nice options in each the Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Version, so what makes the SE distinctive?
The identical nice battery life because the Kindle Paperwhite
Kindles are unbeatable on one entrance: battery life. The Kindle Paperwhite and Signature Version boast the identical battery lifetime of as much as 12 weeks. The Signature Version can go months with out charging, but it surely does not have an extended life than the usual Paperwhite. The one battery life bonus you get with the Signature Version is its wi-fi charging capabilities.
The Paperwhite Signature Version has a number of added options that include its $40 enhance in worth. For $199.99, it comes with an ad-free lock display, 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting brightness, and wi-fi charging. Plus it is available in metallic variations of the Kindle Paperwhite’s black, jade, and raspberry.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version affords a extra vibrant twist on jade.
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No lockscreen advertisements
Among the many added options, the lock display is the largest draw. On a typical Kindle, advertisements pop up on the lock display, forcing Amazon’s suggestions on you. Not essentially a dealbreaker, however nonetheless a lot annoying. So the Signature Version does away with the advertisements, releasing you from the chains of capitalism (form of). Nevertheless, this does include one catch. The ad-free lock display tends to unlock simply when tossing it right into a bag since there isn’t any ‘swipe to unlock’ mechanism that the ad-enabled units have. So if you are going to get the Signature Version, be certain that to get a case with a canopy.
Auto-adjusting brightness
When it comes to the opposite options, I did not assume they had been something to write down house about. The auto-adjusting brightness did not work constantly, even once I went from studying subsequent to a lamp to turning off the lights, the auto-adjustment did not kick in and I at all times needed to manually flip the brightness down.
Wi-fi charging
The wi-fi charging whereas good, did not really feel like essentially the most crucial addition since you’ll want to cost the gadget each three months. Plus, with most units utilizing USB-C as of late, I am by no means briefly provide of chargers.
Magsafe chargers even work on the Paperwhite Signature Version.
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32GB of storage — is it crucial?
Now let’s tackle the 32GB within the room. For an e-reader, that’s an exorbitant quantity of storage. It is double the quantity of the usual Kindle Paperwhite, and once more, 32,000 books price of storage. That’s plenty of books. Is that a lot crucial? In my skilled opinion, no, particularly when you’ll be able to take away downloaded books out of your gadget, and redownload from the Kindle cloud at any time. So should you assume you want all that storage, you most likely do not, and it isn’t price splurging an additional $40 on it.
Is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Version price it?
Is 32GB well worth the $200 price ticket? We’re unconvinced.
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For the typical consumer, I do not assume the Signature Version is a worthy improve. The Kindle Paperwhite is much better bang in your buck, filled with the whole lot you want for the last word studying expertise. It is likely to be well worth the splurge should you do have storage considerations — perhaps you have maxed out on 16GB on earlier Kindle fashions. In any other case, 16GB can be effective. And should you’re actually postpone by lock display advertisements, then the Signature Version goes to be your most popular gadget.
Nevertheless, if you’ll swing for the Amazon Kindle Signature Version, search for it on sale. Throughout Black Friday 2024, the Signature Version was all the way down to $154.99, cheaper than the itemizing worth of the usual Paperwhite.
