Many people prefer e-readers with larger screens, but I’ve always liked them Entry-level Kindle more compact size. Since Amazon improved its screen sharpness with a 300 ppi display and added a built-in light in the 2022, it’s become something of a Paperwhite mini — minus a few features — that costs significantly less than the real Paperwhite. At $110 (£95, AU$199), the new 2024 model, which has 16GB of storage, costs $10 more than the previous-generation Kindle. This is a bit disappointing considering the improvements here are quite modest. Still, it remains a good value, especially when it goes on sale.
Pros
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Slightly faster page turns and brighter light than the previous model
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300 ppi high resolution screen with slightly higher contrast
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Built-in light and USB-C charging
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Good value ($50 less than Kindle Paperwhite)
ANTI
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Not waterproof
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It lacks the more premium feel of the Kindle Paperwhite
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It costs $20 to remove ads
Read more: The best e-readers of 2024
As I said, the entry-level Kindle (2024) is the smallest and lightest in the Kindle line. It weighs only 158 grams and is equipped with a 6-inch 300 ppi E Ink display. By comparison, the Paperwhite (2024) weighs 211 grams and has a 7-inch screen.
The new Kindle’s specs are similar to the previous Kindle, but now you get slightly faster page turns (10% faster, Amazon says), a slightly higher contrast ratio, and a front light which is 25% brighter at its maximum setting and matches the brightness of the Paperwhite at its brightest setting. Also, this 2024 model now comes with a new matcha green color that has a nice look.
Kindle (2024) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
I spent some time going back and forth between the new entry-level Kindle and the new Paperwhite, which is slightly improved over the Kindle (2024). As with the previous generation, the Paperwhite also has the advantage of being fully waterproof (IPX8 rating) with a front display. The entry-level Kindle does not have a water resistance rating.
The Paperwhite feels noticeably more zippy, and its lighting system is clearly superior. It has 19 LEDs (10 white and 9 amber) compared to the Kindle’s 4 LEDs. Also, with the entry-level Kindle, there’s no way to adjust the color temperature of the light like there is with the Paperwhite. Both lights have the same brightness at their maximum setting, but the entry-level Kindle’s light appears bluer at its brightest setting. In contrast, the Paperwhite’s light gives the display a more natural, paper-like appearance.
The other thing you notice right away is that the Paperwhite’s 7-inch screen offers significantly more screen real estate, despite being only an inch larger diagonally (it doesn’t seem like much, but it’s more than you think). I got about 4 or 5 extra lines of text on the Paperwhite screen using the same 6 font size on both screens (you can just pinch and zoom to get to the font menu, which is nice).
Battery life is also twice as good for the Paperwhite – up to 12 weeks compared to up to 6 weeks for the entry-level Kindle. In the meantime, Colorsoft ($280, £270 or roughly AU$530), Amazon’s first color Kindle that I also reviewit’s rated for up to 8 weeks of battery life. All new Kindles have USB-C charging while the Paperwhite and Colorsoft come in Signature versions that offer wireless charging and are ad-free (the entry-level Kindle and standard edition Paperwhite have ads on their lock screen unless you pay $20 to remove them).
Final Thoughts Entry Level Kindle (2024).
I know all these comparisons make the entry-level Kindle seem inferior to the Paperwhite — and it is. When it comes to E-Ink e-readers, which are inherently much slower than smartphones and tablets with LCD or AMOLED display technology, and improvements from generation to generation tend to be pretty incremental, the differences I’m describing between the two models are not is not great. Yes, the entry-level Kindle lacks some features and is a step behind in performance, but the reading experience isn’t fundamentally different.
In the final analysis, while the Paperwhite is Amazon’s best monochrome e-reader, the slightly improved entry-level Kindle is also very attractive, especially for those on a tighter budget who appreciate a lighter, smaller e-reader that fits well in your hand. .
Check this out: New 2024 Kindles Just Announced: Keeping Up With Everyone