Unleash the Power of E-Reading: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 vs Kindle 2024 – A Comparative Review
Amazon’s Latest Kindle Update: What’s the Difference Between the New Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite?
Amazon has announced an update to its popular Kindle collection, including a new Kindle and a new Kindle Paperwhite. While the Paperwhite was once the clear top choice, the playing field has been levelled in recent years. So, what’s the key difference between these two e-readers?
Pricing & Availability
The Kindle (2024) is more affordable, starting at £94.99/$94.99 for an ad-supported model, or £104.99/$104.99 for an ad-free version. It’s available for pre-order now, with a release date of October 31, 2024.
The Kindle Paperwhite (2024), on the other hand, starts at £159.99/$159.99 with ads, or £169.99/$169.99 without ads. It’s also available for pre-order, with a release date of October 31, 2024.
The Kindle (2024) is More Portable
The Kindle Paperwhite may have a slightly larger 7-inch screen, but the regular Kindle’s 6-inch screen makes it more portable, with a smaller footprint that will easily fit into most bags and even some pockets. Weighing in at 158g, it’s also 53g lighter than the 211g Kindle Paperwhite.
The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) Has More Advanced Display Tech
The big difference between the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite is display technology. While the standard Kindle uses a greyscale E Ink screen, the Kindle Paperwhite boasts a white E Ink screen, making it even closer to the real thing. It also comes with a warm reading mode, reducing blue light emission for easier nighttime reading.
The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) Has Better Battery Life
With its larger 7-inch screen, the Kindle Paperwhite can squeeze in a larger battery, lasting up to 12 weeks on a single charge. The standard Kindle, in contrast, has up to six weeks of battery life. This means you may need to charge the regular Kindle twice as often as the Paperwhite.
The Kindle Paperwhite (2024) is Waterproof
Lastly, the Kindle Paperwhite offers IPX8 water resistance, meaning it can survive splashes and even being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. This provides peace of mind for those who like to read near water.
Early Verdict
The core Kindle experience is consistent between the two, with the ability to download thousands of books from the Kindle store. It’s the additional features, like the choice between a white and greyscale E Ink screen, and water resistance, that will sway your decision. The Kindle Paperwhite looks like the more capable of the two, but it’s also more expensive. We’ll reserve our final thoughts until we’ve thoroughly tested both e-readers.
