The new entry-level Kindle features the front light and Audible support. Do you need anything more than that?
With the release of the 2019 entry-level Kindle, the modern book lover’s major question is back: which Kindle should I buy?
After discontinuing the Voyage last year, the Kindle range is simplified, making it much easier to pick up the most suitable model.
The latest entry-level Kindle has been updated with one of the most sought-after features – the front light.
What is adjustable front light? A few LED lamps (it’s four of them in the Kindle 2019 model) embedded under the bezel spread light over the display enabling you to read in the dark without the need to use an external source of light.
The basic Kindle was the last model to join the all-day-and-night reading game. The features has caused the price of the new model to go up by $10 compared to Kindle 2016. The variant with special offers costs $89.99; the ad-free sells for $109.99.
Now, all Kindle models offer two features a vast majority of users are looking for:
- Front-lit display – enables you to read both in the bright sun and in the darkness.
- Audible support – ability to play Audible audiobooks via connected Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
The question which Kindle to choose is all about making a decision which extra features you need to have – and how much extra cost you are willing to cover.
The price difference between Kindle 2019 and Paperwhite 2018 is $40. The gap between Paperwhite and Oasis 2017 is $120.
Which Kindle model do I need?
If you need a bigger screen…
…than the standard 6-inch (which is comparable to the paperback size), you are looking into Kindle Oasis 2.
If you need a waterproof e-reader…
…you will have to choose between Paperwhite 4 and Oasis 2. On the other side, you should ask yourself a question: do I want to pay extra $40 for the Paperwhite to get the waterproof device?
If you need a high quality display…
…you should forget about the basic Kindle. Its screen has been improved, but still it has worse resolution and pixel density, what makes the text less readable.
If you need the Kindle to play audiobooks…
…don’t pick up the basic Kindle. With its 4 GB of memory, you will be able to download only some 15 to 20 audiobook files. It’s better to choose the Paperwhite or Oasis. Both models comes with either 8 or 32 GB of internal memory.
If you need a white Kindle…
…the only model you can pick up right now is the basic Kindle 2019. However, the white Paperwhite may be launched this year, so if you are not in a hurry, you can wait a few months.
Kindle 2019 vs. Paperwhite vs. Oasis
| Basic Kindle (2019) |
Paperwhite 4 (2018) |
Oasis 2 (2017) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6 inches | 6 inches | 7 inches |
| Pixel density | 167 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
| Screen resolution | 800 × 600 px | 1448 × 1072 px | 1680 × 1264 px |
| Grayscale | 16-level | 16-level | 16-level |
| Waterproof | No | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof rating | n/a | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| Water resistance | n/a | Withstands immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes | Withstands immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes |
| Front light | Yes 4 LEDs |
Yes 5 LEDs |
Yes 12 LEDs |
| Blue light control | No | No | No |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.1 oz 174 g |
6.4 oz 182 g |
6.8 oz 194 g |
| Dimensions | 6.3 × 4.5 × 0.34 in 160 × 113 × 8.7 mm |
6.6 × 4.6 × 0.3 in 167 × 116 × 8.2 mm |
6.3 × 5.6 × 0.33 in 159 × 141 × 8.3 mm |
| Storage | 4 GB | 8 GB 32 GB |
8 GB 32 GB |
| micro SD card | No | No | No |
| Speakers | No | No | No |
| Headphone jack | No | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audiobook support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audiobook platform | Audible | Audible | Audible |
| Colors | Black White |
Black | Graphite Champagne Gold |
| Release date | April 10, 2019 | November 6, 2018 | October 31, 2017 |
| Price | from $89.99 |
from $129.99 |
from $249.99 |
Comparing major features and specs is important, but don’t put too much attention into it.
The final decision boils down to answering a far more important question: what are my reading preferences? We’ve got a handy quiz that will help you define which Kindle model suits your needs the most.
More posts for Kindle users:
[ef-archive number=5 tag=”kindle”]
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