Amazon’s new 16GB Kindle Colorsoft, launched less than a month ago, is now available at a reduced price of $219.99—offering a $30 discount—through various retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The Colorsoft Kids, which comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, a two-year extended warranty, and a protective case, is also on sale for $239.99, reflecting a $30 markdown, available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Both models are designed for ad-free reading and feature a seven-inch color E Ink display, IPX8 waterproofing, and a battery life that can extend up to eight weeks on a single charge.
With its recent release, the 16GB Colorsoft marks Amazon’s entry into the color e-reader market. It shares several features with last year’s Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, such as comparable page turn speeds and solid performance when reading both monochrome and color content. However, users will observe a decrease in resolution from 300ppi to 150ppi when accessing color books, a change tested and noted but deemed manageable. While viewing PDFs in color via the Send to Kindle service was effective, transferring files through USB-C resulted in a loss of color fidelity.
In summary, the Colorsoft emerges as the leading color e-reader at its price point. It’s particularly beneficial for readers interested in graphic novels or illustrated books, as it enhances the reading experience compared to traditional monochrome devices. While opting for the entry-level model means sacrificing certain features—such as wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light—users will still find ample storage with its 16GB. The higher-end Signature Edition offers additional benefits such as 32GB storage and potentially four weeks longer battery life, although the full extent of the entry-level model’s battery performance remains to be seen.
