My Kindle adventure began with a third-generation model, imported from the US at an unspeakable price. It took a few minutes with the then novel electronic ink screen to realize that there was no going back. Over the past few days I have had the opportunity to test the latest iteration of that idea, the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021) , and these are my impressions.
Compared to other tech products, e-book readers, and the Amazon Kindle in particular, have been stagnant for some time. Electronic ink displays are already good enough to make reading a pleasure (in the absence of a color solution ), autonomies have been unbeatable for generations and the user experience is very similar between devices in the same price range. . Beyond hardware, the difference is the ecosystem and it is right here where Amazon does make a difference.
Before continuing, a brief review of the most important technical specifications :
- 6.8 ″ 300 dpi display, electronic ink
- 32 Gbytes of storage
- Front light with 17 LEDs
- Up to 10 weeks of battery life
- Adjustable light tone
- Ambient light sensor
- Wireless charging (Qi standard)
- IPX8 water resistance
- WiFi connectivity
- Price 189.99 euros
Returning to the device at hand, the technology company endorses the maxim of “if it works, do not touch it” and presents a Signature Edition with few relevant changes compared to the standard PaperWhite, already available for a few months. These three are the most prominent:
- Increase in internal capacity up to 32 Gbytes, a real outrage that only those who suffer from “Digital Diogenes” will be able to appreciate.
- The USB-C connection , which will allow us to banish the old Micro-USB cables.
- Automatic light adjustment .
- Wireless charging, compatible with Qi standard.
Of course, this version also adopts everything new that we already knew from PaperWhite. At the design level, users of previous versions will notice an even better finish, fewer edges and only one button (for everything else, touch screen).
Regarding the panel, it maintains 300 dpi (more than enough to read text and have the feeling of printed paper) and the variable tone function, from cold to warm depending on the circumstances. The experience here depends a lot on each person, but I think it is a very interesting addition, especially for fans of night reading. The Signature’s automatic mode is comfortable, but on occasion I have had to correct the default setting. Again, an absolutely subjective assessment.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021) also benefits from the latest update of the operating system and the configuration wizard, which allows you to have the device ready and with our entire library in less than 5 minutes if we have the app installed. At the performance level, nothing to object, hardware to spare to provide a fast and fluid experience in any scenario.
Amazon’s platform for Kindle is still a blast. Buying a book is a matter of a click, the synchronization works perfectly and services like Kindle Unlimited can be very interesting for the most voracious readers. Getting out of the “golden cage” is not particularly complicated using software such as Caliber or similar (there are even options on the web or via Telegram that work perfectly when converting and sending books from other formats). Of course, as with any ebook of this size and technology, if PDF is a priority for you, it is not the best option.
Signature Edition or just PaperWhite?
At this point, it is likely that you are wondering if it is worth paying the 75 euros more that Amazon asks for the special edition. As always, the answer depends on the needs of each one but, if it is your first Kindle or you come from a very old model, it may be worth the effort. A tip: it is worth waiting for a specific offer to hunt it at a better price.
The half-life of a Kindle, with a little care, is usually very long. There are no major disruptions in the new models and the battery does not suffer excessive degradation with use, so in most cases the reason to change is boredom or the desire to try something new.
The biggest problem with this Signature Edition plays at home and is called the Kindle Oasis . It is the option for really intensive users of a device like this, without budget problems and who are looking for the best possible experience, leaving the price in the background. In any case, a fantastic product (like the entire Kindle series) and a must-check for anyone looking for an e-book reader.
Final assessment 8.6
WE LIKE
Excellent performance
Build quality
Great autonomy
User experience and ecosystem
TO IMPROVE
Higher price
RESUME
A special version with certain new features that may not justify the price increase. In any case, a great Kindle and a fantastic option for those who want to upgrade in a big way.
Design and build quality 8
Screen 8.5
Performance 10
Autonomy 10
Price quality 6.5