Yes, I really think the situation with the new Kindle is a little bit crazy. If you don’t know me, I’m the French e-reader guy and the main writer for World of eReader. The new Kindle is not available in France yet (it should arrive mid-November), so I haven’t bought it. But I’ve studied the technical specs closely, and here is what I think.
Buy a Kindle e-reader
Kindle on Amazon.com (click here)
Not much has changed
The basic Kindle has not really evolved since the 2022 model. The new one has the same high-definition E Ink Carta screen. It’s a good screen, no problem there. The front light is also the same: you can adjust the brightness, but there is still no warm light (color temperature adjustment). In 2026, I find that disappointing for an e-reader at this price.
The prices are going up
The plastic model now starts at $149.99 with ads. That’s in the same range as the cheapest e-readers from Kobo and PocketBook, which often offer more features. The aluminum version, which in my opinion is the best-looking one, costs $189.99. The new Paperwhite is $199.99, so only $10 more than the basic aluminum Kindle! For me, it’s hard to justify buying the basic model when the Paperwhite is so close.
My theory? Amazon is raising the price of its e-readers now so it can keep the same prices for several years. That’s the only explanation I have. What do you think?
A good point: you can replace the battery
One interesting thing is that you will be able to open the new Kindle to replace the battery. This is linked to new European rules on replaceable batteries. It’s a good thing because it means your Kindle can last longer.
Should you upgrade your old Kindle?
My honest answer: no, not if your current Kindle works. E-paper technology is not evolving much right now, and I don’t expect anything big before the end of 2027, maybe with new black-and-white screens, but nothing is certain.
I think this Kindle generation will stay on the market for three or four years. And from my experience, a Kindle can easily last 10 years. So keep reading on your old one!