Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft adds color at a steep price

The Signature Edition, tested over several weeks, has 32GB of storage, an aluminum back and a choice of graphite or Fig finishes. The $290 base model comes with 16GB. Both versions offer 300ppi resolution for black-and-white content and 150ppi for color. Amazon introduced its first color Kindle in 2024; owners of that model have little reason to upgrade, given that the core reading experience is largely unchanged.

Color is most useful for comics, graphic novels and cookbooks, as well as for readers who highlight passages in different hues. The display’s tones are muted compared with an iPad, but still stand out against a standard Kindle’s monochrome screen. Users can adjust the color temperature for a warmer nighttime display, and the device includes auto-adjusting brightness.

Amazon says the Colorsoft lasts up to eight weeks per charge, compared with up to 12 weeks for the Paperwhite. In testing, the battery held up well. The new model also moves the power button from beside the charging port on the bottom to the top-right edge, reducing the chance of pressing it accidentally. Its slimmer build and aluminum finish make it comfortable to hold, and the device is waterproof. The screen needed few refreshes, with no noticeable ghosting during testing.

The Signature Edition works with a magnetic cover with built-in page-turn buttons that attaches to pogo pins on the back, though the reviewer did not test the case. For readers who do not need color, Amazon’s basic Kindle, starting at $169.99, and Paperwhite, starting at $199.99, are less expensive options. The Colorsoft is worth considering for those set on a color screen, but it is not a necessary upgrade for most Kindle owners.