Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Review: Color is Welcome, but the Other Features Matter More

For the first time in its history, Amazon has released an e-reader with color e-ink technology. The new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition features a display that allows users to enjoy color elements in both conventional books, such as cover designs and paragraph highlights, and comics.

The color feature is certainly eye-catching. However, the question remains whether this alone justifies the upgrade or if a monochrome e-book reader would suffice.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (2024) Specs

A Compact and Slimmer Design

The new Kindle Colorsoft notably has a slightly larger screen than the previous Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021).

The device’s size has increased from 6.8 to 7 inches, resulting in a slightly heavier and bulkier design compared to its predecessor. While this change may make it difficult to fit in a pant pocket, the Kindle remains manageable. In fact, the small increase in screen diagonal enhances the reading experience.

Although the differences in size and weight are minimal, the new model is slightly thinner, going from 0.32 to 0.30 inches in thickness. Its construction is entirely made of matte black plastic. Interestingly, while the screen features color, the overall design doesn’t. Only the new Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite models come with colorful cases.

Another surprising design choice is that the device’s on/off button is located at the bottom, next to the USB-C connector. This button is slightly prominent, which led to unintentional presses during my tests when resting or picking up the device.

It might have been better positioned on the side or top. Unlike the Kobo Libra H2O, there’s no automatic screen rotation. Additionally, the top and bottom bezels aren’t symmetrical, which could make this placement inconvenient for some users.

In my case, I transitioned from a reader that has a power button on the back and features automatic screen rotation. I certainly noticed a difference, and the Kindle Colorsoft fell short in both areas. However, the IPX8 rating is a significant advantage, allowing you to take it to the beach or pool without worry.

The Kindle Was Good. It’s Now Even Better

The new Kindle offers a pixel density of 300 ppi for black-and-white text and images, although this drops to 150 ppi when displaying color content. Despite the decrease in pixel density, text and images are still remarkably well-defined.

The e-reader features a screen with Kaleido 3 technology. It boasts impressive peak brightness and contrast, and it’s better than what I experienced with my Kobo reader. While this brightness can be beneficial in certain situations, I found it excessive when reading in bed before going to sleep. Even with warm tones activated, the brightness remains quite high.

In addition, Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft includes an interesting option: automatic brightness. The screen brightness adjusts automatically depending on the light conditions detected by the device. Based on my tests, this feature is convenient and effective.

The Amazon Kindle ecosystem functions exceptionally well, allowing for quick setup by syncing the reader with the Kindle app on your phone in just a few minutes. Amazon continues to be the leading platform for purchasing e-books, and seeing the covers in color while browsing the store is a nice enhancement.

That said, the approach can be more restrictive than desired. I use virtual library services, but unfortunately, I can’t read the books I borrow on my Kindle because Adobe’s DRM isn’t compatible with Amazon’s readers.

Once I start reading, the Kindle Colorsoft hardware proves to be a reliable companion. The page-turning is quick, although not instantaneous. While it works well, there’s a slight delay when reading comics.

One aspect that stands out is the screen’s sensitivity, which is excellent. However, it can be overly sensitive at times. I occasionally turned the page unintentionally with a light touch. The screen’s responsiveness to touches and gestures is remarkable. In the future, I would like to see Amazon add a feature to customize actions associated with touches in specific areas.

The experience with the web browser is notably mixed. On the positive side, reading static content is a great experience. However, there are downsides. The limited color support and slow screen refresh rates make this feature mostly anecdotal. While it’s nice to have this option, its usability is quite limited, even though the color support enhances the overall appeal.

The user experience continues to embody the strengths of the long-standing Kindle. The home page showcases both selections from your library and Amazon recommendations.

You also have access to a search bar, allowing you to easily browse your entire library and apply filters as needed. The settings and configuration menus are intuitive and can be navigated with simple touch gestures. All the options are clear and easy to understand. The primary focus here is on enjoying reading, which I certainly appreciate.

Additionally, the ability to highlight text takes on new significance with the option to use four different colors: yellow, pink, blue, and orange. Although the highlight appears somewhat “grayish” unless the brightness is adjusted, it offers an interesting way to differentiate highlighted fragments using colors.

In my tests, I didn’t use all the battery life, which Amazon claims can last up to eight weeks. I used the e-reader for about a week, around an hour each day, and with the brightness mostly turned off. After that, the battery was still at 86%. This suggests that it’s indeed reasonable to expect weeks of use without needing to recharge.

Finally, wireless charging is a nice feature to have, though it seems almost incidental given the device’s impressive battery life.

The Big Question: What’s It Like to Read Comics on the Kindle Colorsoft?

The introduction of color support made it essential to test the Kindle Colorsoft with graphic novels and comics. E-ink technology has long been seen as a promising alternative for enjoying this type of content. However, a good tablet typically offers a more engaging experience. Can the Kindle Colorsoft change this?

The reality is that Amazon’s new Kindle faces many of the same limitations as its competitors. First, the screen size is a major factor. The 7-inch display isn’t ideal for comics, where the page size is often larger. As someone with presbyopia, I found it increasingly necessary to use reading glasses to comfortably read on the Kindle Colorsoft.

I read the comic Spider-Man and Venom for testing. Even with glasses, I still struggled. I had to constantly pinch the screen to zoom in and read the text. On a conventional tablet, this gesture is instantaneous, but on e-ink readers, the delay significantly mars the experience, making it quite unpleasant.

As such, reading comics becomes a bit of a chore. While it’s possible to do so, the experience isn’t enjoyable, especially for those without perfect eyesight. That said, the image definition is quite decent. However, there’s a second limitation: The colors are lackluster. Even with the Vivid mode activated, the colors appear dull and pastel, which diminishes the visual impact that’s typically a highlight of comics.

The contrast control available in the settings (under font selection) can improve the experience of displaying color PDFs. Lowering the contrast lightens and brightens the colors, enhancing the overall experience and vibrancy. Unfortunately, the contrast control isn’t available for all content types.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft: Xataka's Opinion

The Kindle Colorsoft is an attractive product. Its color support offers a new dimension to classic e-book readers, and many users may appreciate this feature. However, for my needs, the color support isn’t compelling enough to outweigh the screen size and muted colors.

As a result, I find the Paperwhite Signature Edition and its black-and-white screen more appealing. It costs $179.99, while the Kindle Colorsoft is priced at $279.99. The price difference is significant enough to sway my decision.

Nevertheless, the existence of the Kindle Colorsoft within Amazon’s product lineup is excellent news. It’s certainly an interesting alternative for those seeking an e-book reader with a color screen.

Image | Xataka

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The device has been loaned for testing by Amazon. You can check how we test new products at Xataka On and our Corporate Relations Policy.