Amazon’s new Kindle offers twice the storage, a sharper screen, and USB-C for $100
Enlarge / Amazon's newest Kindle e-reader. (credit: Amazon)
For years, Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite has been the best Kindle for most people to buy, compared to the standard no-adjective Kindle. It was the first to get a front-lit, high-resolution screen; waterproofing; and USB-C... the list goes on. But today, Amazon announced a new $100 Kindle that includes almost all of the best features from the latest Paperwhite for $40 less. The new device is available for preorder now and will be released on October 12.
Compared to the previous-generation Kindle, the new 11th-generation model bumps the pixel density from 167 PPI up to 300 PPI, the same level as Amazon's other Kindles. This makes text appreciably sharper and nicer-looking. Storage is doubled from 8GB to 16GB, not something you'll notice if you primarily read text but more useful if you listen to lots of audiobooks. And the micro USB charging port is gone, replaced by a modern USB-C port that will let you charge the device using the same connector you use for most modern laptops, phones, tablets, and game consoles.
The new Kindle is $10 more expensive than the one it replaces, and the price goes up to $120 if you want the version with no lock screen ads. A Kindle Kids edition with an extended two-year warranty, one of three colorful covers, and a one-year subscription to Amazon's Kids+ service is also $120 (it won't show your kids ads by default, but Amazon says it will display ads if you exit Kindle Kids mode).