It’s not the book I’m reading that I was reacting to, nor the new and improved features that make this a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition instead of just your typical Paperwhite. It was the relief that came from knowing that I was about to read a book on a device built just for that purpose. And on busy weeks like this one, that intentional limitation alone can be worth the price of admission.
Now, don’t misunderstand. This is not some new-age embrace of radical intentionality or anything like that. My love for the Kindle comes from a very practical, very real need for a book that isn’t trying to be anything else.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Full Specifications
| Display | Amazon’s 6.8” Paperwhite display technology with built-in light, 300 ppi, optimized font technology, 16-level gray scale. |
| Size | 6.9” x 4.9” x .32” (174 x 125 x 8.1 mm). |
| Weight | 7.3 oz (208 g). |
| System Requirements | None; fully wireless |
| On-Device Storage | 32 GB; holds thousands of books. |
| Cloud Storage | Free cloud storage for all Amazon content. |
| Battery Life | A single charge lasts up to ten (10) weeks. Battery life may vary depending on use. Audible audiobook streaming over Bluetooth will reduce battery life. |
| Charge Time | Fully charges in approximately 5 hours from a computer via USB cable; fully charges in less than 2.5 hours with a 9W USB power adapter; fully charges in less than 3.5 hours with any compatible 10W Qi wireless charging pad (sold separately). |
| Wifi Connectivity | Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) wifi networks. |
| Accessibility Features | VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, provides spoken feedback allowing you to navigate your device and read books with text-to-speech (available in English only). Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition also includes the ability to invert Black and White, adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins. |
| Content Formats Supported | Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX). |
| Included in the Box | Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, USB-C charging cable and Quick Start Guide. |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof (IPX8) in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes |
| Available Colors | Black, Denim, and Agave Green |
| Check Price | View On Amazon |
Design and Build | Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
The Paperwhite Signature Edition is the most comfortable Kindle I’ve ever used. With a 6.8-inch display, it’s big enough without being so big that you can’t fit it into a pocket, provided it would be an oversized one.
I miss the lightweight and more aggressive design of the Kindle Oasis I reviewed a while back. But I don’t miss those things enough to make me want to spend over a hundred bucks more for them. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the mid-range option, and while I’ve really lost interest in that category when it comes to phones, where e-readers are concerned, I think the mid-range is probably the sweet spot.
The new software that came to Kindles this year is also excellent. Initial setup is as easy as tapping a link in the Kindle app on your phone, after which setup is automatic and takes less than two minutes. The interface is easier to navigate, and much more phone-like than ever before. It even puts the cover of the book you’re reading right on the lock screen if you want, finally bridging one more gap between traditional and virtual books.
Of course, there are things I would change if I could. On the software side, my review sample locked up once or twice due to a bug that Amazon says it is aware of and is currently rolling out an update to fix. On the design side, you still can’t format in multiple columns on the Kindle like you can on the Kindle app on a phone or tablet. Maybe it’s a resolution thing; I don’t know.
And on the hardware, you’ve probably noticed these smudges. The matte finish on the screen is great for visibility, but it’s also excellent at holding onto fingerprints. And I’ve never been a fan of the decision to put the power button on the bottom edge of these things, basically the least ergonomic location for such a thing. But you’ve probably already noticed that alongside that compromise is a huge, long-overdue win.
The Paperwhite finally ditches the legacy micro USB port for the Type-C connector every other modern piece of tech uses. But the reality is that if you travel a lot, or you are forgetful, or you need to travel light, well, now all you need to remember is one cable unless you use an iPhone.
Amazon actually doubled down on charging this year, including not just that USB-C port but also a Qi coil, so you can charge this wirelessly. I have to admit I’m a little surprised by this choice. Wireless charging isn’t something that often comes to mind when I think of tablets. But here’s the thing: it certainly doesn’t hurt the device in any way. And you’re not going to need to charge it that often anyway.
That’s one of the great things about Kindles—actually, most devices that use e-paper—because this display technology only consumes significant power when it’s changing state, you end up with battery life measured in weeks instead of hours. I’ve been testing this for about six days, reading for about an hour each night in bed with the backlight set at about a third.
And I’ve seen an average battery drop of about four percent per day. At this rate, I won’t need to charge the thing until Thanksgiving. And my battery life would be even better if I read during the day without using the backlight. That’s another benefit to e-ink: unlike the LCD or OLED screens you’ll find on phones and tablets, it only gets easier to read in direct sunlight. That means it’s a great beach-read companion. Also, you can even get it wet, thanks to IPX8 water resistance.
Reading Experience | Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
Now, that might be something that people are into, and that’s great. But for me, that larger display makes a huge impact because I can read more content, which is nicer for me. What’s even better is that they’ve added more lights on this Kindle Paperwhite, so it’s just brighter even when I’m outside.
Wherever I’m trying to read, I don’t have an issue, even when I’m under the sun. The fact that this Kindle has temperature-adjusting warm lights is something I love because I read a lot at night, and I appreciate that the blue light isn’t really hurting my eyes. When I was reviewing the Kindle Basic, I absolutely loved that device.
However, I did mention in my review how I really wished Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition had the warm light temperature setting so that it would automatically adjust based on the environment. I’ve set it up to transition from sunset to sunrise, becoming warmer, which makes it so much easier to read and gentler on the eyes. That’s something I really, really like.
I think it’s a feature that really enhances the reading experience. It was first introduced in the Kindle Oasis, and I was eager for them to bring it to the Paperwhite. With the added LED lights to make it brighter and the larger display, it has become the perfect device. Plus, it uses a faster processor compared to previous Kindle Paperwhites.
So when you’re swiping through pages, it’s lightning fast. I love reading on this because there’s zero lag. The brightness is great, the warm light temperature is also a great bonus, and the larger display in general is fantastic.
Is It Worth It?
Many people prefer e-paper because it’s a lot more like paper, and that’s totally legitimate. Just this week, E Ink announced it worked with TÜV Rheinland to develop the new Paper Like Display certification to scientifically measure how screens like this rank for visual health. And the Paperwhite Signature Edition offers a particularly comfortable reading experience. Because you can adjust the warmth of its backlight.
Still, we’re in kind of a strange new world where virtual books are concerned. There are a few things on my wish list that this new Paperwhite hasn’t checked off, and another factor means I personally won’t be picking this one up. I’ll tell you why right after this.
Phone vs E-Reader
Now, I promised you an answer on why the Paperwhite is not on my own personal gadget wish list. And that answer is: my phone. I know I literally just got done telling you all the reasons e-readers outrank their mobile counterparts. But while I’m not proud of this, I’m somewhat fatalistic about my visual health. I mean, I stare at displays way too often to save myself just by switching to e-ink for five percent of my screen time. As for the distraction thing, I mean, Do Not Disturb mode on phones and tablets is a wonderful thing.
And the real crux of the phone versus e-reader debate for me is that in recent years, the phone world has started offering much more ergonomic diversity than the e-reader segment. With its foldable form factor and ideal aspect ratio for reading, the Galaxy Fold family has essentially replaced my Kindle since the first one came out.
Also, Microsoft’s partnership with Amazon means that company’s Surface Duo 2 is an even better e-book in some respects. I’m not exaggerating when I say that reading is my absolute favorite thing to do on that device. And whether it’s the Duo, the Fold, or even a more conventional iPad, OLED or LCD makes up for its daylight disadvantages with full-color capabilities. Because when it comes to picture books, even the color e-readers I’ve covered don’t yet measure up in this area.
But that’s me. For those who know that what they want is a dedicated e-paper e-reader, then in my book, the Kindle continues to be the gold standard in that department. And as I said at the top, the most comfortable one I’ve encountered yet is the Paperwhite. The standard model starts at about $140, and if you want more storage, wireless charging, and a backlight that automatically adjusts, add about $50 to that for the Signature Edition.
I think most folks will probably be able to make do with the base model Paperwhite. But either way, if e-paper is what you need, then whether it’s $140 or $190, that paper is well spent. This review was produced following six days with a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition provided by Amazon. But remember, there’s no such thing as a paid review.
