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Amazon's all-new Kindle is its cheapest ever e-reader with a front light
After refreshing the mid-range Kindle Paperwhite just last fall and the high-end Kindle Oasis back in 2017, Amazon is finally taking the wraps off a new entry-level model of its best-selling e-reader today. The aptly titled "all-new" Kindle comes with no distinctive second name, as well as no noticeable design revisions compared to the ancient 2016 generation, or even a screen resolution upgrade.
The most important change is the addition of a built-in adjustable front light to an already robust list of features for a sub-$100 price point. That makes the 2019 "standard" Kindle the cheapest ever night-friendly member of its family, starting at $89.99 with "special offers", aka sponsored screensavers and ads on your lock screen, or $109.99 without special offers.
You can pre-order the affordable e-reader right now in black or white color options, with shipments scheduled to begin on April 10. Or you can pay an extra 40 bucks for the latest Kindle Paperwhite edition and get a number of big add-ons, including IPX8 water resistance, a flush-front design, and a 300 ppi screen. In turn, the entry-level new Kindle comes with a lower-resolution 6-inch 167 ppi display surrounded by massive bezels that stick out in a not-very-elegant way and no protection against liquid damage.
On the bright side, 90 bucks is apparently enough to score the "latest electronic ink technology" for top-notch contrast, capacitive touch support preventing accidental swipes, a battery capable of keeping the lights on for weeks on end, 4GB of internal storage for holding thousands of books, and even a three-month Kindle Unlimited subscription providing access to millions of "premium" titles at no extra cost.
That's a pretty strong statement in support of a market segment that's not getting as much attention today as a few years back. But maybe it should.
