Back in September 2021, Amazon launches its new Kindle Paperwhite (11 .)order Gen) and Paperwhite Signature Edition with additional features. Previously updated in 2018, the Kindle Paperwhite (10th Gen) has received an IPX8 rating and optional LTE capabilities. The new Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) maintains its IPX8 rating and features a larger display with an adjustable warm front light, a USB Type-C port, and a slightly larger battery than the previous model, but with only the latest results. Wi-Fi connection. The Signature Edition, which we’ll be looking at today, builds on top of the standard Kindle Paperwhite and adds extra storage space along with other handy features.
I’ve been using the Kindle Paperwhite’s Signature Edition (2021) for a few weeks and it’s easy to conclude that it offers good value for money at Rs. 17,999 more than the Kindle Oasis (2019), which costs more than Rs. 21,999 for a slightly larger screen, more buttons, and premium build quality. Despite the Signature Edition’s relatively affordable price tag, I still find that it will only appeal to certain buyers. Here’s why.
Quality and Design of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021)
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition looks similar to the standard Kindle Paperwhite. It has a plastic frame with a rubber texture on the back for a grip. One small design change that makes it easier to distinguish the 2021 models from previous models is that there’s now just a large, curved arrow (or smile) instead of the Amazon logo on the back. The slightly larger 1,700mAh battery adds to the new Kindle’s 204g weight.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2015 (left) and Kindle Paperwhite 2021 Signature Edition (right) side by side
The biggest design change to the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is on the front. The bezels on the sides and top of the screen have been significantly reduced compared to the previous model. The space below the screen is still quite spacious, but the overall bezel size has been reduced along with the larger screen (horizontal to the front), giving the new Paperwhite a sleeker look and a modern look. There is a slightly raised border running along the edges that helps protect the screen when the device is placed face down.
New logo on back of Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2021)
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has a Type-C charging port at the bottom, next to the power button. The IPX8 rating will provide protection “against accidental immersion in fresh water up to two meters for up to 60 minutes and up to 0.25 meters in seawater for up to three minutes” according to Amazon. In short, it should last a few jets or a light drizzle, but it’s best not to try using it underwater.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition display and performance (2021)
The 6.8-inch display is quite large, and the thinner bezels around the top and sides make it stand out from any previous generation of Paperwhite. It maintains the 300ppi pixel density of the older models and still has a frosted glass frame all around. This glass is quite prone to stains, and fingerprints are very noticeable here. The display is quite sharp and the legibility of the text is excellent in all kinds of reading conditions. Whether you’re out in the park on a bright sunny day or indoors, the display is like paper and provides a comfortable reading experience.
The lighting is adjustable, so you can change the shade from white to warm yellow
A new feature is the auto-adjusting warm front light. You can change the color temperature of the screen and there are 24 levels between white and yellow, making reading much more comfortable at night. Color temperature selection is also available on the standard Kindle Paperwhite (2021), but only the Signature version can automatically adapt to ambient lighting conditions. It’s a useful feature, and it works well, both indoors and outdoors. The front lights even turn off completely when not needed. If you hate adjusting it manually or have a habit of scrolling around while reading, this feature alone will be a worthy upgrade over any previous-generation Kindle you own. Note that enabling it will affect battery life.
The narrow bezels on the last two sides are not very good for ergonomics. This is because I frequently touch the screen and accidentally turn pages, as there is very little space to place your thumb when holding the device, but this may be different for other users depending on habits .
New swipe-down menu provides quick access to on/off buttons for Airplane Mode and WhisperSync, as well as the Settings page
ONE firmware update September last year brought a few new software features to the recently launched Kindles (including 7th through 10th generation Paperwhites). The interface also received an overhaul. There’s now a swipe-down menu (like the notification tray on Android phones), which can be accessed from anywhere by tapping or swiping down from the top of the screen. It provides quick access to the toggles for Airplane Mode and WhisperSync, as well as the Settings page.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition also has a Dark Mode button in the same drop-down menu. This will essentially invert the colors, giving you white text on a dark background. I find it quite useful when reading at night as it reduces glare from the front lights. I wish Dark Mode on the Kindle also works in sync with the lighting feature and could be activated automatically after sunset. The overall software experience feels as responsive and smooth as on previous models (maybe even a bit faster), but it’s still an e-ink display and won’t feel as smooth as other phones. smart today.
Dark Mode reduces glare from lights before reading at night
Overall battery life is pretty good. Your experience will depend a lot on your usage, especially the brightness of the front lights and how often your device is connected to Wi-Fi. With my normal usage (about an hour a day), I didn’t need to charge it during the review period and only had about 60% left after two weeks. Serious readers who use this device for a few hours a day can expect about two weeks between charges, which is still great.
Wireless charging is supported and works as expected with standard Qi wireless chargers for smartphones. Placing the device on the wireless charging pad will cause a small pop-up with an animation that indicates the device is being charged. The only catch is that the Kindle (a lot wider than most smartphones) has to be in its exact center position when it comes in contact with your wireless charger, for this to work.
The new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has 32 GB of memory of which 27.3 GB is usable. For most users, the 8GB capacity of the standard Kindle Paperwhite (2021) should suffice, but if you are an avid reader and want to have tons of books at all times, 32GB of the Signature Edition can be used.
Identify
Valuation Rs. 17,999, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth it considering the 32GB of memory and all the extras it offers over the standard version. Auto-adjusting and wireless-charging front lights are quite useful once you’ve gotten into the habit of using them, but they may only appeal to a small group of people. More useful updates like a larger display with thinner bezels and a USB Type-C port are also available on the standard Kindle Paperwhite (2021), which retails for Rs. 4,000 less. Meanwhile, the Kindle Oasis (2019) remains the ultimate Kindle experience, with more color options, a premium ergonomic design, dedicated buttons for turning pages, and the option of free 4G connectivity.
Advantages
- 32GB of storage
- Automatically adjust the brightness of the headlights
- Nice body
- USB Type-C port
- Great battery life
- Wireless charging
Defect
- The border is narrow, so it’s a bit inconvenient to hold
Stay up to date with the latest from the Gadgets 360 Consumer Electronics Show, at CES 2022 center.
