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Kindle Paperwhite (2015) review

8.6/10 AVG.
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Kindle Paperwhite (2015)
Kindle Paperwhite (2015)
Kindle Paperwhite (2015)
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8.6/10
Informr score
The Kindle Paperwhite (2015) currently has an Informr score of 8.6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 11 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • 300 DPI screen
  • New About This Book feature gives more detail on titles
  • Faster performance

What's bad

  • No auto brightness
  • No page navigation button

The Paperwhite was considered by consumers and experts alike as one of the best e-readers on the market when it hit. In the third iteration of the popular e-reader, Amazon is able to keep the costs the same as previous models while improving some of the hardware and features.

Design-wise, Amazon has made some minor changes switching over the glossy textured body to matte and the logo o from Kindle to Amazon. The only physical button is the power key so all navigation is done via the 6" touchscreen panel. The screen itself is the biggest upgrade as it offers a pixel density of 300-ppi instead of the 212-ppi of its predecessor. On paper, this might sound like a huge improvement, but many reviewers didn't notice a significant difference. They add, however, images and text did look slightly crisper than older version. CNET notes, "The extra screen sharpness is a subtle but important upgrade in a product category that's reach a maturation point…" Still, many experts consider the Paperwhite as having the best ebook reader screen as it was glare-free in bright light with sharp and dark text. In fact, the Wall Street Journal states, "It looks closer to real paper book than anything else out there."

Unlike the higher end Kindle Voyager, the Paperwhite does not come with an adaptive backlight or page turn buttons. Still, critics found it easy enough to adjust screen brightness and navigate the menu via the touchscreen.

Besides the screen, Amazon also upgraded the internal memory from 256MB to 512MB though they kept the same 1GHz processor and 4GB of internal storage. Overall, reviewers noticed all-round faster performance and very little ghosting when turning the pages. New additions to the software include:

· Bookerly font - an exclusive Kindle font specifically to improve readability on digital screens.

· About This Book – gives more information about the book, its author and place in series.

Of course all of the features users enjoyed like connection with Goodreads and Family Library are still intact on the 2015 Paperwhite. It also comes at multiple tiers with the cheapest version showing full page “special offers” when the Kindle is in sleep mode. The more expensive versions come loaded with 3G and no ads.

Overall, experts were very happy with the 2015 Paperwhite. PG Mag states, "…the Kindle Paperwhite is the right ebook reader for most people." The Verge adds, "…this particular Kindle is the nicest one yet for the price."


6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6"
Yes
Backlight
Backlight
Yes
4 GB
Storage
Storage
4 GB
No
3G
3G
No
21 hours
Reading Time


What the Critics Are Saying...


The Wirecutter
The Wirecutter

The Kindle Paperwhite’s features and price, coupled with Amazon’s vast collection of reading material, make it the best device dedicated to reading.

- Nick Guy, The Wirecutter
TechRadar
TechRadar

While the new typesetting engine and Bookerly font are great additions to the Kindle Paperwhite, they've now been added to the Kindle Voyage, basic Kindle and previous generation Kindle Paperwhite too, so they're not really reasons to choose this over any other Kindle or to upgrade to this.That leav...

- James Rogerson, TechRadar
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

The Kindle Paperwhite (2015) is the second best eReader you can get in the market, after the Kindle Voyage. Last year’s Paperwhite did not bring a huge improvement compared to the first-generation Paperwhite. The new Paperwhite at the same price brings Kindle Voyage’s 300 ppi screen and...

- Srivatsan Sridhar, Fone Arena
Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide

The all-new Kindle Paperwhite retains the great features of its predecessor, but sports a sharper screen and advanced typesetting that makes reading easier than it ever has been.

- Ilyse Liffreing, Tom's Guide
Beta News
Beta News

You'll find the interface familiar, though the screen better. It's comforting in a way, as there is no learning curve. That's a plus for any new device, including some which throw that curve ball at you. Amazon kept it simple and to the point, and the point is reading your book. That's why you got i...

- Alan Buckingham, Beta News


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Quick view

Screen Size
6"

The Kindle Paperwhite (2015)'s screen size is 6 inches with 1072 x 1448 pixels resolution.

Backlight
Yes

There is a built-in backlight for reading in the dark.

Storage
4 GB

Internal memory is 4 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

3G
No

This model has no 3G wireless capabilities.

Reading Time
21 hours

The e-reader is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol) battery. Battery life is rated for up to 21 hours reading time according to Amazon's.

Kindle Paperwhite (2015) Specs

Overview
Release Date June 30, 2015
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Networks
No
SIM Card Size Yes
Operating System Kindle OS

Compare Kindle OS Smartphones

Processor 1 GHz
Internal Storage 4 GB
RAM No
ROM No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Languages English
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Data Cable
Power & battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity Unknown
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Reading Time Up to 21 hours
Standby Time Up to 42 days
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 17 x 11.7 x 0.9 cm (6.7 x 4.6 x 0.4 in)
Weight 217 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Display / Screen
Type Grayscale
Technology E-ink
Colors Unknown
Resolution 1072 x 1448 pixels
Pixel Density 300 pixels
Size 6 inches
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification No
Screen Orientation Lock No
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Anti Glare Unknown
Additional Display Features -
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Page Turn Key Unknown
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
Web / Email / Messaging
Web Browser Yes
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth No
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Wi-Fi Encryption No
Memory Expansion Slot No
PC Synchronization No
Audio / Video
Audio Playback No
Video Playback No
Streaming Video No
External Speakers No
Headset Jack No
Vibration Alert No
More
Additional Information
Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
Kindle Paperwhite (2015) Reviews
Where to buy Kindle Paperwhite (2015)
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