Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft review: premium feel, lightweight, nice colors, and snappy performance, but expensive after price increases

Page-turning buttons are now an accessory option for most recent Kindles.

Amazon has released the 2026 editions of its Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft e-readers. The new models are slightly lighter and feature a flush-front screen. The Signature Editions of both devices now include a premium aluminum frame and are compatible with a new Bluetooth page-turner remote called Kindle Click, which can also be purchased separately for Kindles from 2024 onwards. The Kindle Colorsoft continues to offer a color display, while the Paperwhite retains its monochrome screen. Both models include adjustable warm light and 16GB of storage in their base versions, with Signature Editions offering 32GB. Amazon is also introducing AI features, including a "Recap" function that summarizes reading progress and an upcoming "Ask This Book" feature for querying book content. Despite minimal physical changes from previous generations, the prices remain the same as the 2024 models, which had their prices increased in August.

The introduction of the Kindle Click page-turner accessory signals a strategic move by Amazon to enhance user experience through modular add-ons, catering to a desire for enhanced accessibility and convenience without requiring a full device upgrade. This approach allows Amazon to extend the life cycle of existing devices and potentially drive accessory sales, especially as the Click is compatible with Kindles dating back to 2024.

The inclusion of AI-driven features like "Recap" and the upcoming "Ask This Book" points to Amazon's continued investment in integrating intelligent functionalities into its e-readers, aiming to deepen user engagement with reading material. While these features might not appeal to all readers, their presence suggests a trend towards making e-readers more interactive and data-aware, potentially influencing how users consume and interact with digital content in the future.