The all-new Amazon Kindle (2022) launched in India at Rs. 9,999. Compared to the previous model which was priced at Rs. 7,999, the newer model has received a noticeable price boost. On paper, the new Kindle (2022) comes with many useful upgrades. These include more storage space, a more compact and lighter design and a significantly better display compared to the previous model. But should you upgrade to it if you already own a 10th Gen model? More importantly, the slightly more expensive Kindle Paperwhite is a better deal at Rs. 13,999? Read on to find out.
Build quality and design of Amazon Kindle (2022).
the Amazon Kindle (2022) looks very different compared to all previous Kindle models. This is mainly due to the new cosmetic design and the fact that Amazon’s engineers managed to shrink the bezels while still keeping the display size at six inches. Now just 0.1mm thinner than the sleek-looking Kindle Paperwhite, the new Kindle is available in black and denim finishes. I received the latter finish for this review.
Most of the above changes are largely due to Amazon moving to what appears to be a simpler, frosted polycarbonate body. Without the optional cover, it feels far from premium, and since it lacks the soft, rubbery texture, it’s also very slippery. The logo with the big curved arrow (smile), which first appeared on the Ignite Paperwhite replaces the usual Amazon branding on the back.
The large embossed logo has some sharp edges, and so does the cutout for the USB Type-C port that eventually makes it to the base Kindle model too. Of course, you can attach the optional Kindle cloth sleeve, which comes in four colors for an additional Rs. 1,799 to make it feel more premium.
The new Kindle’s back panel and frame are made of polycarbonate and feel a bit cheap
One of the main benefits of the polycarbonate body is that it makes the new Kindle (2022) much lighter at 158g compared to the previous model. The body’s slightly coarse texture also means it doesn’t pick up a lot of fingerprints or smudges, which was the case on previous models, including the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.
When reading with one hand, the new Amazon Kindle (2022) is only slightly higher than that iPhone 14 pro, which makes it pretty convenient. For any kind of interaction with the software, e.g. B. browsing the library, but you still need to use both hands. Despite the shrunken size, the left and right edges have ample room and are thick enough to hold the Kindle well while reading without triggering accidental page turns.
I usually preferred to rest my thumb on the thicker bottom bezel (with my hand wrapped around the bottom corner). But since this Kindle is quite small, I was able to comfortably hold it in one hand, like a smartphone. Despite the plastic build quality (which also doesn’t lack an IP rating), the device felt fairly solid and didn’t creak under pressure.
Amazon Kindle (2022) display and performance
While the Amazon Kindle (2022)’s display hasn’t received an upgrade in terms of size or functionality, it has received a pretty useful upgrade in terms of resolution. It can now produce a much better 300ppi versus 167ppi in its predecessor. This upgrade sort of puts the base Kindle on par with the more expensive Paperwhite, which has a slightly larger 6.8-inch E Ink panel but the same 16-level grayscale depth. The surface of the display of the new Kindle feels very paper-like and can also be used without the front light if there is sufficient ambient light.
The new display has a pixel density of 300ppi, which is a solid improvement over the previous model
The 4-LED front light that made its way into the base Kindle last year is still present, but remains the same in terms of functionality, as it lacks the auto-adjustable warm-light feature available with the Paperwhite, which is what for a more pleasant and engaging ensures pleasant reading experience. The Kindle (2022)’s white front light might feel a bit harsh when reading at night, but it can be dimmed to a level of your choosing (0-24 levels). What I miss is the Paperwhite’s ability to automatically adjust the front light based on the ambient light, as this is not only very convenient but also helps with battery saving.
Since I hate manually adjusting the brightness level of the front light, I set it to level 13 on the Amazon Kindle (2022) for the test period. With about an hour of reading a night and Wi-Fi always on, the Kindle’s battery level dropped by barely 15 percent in a week. Based on that average, we can estimate that the Kindle (2022) will last a full month on a single charge if you also follow a similar usage style.
However, if you’re a hardcore reader (reading a few hours a day) you can expect it to last just over two weeks on one charge, with the front light and WiFi always on. The Kindle (2022) sure does take a while to charge, which I noticed when I first received the device. Amazon claims that a full charge takes about two hours with a 9W adapter, and I experienced something similar. Only one USB Type-C cable is included in the packaging.
The software experience is the same as any other Kindle
The Kindle (2022) comes standard with Kindle version 5.15.1, which takes up about 3GB of storage out of the 16GB available. For those who love to keep all their books on their Kindle, the upgrade from 8GB to 16GB is a nice touch indeed. You also get free Amazon cloud storage if you ever run out of storage. As far as the software experience goes, it’s pretty much the same experience as any older or recently launched Kindle that has been updated to the latest software.
The latest software features include a swipe menu that can be accessed from anywhere within the UI, giving access to quick controls like airplane mode, dark mode, syncing, a shortcut to the settings menu, and the front light brightness slider. Dark mode is very useful when reading at night, as it significantly reduces glare from the front light, leaving only the text visible.
Verdict
The Amazon Kindle (2022) comes with a few upgrades and the increase in storage certainly justifies its slightly higher price tag of Rs. 9,999. If you already own a 10th Gen Kindle, there’s no reason to upgrade to this unless you want an even smaller form factor or want more storage space for your e-books.
If you’re looking for your first e-reader and don’t really have a budget in mind, then it makes sense to spend a little more and get the new one Kindle Paperwhite (2022). It’s a better choice as it comes with a few luxuries (17 LED front light, adjustable warm light and IPX8 rating) along with a more modern design for additional Rs. 4,000 (for the 8GB variant). I’d only recommend buying the Kindle (2022) if you’re on a strict budget or looking for the most portable Kindle possible.
Advantages:
- Compact and lightweight design
- Gets more base memory
- High definition display
- USB Type-C port for charging
Disadvantages:
- The body feels a bit cheap and slippery
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