Is the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Worth the Upgrade? A Full Review
Discover if the Kindle Colorsoft's color display and upgraded features make it worth the investment in our detailed review
Kindle Colorsoft makes perfect sense and it’s surprising it took this long to arrive. If you’re considering a new Kindle, the Colorsoft is a great choice. Once you’ve seen this screen, older monochrome Kindles may feel outdated.
I especially enjoyed reading graphic novels and comics on Kindle Colorsoft. Even something as simple as browsing my Kindle library with color covers was a fun experience. I just wish Amazon allowed me to choose which cover edition to display, especially for well-designed books like Southern Reach series. Maybe that feature will come in future. For now, I enjoy seeing the book covers on my lock screen while I’m reading.
Kindle Colorsoft’s scrolling and zooming are impressive, something E Ink devices usually struggle with. If the Colorsoft had issues like ghosting, it wouldn’t be as enjoyable. Instead, it’s the fastest, smoothest e-reader I’ve used, whether reading in color or black and white.
This Kindle is also water-resistant, like the Paperwhite, making it safe to read in the bath. It’s even durable enough to handle saltwater, as long as you rinse it with fresh water afterward.
However, build quality isn’t exactly premium. While it feels tough, it’s not as refined as other devices, especially the Paperwhite Signature Edition. Still, with a good case, plastic exterior won’t matter much. What really matters is the display and Colorsoft shines in this area. It’s bright, vivid, and perfect for graphic novels, though I wouldn’t recommend it for photography art books.
If you’re overdue for a Kindle upgrade, now’s the time. It’s been a while since Amazon released a new Kindle, so most readers are due for one.
Other color e-readers like Kobo Libra Colour, have great hardware too, but you may not notice the difference in display quality. I personally have more books on Kindle but if you prefer Kobo or use your local library through Libby, the Kobo is a solid option.
Do you really need color? If you’re not into graphic novels, probably not. But with color now available, Kindle Colorsoft is the one I’d buy. It doesn’t feel like an early version of something new—it’s just a great Kindle in color and it might be the best Kindle yet.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Specification
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 📌 Base Price | $279.99 / £269.99 |
| 📱 Screen Size | 7 inches |
| 💾 Storage Capacity | 32GB |
| 📐 Screen Resolution | 300 ppi (black & white), 150 ppi (color) |
| ⚖️ Weight | 219 grams |
| 📏 Dimensions | 127.6 mm x 176.7 mm x 7.8 mm |
| 💡 Lighting | 12 white LEDs, 13 amber LEDs |
| 🔋 Battery Duration | Up to 8 weeks with 30 minutes/day at brightness level 13 |
| 📄 File Compatibility | Supports Kindle, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC; converts PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB formats |
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Price and Availability
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition costs $279.99 / £269.99 for 32GB of storage, but there’s no release date for Australia yet. It’s expensive, making it a luxury item rather than a device for everyone. Hopefully, the price will drop over time, but don’t expect discounts anytime soon.
Colorsoft Signature Edition is $80 / £80 more expensive than the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, mainly for the color feature. The base model Kindle Paperwhite is $120 / £110 cheaper, but it lacks wireless charging, which some may find unnecessary on an e-reader.
Is the extra cost worth it? Color feature adds a 75% price increase compared to the Paperwhite. While it might feel pricey, the Colorsoft offers a nice luxury experience. However, the build quality doesn’t feel as premium, and adding some metallic paint could make it feel more luxurious.
If you’re already invested in Kindle, this is an easy choice. But if you use other services or prefer a device with more features, like stylus support and physical buttons for turning pages, the Kobo Libra Colour at $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359.95 might be worth considering. It offers more for a lower price and resembles the now-discontinued Kindle Oasis, which had a premium feel.
For Kindle users and Kindle Unlimited subscribers, the Colorsoft is a great choice. But if you use different e-book platforms, you may want to look at the Kobo before deciding. While it doesn’t perform as smoothly as the Kindle, it might still be a solid option.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Design
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition has a simple design, but it feels a bit cheap. It has a matte black plastic back and only comes in one color, unlike the Paperwhite Signature, which offers metallic finishes. While some may prefer a cover for the Kindle, it would be nice to see a more premium build, like the old Kindle Oasis.
The Colorsoft has just a power button and no page-turning buttons, which might be a downside for some users. If you prefer physical buttons, the Kobo Libra offers that option. The Colorsoft has a USB-C port for charging and connecting to a PC, along with wireless charging support. Amazon also offers a charging stand for convenience.
The power button’s placement is not ideal; it’s easy to accidentally turn off the screen if you rest the Kindle a certain way. It’s a small issue, but it would be better if the button were placed elsewhere.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Display
Kindle Colorsoft uses a Kaleido 3 color display from E Ink, with custom tweaks by Amazon. This display combines black-and-white E Ink technology with an added color layer, making it great for reading comics and books. The color pixels are less dense, which allows the Kindle to zoom and pan smoothly, without ghosting or artifacts.
Unlike devices with a backlight, the Kindle Colorsoft is lit from the front, offering a bright and even display. It has both warm and cool LED lights, reducing blue light for reading at night. The color layer is evenly lit, giving pages a paper-like appearance, without the glossy look of a tablet or iPad.
While there’s a slight yellowing at the bottom of the display on some devices, it’s minimal and doesn’t affect reading. Amazon is addressing the issue and offering replacements if needed. Overall, the Kindle Colorsoft provides a great color reading experience, especially for graphic novels.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Software
Kindle Colorsoft uses the same simple software as previous Kindle devices, keeping things distraction-free. However, with improved performance and the new display, the Kindle Colorsoft offers a smoother experience, eliminating previous issues like delays or missed taps.
Amazon’s software is designed to work well for users who buy books directly from Kindle. If you use other methods, like borrowing books through apps like Libby, you may need to put in a little extra work. Unfortunately, you can’t run third-party apps on the Kindle Colorsoft, so you can’t read comics from publishers like Marvel or DC directly. However, Amazon offers Comixology with a limited selection.
The Kindle Colorsoft includes a basic web browser, but it struggles with complex pages. You can also use Goodreads to track and review books, which looks great on the Kindle’s display.
Kindle Colorsoft Signature performance
Kindle Colorsoft offers surprisingly fast performance for an E Ink device. The screen now responds quickly when you tap it, and zooming and panning through pages is smooth, whether in color or black and white.
In the past, E Ink displays had issues with ghosting and delays, but these problems are gone. While the refresh rate is still slower than a smartphone, it’s much improved. Overall, the Kindle Colorsoft turns pages faster and performs better than previous models, making it a more enjoyable reading experience.
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Battery
Kindle Colorsoft has great battery life, lasting up to eight weeks with daily half-hour reading at moderate brightness. In my tests, I got over eight weeks of reading, though I used it more intensively. The battery lasts about 20+ hours of reading even with higher brightness.
Device uses power slowly, whether reading in color or black and white. While it doesn’t charge quickly, you can read while it’s charging, and there’s also wireless charging available with a charging stand.
Pros and Cons of Kindle Colorsoft Signature
| 🟢Pros | 🔴Cons |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Color on Kindle | 🔴 Not premium for the price |
| ⚡ Fast refresh and zooming | 🚫 No Marvel/DC subscriptions |
| 🌟 Bright, even display | 🔘 No page-turn buttons |
| 🏃♂️ Smooth performance | 🚫 No third-party apps |
| 🔋 Long battery life | 🕒 Slow charging speed |
Conclusion
Kindle Colorsoft delivers impressive performance with E Ink and offers Amazon’s great Kindle library. It’s an expensive upgrade, but it will change how we use Kindles.
