Difference Between Kindle And Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Which Amazon ereader should y'all buy?

Prototype credit: TechRadar

There are a few different Amazon Kindle ereaders to choose from, and while each of them is great for reading, they've all got different features. Yous're probably drawn to 2 of the most pop options: the Amazon Kindle, the cheaper basic model, and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, which is more expensive with a different cease and features. If y'all've read our Amazon Kindle review and Kindle Paperwhite review yous might have some questions on what sets these devices autonomously.

These are some of the best Kindles around only the question of 'Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite' is a big 1 since they accept dissimilar prices and unlike feature sets that might impact which model is right for you.

Nosotros've highlighted the key differentiators below, then you lot can make the correct reading choice before picking up a new ereader.

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Blueprint

A Kindle (2019) held in someone's hand, shown from the back — Both Kindles have a plain plastic back. (Epitome credit: TechRadar)

When it comes to the design of these two devices at that place isn't a huge amount of deviation. In fact, the nigh obvious departure is potentially just the colour, as while both ereaders come in black, the basic Amazon Kindle is also available in white, whereas the Kindle Paperwhite doesn't give you any colour pick - though both models have a selection of colorful cases available for them.

Otherwise, the look is similar, with both sporting a fairly plain plastic body and large bezels around the screen. In the Kindle Paperwhite'southward case though those bezels are flush with the screen, whereas they're raised on the basic Kindle. This leads to the Paperwhite looking and feeling slightly higher cease.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) on a wooden surface — The Paperwhite's bezels are flush with its screen. (Epitome credit: Futurity)

Dimensions and weight besides differ between the two, with the Amazon Kindle coming in at 160 ten 113 x 8.7mm and 174g, while the Kindle Paperwhite is 167 x 116 10 8.2mm and 182g (or 191g if you opt for a version with cellular connectivity). So the Paperwhite is slightly taller, wider and heavier but not quite every bit thick.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite too comes with water resistance. It's IPX8 rated, pregnant information technology can survive being submerged up to 2 meters deep in fresh water for upward to 60 minutes. So y'all tin safely read on the beach or in the bath. The basic Kindle comes with no such reassurances.

In terms of buttons and ports, both accept a power button and micro USB port on the lesser edge, and that'southward it. Everything else is handled by the touchscreen. It'south a shame there'due south no USB-C port on either model, simply even the premium Kindle Oasis model lacks that.

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Display

A Kindle (2019) propped up outside with the screen on — The Kindle'due south screen isn't as sharp equally the Paperwhite's. (Prototype credit: TechRadar)

Both the Amazon Kindle and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite accept a 6-inch display, and in both cases it's designed to be glare-free. The chief difference is how sharp it is, as while the basic Kindle's screen is 167 pixels per inch, the Paperwhite is 300 pixels per inch, then text looks crisper and closer to how information technology would appear printed on paper.

The difference is most noticeable when reading comics and the similar though. If yous're just looking at text the higher resolution won't usually brand a big divergence.

Both screens also have a front light, then you lot tin can read in the dark without needing an external low-cal source, merely the Paperwhite's can go brighter, equally information technology uses 5 LEDs, while the basic Amazon Kindle uses four.

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Specifications

A Kindle Paperwhite sat on a wooden table — The Paperwhite is meliorate for podcasts. (Paradigm credit: TechRadar)

There are two primary differences in the specs of these ereaders. The outset is that the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite comes with far more than storage, equally you tin can get it with 8GB or 32GB, while the bones Amazon Kindle only comes with 4GB.

This needn't be a major problem, since ebook files are usually tiny and if you're buying from Amazon they can be stored in the cloud when you're not actively reading them anyhow.

However, the storage space becomes more of a concern if y'all program to listen to audiobooks through Audible. That'south a characteristic both ereaders support, but it's far more viable on the Paperwhite - though arguably a smartphone is a amend choice for this than either of them.

The other major difference is that, as well equally Wi-Fi, you can go the Kindle Paperwhite in a Wi-Fi and cellular flavor (with complimentary 3G and 4G connectivity), whereas the basic Kindle just supports Wi-Fi.

For nearly people this once again shouldn't be a large bargain, but cellular data does mean you can purchase and download books whatsoever time, anywhere, whereas you lot're a bit more express with just Wi-Fi.

Most other things are like or the same, including their software and battery life, with both models offering weeks of life on a single accuse with typical usage.

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Toll

The Amazon Kindle starts at £69.99 / $89.99, but that's a version with adverts on the lock screen. If you'd rather non have adverts you'll have to pay £79.99 / $109.99. In Australia you can just go a version without adverts, which costs AU$139.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite on the other hand starts at £119.99 / $129.99 for the 8GB Wi-Fi version with adverts, but at that place are more options here.

For £129.99 / $149.99 / AU$199 y'all can get the same version without adverts, while for £149.99 / $159.99 you can get a 32GB Wi-Fi model with adverts, and for £159.99 / $179.99 / AU$249 y'all tin get that one without them. As earlier, Commonwealth of australia only has the ad-costless versions.

At the summit terminate there's a 32GB cellular version for £219.99 / $249.99 / AU$369 - in that location'south no selection to get this i with adverts.

In whatsoever example, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is substantially more expensive, starting at close to twice the basic Kindle's price earlier discounts.

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: Verdict

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is quite a lot more expensive than the bones Amazon Kindle, but it'due south still reasonably affordable and comfortably undercuts the likes of the Kindle Oasis.

The extra money that you'd have to spend for the Paperwhite gets you lot a sharper screen, more than storage, a slightly higher-finish blueprint, water resistance, a meliorate front light, and potentially cellular connectivity. Whether those things are worth it volition largely depend on when, where, what and how much you plan to read.

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Best Kindle: which Amazon ereader should you purchase?

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a honey for everything 'smart', from watches to lights, and tin oft be plant arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.great britain and has written for T3, Digital Camera Earth, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on Goggle box.