Kindle Paperwhite Review

Last Updated on October 11, 2022 by Ernests Embutnieks

Here is everything you need to know about the Kindle Paperwhite 4th generation which finally has a Bluetooth module that enables listening to audiobooks.

Kindle Paperwhite becomes Amazon’s middle-shelf e-reader. Amazon discontinued the previous Kindle Voyage when they released the Kindle Paperwhite. Amazon has really upgraded the new Kindle Paperwhite, as it is almost on par with the high-end Kindle Oasis but with half its price.

The smooth look and display are a thing of beauty, on top of that the waterproof ipx rating matches that of the Kindle Oasis 2. The strong battery life is also a huge plus on the Kindle Paperwhite.  

We will delve into the qualities of the Kindle Paperwhite a bit later but Amazon has bulked up their 4th generation Kindle Paperwhite with everything they can. The increase in storage is yet another feather in their cap, as it lets you download and read thousands of books or store them in your library.

Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best Kindle’s to ever be produced. They are affordable and brimmed with the latest upgrades. It is a sophisticated device and once used, you will definitely feel it.

If this is the first Kindle you ever own, then what a smart device you’ll be owning. 

Specifications of the Kindle Paperwhite

• Display: 6 inches screen size, 1448 x 1072 pixels screen resolution, 300 ppi density. 16-level grayscale
• Dimensions: 6.6 × 4.6 × 0.3 in, 167 × 116 × 8.2 mm
• Waterproof: Yes, with an IPX8 rating
• Weight: 0.4 lbs (182 g)
• Storage: 8GB, 32GB
• Bluetooth: Yes, Bluetooth 4.2

How Can You Use The Kindle Paperwhite Apart From Reading? 

• For Browsing the Web

Kindle lets you do limited browsing. As there is no color, java, or other multimedia support, Kindle lets you view only text. It is still enough to let you search and read wikipedia or read your favorite blogs.

• For Games and Applications

The Kindle store contains lots of free and paid games. From puzzle-oriented to card games. You can also buy note-taking apps from the store and download them straight onto your device.

• For Carrying Personal Documents

You get a personalized email with the new Kindle Paperwhite, so you can upload PDF and Word documents straight into your device. 

Features Of The Kindle Paperwhite

• Display

The display of the 4th generation Kindle Paperwhite has not changed from its 3rd generation predecessor. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The display is super smooth just like the previous version. 

The 6-inch screen size is more than sufficient and with the 1448 x 1072 pixels resolution, the reading experience is only enhanced. 

Kindle Paperwhite also has the added advantage of being glare-free, where direct sunlight doesn’t temper your reading. The glare of the sun or light won’t resonate on the device as phones and laptops do. 

Kindle Paperwhite has also equipped with 5 built-in LED lights. You can also display the cover of the book you’re reading on the lock screen. 

• Storage

Kindle Paperwhite comes with improved storage than the previous generation. Kindle Paperwhite offers double the storage than the 3rd generation Kindle Paperwhite. You get the option of either an 8GB device or the massive 32GB device. 

Of course in the 2 variants, there are sub-variants. You can buy either a Wi-Fi model or a cellular model in the 32GB variant, while there is no other option but to go with the Wi-Fi model in the 8GB variant. 

In the 8GB model, you get approximately 6GB storage i.e around 35 audible audiobooks, while in the 32GB model, you get approximately 27GB worth of storage i.e around 135 audible audiobooks. 

There is free cloud storage for all the Amazon content.

• Design

The design of the Kindle Paperwhite is really sleek, the glass design is edge-to-edge. It looks more and more like a premium device and closer to what Kindle Oasis looks like. 

Kindle Paperwhite’s 4th generation is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. While the 4th generation device is 8.22 mm thin, the 3rd generation device is 9.1 mm thin. There is a noticeable difference when you look at the two devices.

Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best companions for traveling as it is light, thin, and ready to go. 

The biggest and the most obvious improvement and upgrade in the 4th gen Kindle Paperwhite is the Waterproof feature. Amazon has finally introduced the feature in the latest generation of the device. 

The device has an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means it can withstand immersion in 2-meter deep water for up to 60 minutes!

The waterproof feature is especially a welcome feature for those who want to read the Kindle in a bathtub or on holidays near the pool or on the beach. 

• Battery Life

The battery life is massive in the Kindle Paperwhite just as the other latest Amazon designs. The battery can last for weeks rather than hours as claimed by Amazon. The research is based on the evidence of it being used for half an hour a day with the light setting set at 13. 

Of course, the battery life will vary as per different light settings. 

One full charge of the device is good for a few weeks and it takes around 3 hours to fully charge via the 5W USB adapter that comes with the device. 

• Connectivity

You can finally listen to the audible audiobooks on the Kindle Paperwhite 4th generation. The Bluetooth mode helps you connect the headphones and listen to audible audiobooks. 

Unfortunately, as it is with the latest models none of the Kindles provide a headphone jack so you need to keep those wireless Bluetooth headphones handy. 

As discussed earlier, Kindle Paperwhite does come with two variants, while the 8GB version offers only a Wi-Fi model, the 32GB version offers both a Wi-Fi as well as a Cellular model. 

• Portability 

It doesn’t get better than this. Kindle Paperwhite is lighter, has a great battery life, and may even fit in your overcoat. The device is handy and a perfect traveling companion. 

What’s Inside the Box?

Amazon has provided the following things inside the box.

• Kindle Paperwhite
• 5W USB 2.0 charging cable
• Quick Start Guide

Kindle Voyage vs Kindle Paperwhite

If you’re putting a device out one after the other then this is the way to do it. Kindle Voyage and Kindle Paperwhite both have different qualities. While Voyage has been discontinued, you can still buy refurbished Kindle Voyage. 

In some ways, Kindle Paperwhite is an upgrade over the Kindle Voyage, while there are still other things in which Voyage still carries an advantage over Paperwhite. 

Before we look at the things that set apart both the devices, let’s take a look at things that are similar in the two devices:

• 6-inch screen
• 300-pixel density
• Battery life
• Glare-free

Differences between Kindle Voyage and Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite 3rd Generation vs Kindle Paperwhite 4th Generation

Whenever a newer generation device is released, an upgrade is expected. The same is the case with Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen. The upgrades are pretty prominent but the specs and features that made the Kindle 3rd gen tick are still there.

The price of the Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen is just $10 more than the 3rd gen, so the new generation device won’t put a dent in your pocket and for just $10 more, you get a whole lot of improvements and upgrades. 

Which has the better screen?

The display and screen don’t have a remarkable difference. Although the display screen in the Kindle Paperwhite 4th generation now comes with an added plastic protection. 

The screen size remains the same, while the pixel density varies as the 3rd gen has 1440 x 1080 resolution and the 4th gen has 1072 x 1448 resolution. 

The Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen has more LED front light with 5 LED lights as compared to 4 LED lights in the 3rd gen. Again it is not a significant upgrade but you would notice it nonetheless. Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen has multitouch which the 3rd gen doesn’t.

Which has the better Waterproofing?

This just isn’t a fair comparison. Kindle Paperwhite 3rd gen is not waterproof at all. The 4th gen Kindle Paperwhite takes the bulk of the brownie points in this field. 

Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen is fully waterproof with an IPX8 waterproof rating. The device can be fully submerged up to 2 meters in the freshwater for 60 minutes. 

Waterproof devices are always more compatible to the travelers who like to read near the poolside or on the beach. Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen offers exactly that and hence beats the 3rd gen with quite an ease in this department.

Which has the better Storage?

Another remarkable improvement in the Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen is the storage space. While the 3rd generation only offered 4GB of the storage facility, Kindle Paperwhite 4th gen offers two variants of 8GB and 32GB. 

It is a remarkable rise in storage space. You get more space for your books storage. 

Which device has a Bluetooth feature?

These are the types of upgrades that you want and need. While the 3rd gen did not offer Bluetooth feature, the 4th gen Kindle Paperwhite offers the Bluetooth feature which connects your headphones to your Kindle device for audiobooks and VoiceView. 

Verdict After Testing Both The Devices

If you’re getting all the above upgrades for just a $10 bump in price then you definitely have to go for the Kindle Paperwhite 4th generation. It just makes sense to go for an upgraded device with better features than the previous one. 

Our main criteria for buying the 4th gen device hinges on the features of Waterproof and Bluetooth. In this day and age, you need all these features on your device. Especially when you are a traveler and an avid reader. 

Also, why wouldn’t you buy a device with better features when it costs only $10 more than the previous model! 

Final Verdict

If you are looking to buy a Kindle then the Kindle Paperwhite is highly recommended. It’s not just the affordable pricing but you actually get quite a few upgrades from the previous model, while you almost get all the main features of the Kindle Oasis as well. 

A reading device with cool features and design is what you will get as a package with the Kindle Paperwhite and it will be worth every penny. 

Frequently Asked Questions