Kindle Paperwhite 2018 – feature round-up

When you take into consideration all new features and improvements, using the phrase “all-new” is more justified than any other Amazon device released in the previous two years.

Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits.

1. Water resistant, IPX8 rating

The waterproof design was a feature many Kindle lovers wanted to see in the most popular Kindle model – and there it is!

The 2018 Kindle Paperwhite bears IPX8 water resistance badge. It means the device can withstand immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes.

It also means that you can clean the Paperwhite with water, what may be useful when you go back from a sandy beach, or accidentally spill coffee on the display.

The fact that the favorite device is safe in contact with water will encourage many users to read more often in the bathtub or take the Paperwhite on active holidays.

2. Flush-front, modern design

When we look at the new Kindle Paperwhite, we immediately see it is different from the 2015 model. It’s because the screen (the same as before) is covered by the edge-to-edge glass – a solution you’ve seen before in Kindle Voyage or Oasis.

Amazon claims that the new Kindle Paperwhite is the thinnest and lightest Paperwhite ever released. It is true, but the improvements are insignificant.

The width and height are smaller only by 1-2 mm. The device is thinner by 0.9 mm compared to its predecessor (8.2 mm vs. 9.1 mm), and it’s where the change is noticeable.

The 4th-generation Kindle Paperwhite weighs 182 grams, which is only 2 grams more than the same Wi-Fi-only version of the Kindle Voyage.

3. Ready to play Audible audiobooks

The Paperwhite is the last model from the current range of Amazon e-readers to include Bluetooth chip.

The Bluetooth will enable you to connect headphones or a speaker, and this is a way to listen to Audible audiobooks on your new Kindle Paperwhite.

The e-reader’s software comes with a simple Audible player. You can play both audiobooks purchased in the Audible Store and audiobook companions bought for Kindle books you already own.

What you have to keep in mind is that none of the Kindle models offered in 2018 has a headphone jack. Forget about your old headphones. You need to buy Bluetooth earphones or speakers to be able to listen to audiobooks on your Kindle.

4. Bigger storage

One of the most common feature requests for the new generation of Kindle Paperwhite was to increase internal memory or offer different versions based on memory size.

And the 2018 comes with the same storage options as the Kindle Oasis 2. You can choose between:

• 8 GB – approximately 6 GB are available to the user. You will be able to download thousands of ebooks, or some 30 – 40 full-length audiobooks in standard quality,
• 32 GB – 27 GB are available for the user; the rest is used by system files. You should be able to download at least 150 Audible audiobooks.

5. Six months of Kindle Unlimited for free

This limited-time offer is one of the most significant reasons to buy Kindle Paperwhite 4, and we hope any e-reader introduced in the future will come with the same offer.

If you buy the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite now or in coming weeks, you will get Kindle Unlimited ebook subscription free of charge for six months! None of the previously offered deals on this popular subscription-based service was even close to this promotion.

Every avid book lover considers getting Kindle Unlimited at some point. The service costs $9.99 per month. If you’ve tried Kindle Unlimited before and canceled the subscription, you are not eligible to get the 30-day free trial again for the same Amazon account.

And now, if you’ve planned to buy the new Kindle this shopping season, you can get six months of Kindle Unlimited free of charge. It means you keep $60 in your pocket!

6. New case covers, including water-safe fabric

Although the dimensions of the new Kindle Paperwhite are only a bit smaller than the predecessor, any current cover that includes a plastic backshell won’t fit the new generation.

If you have the Paperwhite cover with a leather frame, you can still use it, but the position of the power button at the bottom edge has changed.

Luckily, together with Kindle Paperwhite 4, Amazon is releasing an extended range of original case covers. All have the same backshell, open like a book, support auto sleep / wake feature, and are superb slim. You can choose from colors and materials used for the front:

• premium leather cover – crafted from premium leather featuring a ruggedly smooth finish. Price: $59.99,
• textured leather cover – they are made from natural leather, and available in four colors: Black, Cobalt Purple, Merlot, and Punch Red. Price: $39.99,
• water-safe fabric – these are the most interesting covers for the new Kindle Paperwhite. They are water safe, so nothing will happen if you treat them with water. Three color variants resemble the color code of Fire tablets: Canary Yellow, Marine Blue, and Charcoal Black. Price: $29.99.

All covers are available for pre-order right now, and they start shipping together with the 4th-generation Kindle Paperwhite – on November 7, 2018.

Kindle Paperwhite 4 (2018) comparisons

After discontinuing Kindle Voyage earlier this year, the Paperwhite becomes the middle-shelf Amazon e-reader.

The three-model range is going to stay for a long time, as this is the most effective way to meet various customer needs, at the same time keeping development and production costs at the low level.

Right now, you can get an advanced 7-inch waterproof Oasis. Or the smaller and simpler waterproof Paperwhite for half of the price. Or the same-size basic Kindle for half of the price.

The upgrade of the Kindle Paperwhite is greater than expected. Besides getting the Bluetooth chip allowing to play audiobooks, the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite is finally waterproof, having the same IPX8 rating as Kindle Oasis 2.

As you have seen in the table, none of the Kindle e-readers sports microSD card – something useful if you want to download a lot of ebooks, comics, magazines, or audiobooks to enjoy offline. On the other side, the 32 GB version of Oasis or Paperwhite enables you to download approximately 150 audiobooks, which is enough for even the longest holiday with no connection to the web.

Finally, all Kindle models are capable of playing Audible audiobooks. They don’t have the headphone jack, but Bluetooth module, so you’ll have to use Bluetooth-enabled headphones or speakers.

With the introduction of the new Kindle Paperwhite, we have to update our Black Friday 2018 deal predictions. The price of the new Paperwhite won’t probably go under $100 (what was possible for the earlier generation). We bet that you could be able to grab the entry version (8 GB, Wi-Fi only, special offers) for $109.99. Also, we can expect the price of the basic Kindle to reach the new low – $39.99?

Kindle Paperwhite 4th-generation – tech specs

Below, you will find the full tech specifications of the all-new Kindle Paperwhite 4 (2018 release).

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 4 (2018) in pictures

Take a closer look at the newest Kindle Paperwhite.

Kindle Paperwhite 4 (2018) – product info

In the last part of this round-up, we present highlights from the Kindle Paperwhite 2018 product page on Amazon, which focus on the most important features.