Hands-on Amazon Kindle (2016) review: We check out the basic new £60 Kindle that Amazon has just refreshed for 2016, to see what’s changed over the original Kindle and how it compares with other Kindles like the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis.
The all-new Kindle is still great value at just £59.99, which is fifty quid cheaper than the next most affordable model, the Kindle Paperwhite. You might not get some of the more premium Kindle features, but it’s still a comfortable and enjoyable reading experience and an easy way to carry thousands on books on the go.
So, what’s different in this new 2016 Kindle model and how does it stack up against the competition? Here’s our full unboxing, hands-on review and comparison feature.
New Kindle (2016) vs Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Voyage vs Kindle Oasis: What’s the difference?
There are basic physical differences between the four different Kindle models, but the main changes you’ll notice concern the display and the built-in features.
All four Kindles sport a 6-inch display, with touch controls so you can tap the screen to change the page, swipe around the store and so on. However, while the basic Kindle has a low-resolution (167 pixels-per-inch) screen with no backlighting, the other Kindles boost the screen res to 300 ppi and also add backlighting, so you can read in the dark.
Every Kindle except for the most basic £60 model has the option of built-in free 3G, for downloading books even when you’re not connected to a WiFi network. This costs a bit extra, and isn’t necessarily worth it – after all, it’s easy enough to find WiFi almost anywhere you go these days.
The Voyage and Oasis also add physical side buttons for turning pages, while the Oasis comes bundled with a cool Amazon cover featuring a built-in second battery. However, the Kindle Oasis is also mega-expensive at almost £300.
Here’s a quick and easy comparison table to see what the difference is between the new Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis.
| Kindle | New Kindle (2016) | Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle Voyage | Kindle Oasis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 161g | 205g | 180g | 131g (238g with cover) |
| Thickness | 9.1mm | 9.1mm | 7.6mm | 8.5mm |
| Screen size | 6-inches | 6-inches | 6-inches | 6-inches |
| Screen resolution | 167ppi | 300ppi | 300ppi | 300ppi |
| Screen backlighting | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive backlight | No | No | Yes | No |
| Touchscreen? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Physical page buttons? | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free 3G? | No | Available | Available | Available |
| Price | £60 | £110 | £170 | £270 |
New Kindle (2016): What’s changed?
The main difference between this new 2016 Kindle and the old 2015 Kindle is the design. You can now pick up the basic Kindle in white as well as black, while it’s 11 percent thinner (9.1mm) and 16 percent lighter (161g). It’s also more comfortable to clutch, with pleasingly curved edges and corners.
The new 2016 Kindle now has the same home screen as other modern Kindles, which gives fast access to your library as well as recommendations, personalised reading lists and the rest. You also get Bluetooth support for the VoiceView Screen Reader feature, so you can enjoy book dictation through a speaker or headphones.
Check out our full all-new Kindle 2016 unboxing and hands-on review video below.
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