The Amazon Kindle (2022): A Worthy Upgrade or a Pricey Dilemma?
The all-new Amazon Kindle (2022) has arrived in India with a price tag of Rs. 9,999, a noticeable jump from its predecessor’s Rs. 7,999. While the new model boasts several attractive upgrades, including more storage, a compact design, and a significantly improved display, the question arises: is it worth the price increase for existing Kindle owners? And more importantly, does the slightly pricier Kindle Paperwhite offer a better value proposition at Rs. 13,999? Let’s delve into the details to discover the answers.
Amazon Kindle (2022) Build Quality and Design
The Amazon Kindle (2022) sports a striking new look compared to its predecessors, thanks to a fresh cosmetic design and cleverly shrunk bezels while maintaining a 6-inch display. The new Kindle is now even thinner than the sleek Kindle Paperwhite, and is available in Black and Denim color options.
The new design is largely due to a switch to a matte-finished polycarbonate body. While this helps achieve a lighter weight, it feels less premium than the previous models and lacks the soft rubber-like texture, making it quite slippery. The large curved arrow (smile) logo, first seen on the Kindle Paperwhite, replaces the standard Amazon branding on the back panel. However, the logo’s sharp edges and the cutout for the new USB Type-C port might not appeal to everyone. Those seeking a more premium feel can opt for the optional Kindle Fabric Cover (available in four colors for Rs. 1,799).
One of the key benefits of the polycarbonate body is the significantly reduced weight of the new Kindle, now only 158g compared to its predecessor. This, combined with its slightly coarse texture, makes it less prone to fingerprints and smudges.
The new Kindle’s compact size is quite comfortable for single-handed reading, being only slightly taller than an iPhone 14 Pro. However, interacting with the software, like browsing your library, requires using both hands. Despite its smaller size, the thicker bezels on the sides provide ample space for a comfortable grip while reading, preventing accidental page turns.
While the device’s build quality lacks an IP rating, it feels solid and doesn’t creak under pressure.
Amazon Kindle (2022) Display and Performance
While the size and functionality of the display remain unchanged, the Amazon Kindle (2022) boasts a significant upgrade in resolution, now delivering a crisp 300ppi compared to the 167ppi of its predecessor. This puts the basic Kindle on par with the more expensive Paperwhite, which offers a slightly larger 6.8-inch E Ink display with the same 16-level grayscale depth. The display’s surface feels incredibly paper-like and allows for reading without the front light in well-lit environments.
The 4-LED front light, introduced in the previous Kindle model, remains the same, lacking the auto-adjustable warm light feature found on the Paperwhite. This feature provides a more comfortable and pleasing reading experience at night. The white front light on the Kindle (2022) can seem harsh in contrast, but its brightness can be adjusted (0-24 levels) to your preference. However, the lack of automatic brightness adjustment, present in the Paperwhite, is a missed opportunity.
Despite the absence of automatic brightness adjustment, the Kindle (2022) boasts an impressive battery life. With about an hour of reading per night and Wi-Fi enabled, the battery level barely dropped by 15% over a week. This suggests a full month of battery life on a single charge under similar usage patterns. For avid readers spending several hours daily, the battery life could last for over two weeks with the front light and Wi-Fi always on.
While the charging time is quite long, as expected with E Ink devices, it takes about two hours to fully charge using a 9W adapter, as claimed by Amazon. The package includes a USB Type-C cable for charging.
The Kindle (2022) comes with Kindle version 5.15.1 software out of the box, which occupies about 3GB of space from the available 16GB storage. This upgrade from 8GB to 16GB is a welcome addition for readers who like to store a large collection of ebooks. The device also provides free Amazon cloud storage if you ever run out of space.
The software experience, familiar to users of other Kindles, includes a swipe-down menu accessible from anywhere, offering quick controls like airplane mode, dark mode, sync, settings menu shortcut, and brightness slider. Dark mode, particularly useful during nighttime reading, effectively cuts down glare, emphasizing text visibility.
Verdict
The Amazon Kindle (2022) offers several upgrades, particularly the increased storage capacity, which justifies its slightly higher price tag of Rs. 9,999. However, for owners of the 10th generation Kindle, the upgrade isn’t essential unless you prioritize a smaller form factor or more storage space.
For first-time e-reader buyers with a more flexible budget, the new Kindle Paperwhite (2022) is a more compelling option. It comes with features like 17-LED front light, adjustable warm light, IPX8 rating, and a contemporary design, for an extra Rs. 4,000 (for the 8GB variant).
The Kindle (2022) is suitable for budget-conscious individuals or those specifically seeking the most portable Kindle available.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design
- Increased base storage
- High-resolution display
- USB Type-C charging port
Cons:
- Body feels less premium and slippery
- Lack of automatic brightness adjustment
