Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft 16GB (2025) Finally Brings a Splash of Color to E-Readers

Amazon has historically dominated e-readers with devices that prioritize crisp text and long reading sessions, and the new Kindle Colorsoft, priced at $189.99 (was $249.99), is no exception. Standard Kindles offer black-and-white pages that appear quite similar to paper. Amazon has now stepped up their game with their first model that includes color. This 7-inch gadget is designed right on top of the Kindle Paperwhite foundation, but it features entirely new display technology.

Holding the Colorsoft in your hand, you’ll notice a lot of recognizable aspects. The body is 5 by 7 inches and weighs approximately 7 ounces, making one-handed reading a breeze for hours on end. The smooth plastic back of the gadget offers a nice feel that provides a solid grip without adding bulk. The waterproofing is adequate; it is IPX8 rated and can withstand immersion in fresh water for up to an hour. Charging occurs via USB-C; it is not very speedy, but a full recharge takes approximately 2.5 hours with a regular adapter.

The display details are what really set this model different, since Amazon has a customized version of E Ink Kaleido technology that has been fine-tuned for color. Black-and-white content is still shown at 300 pixels per inch for razor-sharp typography. The color bits are slightly lower (150 pixels per inch), but the covers, graphics, and comics all have more depth. The front light has been brightened up, and the particular coatings employed make the colors appear more vibrant than on any other color e-reader.

When you open a graphic novel or manga, you’ll be blown away by the darker blacks and the way the colours just fill in the panels. In library view, the book covers are more crisper now, making browsing a lot more delightful experience. You can even highlight sections in yellow, orange, blue, or pink now, which is quite useful for keeping your notes organized. For regular novels, the text remains the primary focus, but the additional color palette adds some wonderful extras such as drawings and maps.

The battery life is still excellent,as Amazon claims you can get up to 8 weeks of use if you read for half an hour every day with the wireless turned off and the lights set to moderate. Actual users report that it normally lasts a few weeks with heavier use, such as an hour or two each day. Using it to listen to audiobooks over Bluetooth reduces the time significantly, but the standby drain is little.

Amazon has gradually incorporated new features to the software, such as double touch page turns and redesigned home screens. The previous version had a minor issue with a yellow band running along the bottom of the screen; however, this is largely apparent in photographs. Amazon resolved the issue by replacing and modifying the devices, and now all of the new units appear to be consistent.