The basic Kindle – feature roundup, tech specs, pics, and more

Here is everything you wanted to know about the newest Kindle, in a handy roundup packed with comparisons, specs, and pics.

Almost three years after Kindle 8, the next-generation entry-level Kindle has been announced by Amazon, and it brings one feature you should be excited to have.

The new basic Kindle 2019 ships on April 10, in black and white color variants, complete with a range of original fabric covers.

The biggest improvement is a front-lighted display.

Four LED lamps embedded around the screen spread an even light letting you read in the dark without the need to turn on an external light. Amazon is proud of this feature, saying that the newest basic Kindle is “the first Kindle with a front light for under $100.”

This feature alone makes the price of the newest Kindle go up by $10, to $89.99, for the variant with special offers. The ad-free version costs as usual $20 more – $109.99.

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Features Comparisons Tech specs Pics

Just like Kindle Paperwhite 4, the new Kindle is offered with three months of Kindle Unlimited free of charge. The subscription is worth almost $30, and you will receive instructions by email how to redeem it.

The international version is also available in the US Kindle Store and it costs $109.99.

Keep reading to learn more about improvements, compare to other Kindle models, dive into full tech specs, and see a selection of the best pictures.

Kindle 2019 – feature roundup

While the front light is the new Kindle’s major upgrade, there are a few things that have been changed or modified.

Let’s go through them in detail.

Adjustable front light

So far, the basic Kindle was the book lover’s best companion when reading outside. Opposite to LCD displays of tablets or smartphones, an e-paper technology allows to clearly display the text even in the brightest sun. Try to read on the iPad or Amazon Fire in the similar conditions. The screen is too dark, even when the brightness level is set to 100%.

Now, you will be able to read on the Kindle also in the dark without the need to turn on an external source of light. You won’t need a bedside light to read in bed while your husband is sleeping. You won’t need to light garden lanterns when you are binge-reading a new YA series long into the warm summer night.

It’s thanks to the front light. It’s a system that is already offered in both Paperwhite 4 and Oasis 2.

There are 4 tiny LED lamps placed around the display, under the front bezel. They spread an even light over the display, making the text visible even during the darkest night.

The light is adjustable. You can set the level manually to fit light conditions and your preferences.

One thing is worth highlighting. The front light is not hurting your eyes the way LCD screens do. The lights in the Kindle are directed horizontally across the surface of the screen, not directly into your eyes. Thanks to that, you can read for long hours without causing eye strain.

A display with a better contrast

When looking at the photos of the previous-generation Kindle, you’ve immediately spotted that the screen was not white but rather gray. It was particularly visible when contrasted with the bezel in the white version.

These days are gone. Amazon claims that the 2019 Kindle “includes updated electronic ink technology for better contrast.”

The tech specs of the display are the same as in the previous generation: resolution of 800 × 600 px, pixel density of 167 ppi, and 16 grayscale levels. However, in the technical details section on Kindle 2019 product page we read: “Amazon’s 6-inch display with built-in light.” In the 2016 model, it was E-Ink Pearl display.

The contrast of the screen had to be improved if it was meant to work with the front light.

Smoother design

The new design makes the 2019 Kindle look modern and feminine. The shape has more curves and gives an impression the e-reader is lighter and smaller.

Let’s compare it with the specs. The 2019 has the same width and height as the predecessor. The only improvement is the depth: 0.34 in compared to 0.36 in the 2016 model.

What may come as a surprise, the newest Kindle is not lighter, although it looks so. It weighs 5.7 oz and is heavier by 0.4 oz than Kindle 8. The front light system is here to blame.

Kindle Unlimited free for 3 months

The Kindle Unlimited bundle introduced with the launch of Kindle Paperwhite 4 seems to be an important factor in boosting sales of the new model.

The basic Kindle 2019 model comes with the free Kindle Unlimited plan, as well. When you buy the e-reader, you become eligible to get the 3-month Kindle Unlimited plan free of charge, that’s worth $30.

If you don’t cancel the subscription during this free subscription plan, you will start a regular subscription and get charged $9.99 every month.

Redemption instructions will be sent to you via email shortly after your Kindle ships. You are not obliged to redeem the code, but if you are going to use it, make sure it happens in the next few months. The Kindle Unlimited bundle is a limited-time offer. Looking at the example of Paperwhite 4, we can say that it will be gone by May 2019.

Original Amazon case covers

Just like any new other newly launched Amazon device, the 2019 Kindle comes accompanied by original accessories.

So far, only fabric Kindle covers have been released. Four color options are available: Charcoal Black, Marine Blue, Punch Red, and Sandstone White.

The last option is especially interesting. It’s the white-beige cover that would be a perfect match for the white Kindle.

Will original Amazon leather covers be released for the 2019 Kindle? We hope so. Maybe we will not see a premium genuine leather cover any time soon, but we believe the basic leather lineup (the same as for the Paperwhite) will be launched in the coming weeks.

Are you looking for case alternatives? We’ve published a round-up of the best Kindle 2019 cases and sleeves for your inspiration.

Basic Kindle 2019 in comparisons

With the release of the 2019 entry-level Kindle, the modern book lover’s major question is back: which Kindle should I buy?

Below, we will compare major features and specs of current Kindle models, but the decision boils down to answering a far more important question: what are my reading preferences? We’ve got a handy quiz that will help you define which Kindle model suits you the most.

When it comes to features, we’ve got them covered in a table below. After discontinuing the Voyage last year, the Kindle range is simplified, making it much easier to pick up the most suitable model.

The latest entry-level Kindle has been updated with one of the most sought-after features – the front light. Therefore, all Kindle models offer now the features a vast majority of users is looking for:

• Ability to read both in the bright sun and in the darkness.
• Long battery life allowing you to read for weeks without the need to recharge.
• Ability to play Audible audiobooks via connected Bluetooth speakers or headphones.

The question which Kindle to choose is all about making a decision which extra features you need to have – and how much extra cost you are willing to cover.

If you need a bigger screen than the standard 6-inch (which is comparable to the paperback size), you are looking into Kindle Oasis 2.

If you need a waterproof device, you will have to choose between Paperwhite 4 and Oasis 2. On the other side, you should ask yourself a question: do I want to pay extra $40 for the Paperwhite to get the waterproof device?

If you need the display with the high contrast and crisp text, you should forget about the basic Kindle. Its screen has been improved, but still it has worse resolution and pixel density, what makes the text less readable.

If you are planning to use the Kindle as an audiobook player, don’t pick up the basic Kindle. With its 4 GB of memory, you will be able to download only some 15 to 20 audiobook files. It’s better to choose the Paperwhite that comes with either 8 or 32 GB of internal memory.

If you need a white Kindle, the only model you can pick up right now is the basic Kindle 2019. However, the white Paperwhite may be launched this year, so if you are not in a hurry, you can wait a few months.

Kindle 9 (2019 release) – tech specs

Here is a handy table that collects all important data tech specs of the newest basic Kindle model released in 2019.

Screen	Amazon’s 6-inch e-paper touchscreen
Levels of gray	16
Front light	Yes, 4 LED lights
Screen resolution	800 × 600 pixels
Pixel density	167 ppi
Waterproof	No
Storage capacity	4 GB (approximately 3 GB available to the user) – thousands of books or up to 20 Audible audiobooks
microSD card	No
Body colors	• Black • White
Battery life	A single charge lasts up to four weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 13
Charge time	Fully charges in approximately 4 hours from a 5W USB power adapter or computer via USB cable
Weight	6.1 oz / 174 g
Dimensions	6.3 × 4.5 × 0.34 in / 160 × 113 × 8.7 mm
Wi-Fi	Supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use 802.11b/g/n standards with support for WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Bluetooth	Yes – Bluetooth 4.2, 2402-2480 MHz (11.25 dBm), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from Kindle Paperwhite to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported
Speakers	No
Headphone jack	No
Audible-ready	Yes; capable of playing both Audible audiobooks and Audible companions for Kindle ebooks. Pair with Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones
Accessibility features	VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, provides spoken feedback allowing you to navigate your device and read books with text-to-speech (available in English only). Kindle also includes the ability to adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins
Supported formats	• Text: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX through conversion • Images: JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion • Audio: Audible audio format (AAX)
Original case covers	Yes; sold separately. Four fabric variants to choose from: Charcoal Black, Cobalt Blue, Punch Red, and Sandstone White
Warranty	1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year or 3-year Extended Warranty available for U.S customers sold separately
Included the box	• Amazon Kindle (11th generation, 2019 release) • USB 2.0 charging cable • Quick Start Guide
Launch dates	• Announcement: March 20, 2019 • Pre-orders: March 20, 2019 • Release: April 10, 2019
Prices	• 4 GB, Wi-Fi, with special offers – $89.99 • 4 GB, Wi-Fi, without special offers – $109.99

Entry-level 2019 Kindle in pictures

The white Kindle is back! Take a look at how the two color versions compare, and pick up the one that reflects your personality better.

The basic Kindle (2019) – product info

In the last part of this overview, let’s see what Amazon themselves says about the newest Kindle.

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