The e-reader market has been dominated by Amazon since it launched the first Kindle 17 years ago. With each generation, the company has improved both the specifications of its devices and the overall user experience, to the point where Kindles have become an undisputed benchmark. However, one feature in particular that many users have long been asking for was the ability to read in color.
While the Kindle Colorsoft is Amazon's first device to feature a color display, it's not the first time we've seen this technology on the market. Competitors like Kobo already have e-readers with color e-ink displays. However, Amazon has waited until it has perfected its implementation of this technology, and its goal is to offer a color reading experience without compromising the quality of its already legendary black-and-white e-ink display.
Key Features of the Kindle Colorsoft
The Kindle Colorsoft features a 7-inch display, slightly larger than previous models in the Paperwhite range, with a resolution of 300 ppi for black and white text and 150 ppi when viewing colour content. While this reduction in resolution is noticeable, especially when reading comics or books with illustrations, it is still adequate for a good reading experience.
One of the most notable aspects of the device is its ability to display colors fairly faithfully, although not as vibrantly as on an LCD or OLED screen. Amazon has implemented E Ink Kaleido 3 technology in this model, with a series of custom settings to improve the color experience and optimize both contrast and page loading speed. This is especially useful when reading comics and graphic novels, although it is true that the rendering process can present somewhat slow loading times in some circumstances, such as when zooming in on a color image.
Design-wise, the Kindle Colorsoft is quite similar to the Kindle Paperwhite. The device features a comfortable matte black plastic chassis and feels light and easy to hold in one hand. However, some users have voiced complaints about the power button being placed on the bottom, which can lead to accidentally turning off when the device is laid down. Despite this detail, the Kindle Colorsoft remains water-resistant with an IPX8 rating, meaning you can use it at the beach or pool without any issues.
Performance comparison: Kindle Colorsoft vs Kobo Libra Colour
The Kindle Colorsoft is primarily competed with in the market by the Kobo Libra Colour, another device with a 7-inch colour screen and a resolution of 300 ppi for black and white and 150 ppi for colour. In terms of performance, both devices offer a fairly comparable reading experience, but there are some minor differences that may make one device more suitable than the other, depending on the user's needs.
The Kobo Libra Colour, unlike the Kindle Colorsoft, features physical buttons for turning pages, a feature that many users prefer as it allows for more comfortable navigation without having to touch the screen. Additionally, the Kobo device offers support for a stylus, allowing for more versatile note-taking and interaction. However, the colour on the Kindle Colorsoft’s screen is slightly brighter and more saturated, making it more suitable for reading comics and picture books, though it still doesn’t match up to devices with LCD screens or tablets.
The Kindle Colorsoft for reading comics
If there's one thing that might make a user decide to buy the Kindle Colorsoft, it's its ability to read comics and graphic novels. The device takes full advantage of its color screen, displaying comic book covers and art in detail that wasn't possible on previous black-and-white Kindles. Additionally, Amazon has implemented a very useful comic book reading feature called Panel View. This option allows you to zoom in on each panel progressively, one panel at a time, making reading easier even on relatively small screens like the Kindle Colorsoft's.
That said, while reading comics on the Kindle Colorsoft is an interesting experience, there are still limitations. More demanding fans might prefer to read their comics on a tablet like an iPad, where colors are much more vibrant and response times are much faster. E-ink technology, while much improved, is still not capable of delivering the same fluidity as an LCD screen.
Battery life and charging
One aspect that has always been one of the Kindles' greatest strengths is battery life, and the Kindle Colorsoft is no exception. Amazon claims that the device can last up to eight weeks on a single charge, based on moderate use of half an hour a day with the brightness set to half. While this figure can vary depending on how much you use the device and whether you keep it connected to Wi-Fi, regular users will be able to enjoy long periods of reading without worrying about constantly charging the device.
Additionally, the Kindle Colorsoft offers wireless charging, a feature that further enhances the user experience. If you have a compatible wireless charging pad, simply place the device on it and it will always be charged and ready to use. A full charge on a USB-C charger takes around two and a half hours, which is pretty fast considering the battery life.
User Interface and Reading Experience
The Kindle Colorsoft's operating system is familiar to anyone who has used a Kindle before. The home screen is still divided into two main sections: 'Home,' which displays book recommendations from Amazon and selections from the user's library, and 'Library,' from which all books, documents, and audiobooks stored on the device can be accessed.
One feature that stands out on the Kindle Colorsoft is the ability to highlight text in multiple colors (orange, blue, yellow, and pink). This is particularly useful if you tend to underline important passages and want to organize your thoughts by color. While this functionality already existed in some mobile apps, it's new to be able to enjoy it on an e-ink device.
The Kindle Colorsoft's responsiveness has improved significantly compared to previous versions. Page-turning response times have been reduced thanks to the new integrated display technology, providing a smoother reading experience overall. Although scrolling and zooming images can sometimes experience a slight delay, especially on graphics-intensive files, most users will find the performance more than satisfactory.
The price of the Kindle Colorsoft
One of the areas of debate surrounding the Kindle Colorsoft is its price. At $279.99, it sits close to the range of tablets like the iPad Mini, which offer a larger screen, a more advanced color experience, and a much richer app ecosystem for just $100 more. This makes the Kindle Colorsoft a less logical choice for many if they're just looking for a device to read color comics.
However, for e-book fans who are already immersed in the Amazon ecosystem, the Kindle Colorsoft remains an attractive option. Not only because of its color capability, but also because of features like wireless charging, an automatically adjustable light sensor, and water resistance. In this sense, the Kindle Colorsoft can be considered something of a luxury device within the Kindle range.
If you prefer classic black and white and don't need the extras of the Colorsoft, the Kindle Paperwhite is still an excellent alternative at a considerably lower price. That said, those interested in enjoying their favorite graphic novels or illustrated books on a specialized device without interruptions might find the Kindle Colorsoft to be the investment they've been waiting for.