Amazon has taken a significant step in the evolution of its most ambitious e-reader with the launch of the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft , the first Kindle Scribe to feature a color screen. This device, available in Spain since June 10th, combines the classic reading experience with the ability to take handwritten notes on a large e-ink display, but adds a highly anticipated feature: the ability to write, highlight, draw, and view content in color. Starting at €649,99 for the 32GB version and €699,99 for the 64GB version, this isn't a Kindle for every budget, but rather a device designed for those seeking more than just reading books.
After several weeks of testing, both in specialized media and user reviews, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft emerges as a digital notebook that also reads books, not the other way around. Its 11-inch screen with Colorsoft technology offers a resolution of 300 dpi in black and white and 150 dpi in color, with soft, pastel tones reminiscent of printed paper. The design has been refined to a thickness of 5,4 millimeters and a weight of 400 grams, making it surprisingly light for its size. Below, we analyze all the key aspects of this device.
Design and screen: more tablet than e-reader
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft's design has evolved from the previous generation. The bezels are now uniform on all four sides, giving it a modern tablet look, and the wide side grip is gone. The 11-inch screen, with its glare-free textured finish, offers a very pleasant viewing experience, quite different from that of mobile phones. The colors appear soft, like chalk or pastel, but a more vibrant color mode can be selected in the settings. The front light, now with twice as many LEDs, evenly illuminates the entire surface, allowing for reading even in the dark. However, due to the color filter, the background appears slightly grayer than on a monochrome Kindle, a common drawback of color e-ink that can be compensated for by increasing the brightness to 40% or more, as recommended by industry sources such as Good e-Reader.
Writing and pen: cordless convenience
Writing on the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is one of its strongest points. The included Premium Pen doesn't require a battery, attaches magnetically to the side, and offers a very natural friction on the textured glass, with such low latency that the ink seems to flow from the tip. It incorporates an eraser at the top and a programmable side button for switching tools without touching the screen. The writing tools include ten pen colors, five highlighters, and a shading utility, allowing you to organize ideas visually. Furthermore, the Active Canvas feature lets you write directly on books, adapting the text around the note. While it's not a device for advanced artistic drawing (it lacks layers and fine brush adjustments), it's more than adequate for note-taking, sketching, and decorating notebooks.
Productivity and artificial intelligence
Amazon intended the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft to be more than just a stylus reader; it aimed to be a productivity tool. The device incorporates AI features to search for information within notebooks even if you can't recall the exact words, generate summaries of long notes, and convert handwriting into clean text. You can also style your handwriting for improved legibility. Integration with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and OneNote allows you to import, annotate, and export documents wirelessly. The AI ​​search scans the content of your notes and returns results without you needing to remember the exact term. However, according to Engadget's analysis, this feature can be inconsistent, sometimes finding exactly what you're looking for and other times misinterpreting your handwriting. In any case, the productivity layer significantly improves the device's usability compared to the original Scribe.
Battery life: weeks without a charger
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft's battery life remains one of its biggest selling points. Amazon claims up to eight weeks of reading time and around two weeks of daily writing, figures that depend on the use of the front light and the stylus. In tests conducted by various media outlets, the device lasted two weeks of intensive use without needing to be charged. Charging is done via USB-C (cable included, but no wall charger), and there is no wireless charging option. This is undoubtedly one of its clearest advantages over any conventional tablet: the e-ink display only consumes battery power when refreshing the screen, so the device lasts and lasts.
Price and alternatives
The price of the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft places it firmly in the realm of a well-considered investment. The 32GB version costs €649,99, and the 64GB version, €699,99. To put this in context, the monochrome Kindle Scribe of the same generation costs around €130 less, and the model without a front light starts at €449,99. Compared to its direct competitor, the reMarkable Paper Pro, the Kindle wins in terms of ecosystem and price, but loses out on software freedom. Those looking only to read have much cheaper options, such as the Kindle Paperwhite or the 7-inch Kindle Colorsoft. The Scribe Colorsoft is only worthwhile if you plan to take advantage of the larger screen, the stylus, and the productivity features. All three models come with three months of Kindle Unlimited included.
In short, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is Amazon's most ambitious Kindle yet, a device that doesn't feel like a traditional Kindle, but rather like a smart notebook that also reads books. Its color screen, albeit in pastel tones, is perfect for highlighting, outlining, comics, and documents. Writing is excellent, the battery lasts for weeks, and its integration with cloud services makes it a true productivity tool. It's not for everyone: if you only want to read novels, any entry-level Kindle will suffice. But if you're looking for a device to take notes, review PDFs, work with documents, and enjoy color without distractions, this is the best balance Amazon offers today. Like any indulgence, it's only worthwhile if you actually use what makes it special.
