Amazon’s New Kindle (2019) VS. Kindle (2016)

Michael Grothaus 10/04/2019 – 2:30pm

How does the new Kindle compare?

Amazon has launched an all-new Kindle e-reader. However, this Kindle isn’t one of the company’s more fancy ones like the Paperwhite or Oasis. Instead, this new Kindle is meant to compete against the last entry-level Kindle, which has been around since 2016.

What’s interesting about this new Kindle, the 2019 model, is that Amazon has chosen to keep the 2016 Kindle around and just drop the price on that. But besides price, how do the two entry-level Kindle’s compare? Let’s find out.

Kindle (2019) VS. Kindle (2016): Specs

Kindle (2019)

• Screen: 6-inch glare-free, 167ppi, built-in front light
• Weight: 174 grams
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 113 mm x 8.7 mm
• Page Turns: Touchscreen
• Battery Life: 4 weeks based on 30 minutes reading a day
• Storage: 4GB total (3GB usable) – enough for 1000’s of books
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Kindle (2016)

• Screen: 6-inch glare-free, 167ppi
• Weight: 161 grams
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 115 mm x 9.1 mm
• Page Turns: Touchscreen
• Battery Life: 6 weeks based on 30 minutes reading a day
• Storage: 4GB total (3GB usable) – enough for 1000’s of books
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Kindle (2019) VS. Kindle (2016): Design

For all intents and purposes, the design of the 2019 Kindle is almost the same as the 2016 Kindle. Both come in white or black models and both sport the same physical look. However, there are a few design differences.

First, the 2019 Kindle is a bit smaller and thinner than the older model. The 2019 Kindle measures 160 mm x 113 mm x 8.7 mm while the 2016 Kindle comes in a bit bigger at 160 mm x 115 mm x 9.1 mm.

Another difference is the weight. The 2019 Kindle is actually a little heavier than the 2016 Kindle, despite it being a thinner device. We are mainly attributing that to the 4 LED lights now found in its display (more on that in a bit). But overall, you won’t tell much of a difference between the two devices based on looks alone.

Kindle (2019) VS. Kindle (2016): Display

Of course, perhaps the most important thing about an e-reader is the display. The new entry-level 2019 Kindle and the 2016 Kindle do have similar displays—but not totally identical. When it comes to similarities, both feature a 6in display with Amazon’s E Ink Pearl technology at 167 ppm and with 16-level grayscale.

The difference comes from the new 2019 Kindle having a built-in adjustable front light, which makes reading the Kindle easier both indoors and outdoors. The front light takes the form of 4 LED lights. The 2016 Kindle has no lights.

Kindle (2019) VS. Kindle (2016): Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Storage on both Kindles is the same at 4GB—enough for thousands of books even after 1GB of that storage is already taken up by the OS. And both Kindles comes in two flavors: one with “special offers” and one without. “Special offers” is Amazon’s code for “ads”. So if you opt for the cheaper “special offers” version you’ll see ads pop up on your home screen.

Both Kindles also offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Where they differ is in their battery life. The 2016 Kindle actually has a longer battery life, with Amazon saying it lasts 6 weeks based on 30 minutes reading a day. The 2019 Kindle only last 4 weeks based on 30 minutes reading a day. So why the difference? Blame the new backlight, which sucks up juice.

Kindle (2019) VS. Kindle (2016): Price and Verdict

The new 2019 Kindle is perfect for people who liked the old Kindle, but wish it had a built-in adjustable front light like more advanced Kindle models do. If you’re one of these people, the 2019 Kindle is worth grabbing.

The 2019 Kindle comes in two editions: one “With Special Offers” (ie: ads) for £69.99 and one “Without Special Offers” (ie: ad-free) for £99.99. Amazon still sells the 2016 Kindle, which also comes in two editions: one “With Special Offers” (ie: ads) for £49.99 and one “Without Special Offers” (ie: ad-free) for £59.99.