According to GoodEReader, a new generation of Kindle devices appears to have leaked via a since-removed comparison table on Amazon Canada. A CA$149.99 (about $117) Kindle Paperwhite and a CA$209.99 (approximately $164) Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition are depicted in the chart. Both have a bigger 6.8-inch E ink display than the existing 6-inch Paperwhite, but only the more costly model includes the new wireless charging, as well as greater storage and lighting that change based on ambient light.
The standard Kindle Paperwhite looks to have 8GB of storage, while the Signature Edition has 32GB, which is the same as the existing Paperwhite’s two storage options. The 300ppi resolution remains the same. The number of LEDs in the device’s front-light has risen from five to seventeen, and their color temperature should be changeable, as it is on the present Kindle Oasis. Both devices’ displays will be flush with the bezel, and they’ll be waterproof to the same IPX8 standard as the existing Paperwhite. There is Wi-Fi connection, but no mention of cellular versions.
While the new Kindle Paperwhites inherit certain capabilities from the Oasis, Amazon’s premium e-reader will retain several distinctive features. According to the comparison table, these include its ergonomic design, auto-rotating page orientation, and physical page-turn buttons.
Unfortunately, there’s no indication of which USB connection type the new Kindles will utilize, so it’s unclear whether Amazon will finally convert them to USB-C after an uncomfortably long time with Micro USB. The obsolete USB connection is still used by Amazon’s premium Kindle Oasis.
The announcement of the two devices comes on the heels of last week’s introduction of a new Kindle interface, which was issued as an update for virtually every Kindle made since 2015. The new design includes a navigation bar that makes switching between the device’s Home screen, library, and in-progress book much easier. When the new Kindles are released, this new interface will most likely come preinstalled.
It’s unclear when Amazon will make the new e-readers official. It usually has an autumn hardware show around the end of September, so we could be close.
