Kindle Colorsoft
2024
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
7″ · 300 ppi · 12-week battery
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Kindle Colorsoft lands at 86 and Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) at 92. That puts Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Kindle Colorsoft if…
- ✓Weeks of battery life
- ✓Glare-free E Ink
- ✓Lightweight
Pick Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) if…
- ✓Snappiest Kindle yet
- ✓Larger 7″ display
- ✓IPX8 water resistance
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testBattery
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)Compared on the battery sub-score
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) leads on battery (96 vs 94).
Display
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)Compared on the display sub-score
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) leads on display (94 vs 86).
Speed
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)Compared on the speed sub-score
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) leads on speed (92 vs 82).
Value for money
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) more score per dollar ($159 vs $279).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Kindle Colorsoft | Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2024 | — |
| Display | — | 7″ E Ink, 300 ppi |
| Storage | — | 16 GB |
| Battery | — | 12 weeks |
| Water | — | IPX8 |
Kindle Colorsoft
- +Weeks of battery life
- +Glare-free E Ink
- +Lightweight
- −Slow refresh vs LCD
- −Ecosystem lock-in
- −Color E Ink muted
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
- +Snappiest Kindle yet
- +Larger 7″ display
- +IPX8 water resistance
- −Still Amazon walled garden
- −No buttons
- −Lockscreen ads unless paid off
FAQ: Kindle Colorsoft vs Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)
Which is better, Kindle Colorsoft or Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)? +
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Kindle Colorsoft worth the price? +
At $279, Kindle Colorsoft delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in battery.
Is Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) worth the price? +
At $159, Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.
Does Kindle Colorsoft or Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for battery, Kindle Colorsoft or Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)? +
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) — leads on battery (96 vs 94). Compared on the battery sub-score.
Which is better for display, Kindle Colorsoft or Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen)? +
Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen) — leads on display (94 vs 86). Compared on the display sub-score.