Kindle Colorsoft (2025): Amazon's eReader with Color in Practical Test

Rita Deutschbein Managing Editor

October 16, 2025, 11:07 am | Read time: 6 minutes

Amazon now offers two versions of the Kindle Colorsoft. The latest variant of the e-book reader with a color display hit the market this summer. But how does the model perform in tests, and what changes are there compared to the Signature Edition of 2024?

Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft (2025) brings color to the E-Ink display. With a size of 7 inches, IPX8 protection, and 16 GB of storage, as well as a suggested retail price of 259.99 euros, the eReader is more suited for discerning readers.

Design follows the predecessor

The Kindle Colorsoft (2025) features a compact 7-inch format that remains pleasantly light despite the color E-Ink and is hardly noticeable in everyday use. Weighing around 215 grams, the device fits securely in the hand. The IPX8 certification is also a plus, allowing reading by the pool or in the bathtub without worrying about splashes or brief submersions.

Apart from the matte surface and slightly deeper black, the two Colorsoft models are hardly distinguishable visually — Apart from the matte surface and slightly deeper black on the 2025 model on the right, the two Colorsoft models are hardly distinguishable visually

Visually, the Kindle Colorsoft from 2025 is almost identical to the Signature Edition from 2024. Only the matte and slightly darker black back allows the eReaders to be distinguished. The practical design includes the USB-C port and the included charging cable. However, the 2025 model does not support wireless charging.

The new model features a comparatively bright background, which improves contrast—especially in direct comparison to some color competitors. The integrated lighting can be finely adjusted manually in brightness and color temperature, but an ambient light sensor is missing.

Small adjustments to the display

Let’s stay with the display. At first glance, Amazon uses the same technology for the Kindle Colorsoft of 2024 and 2025. Both e-book readers feature a 7-inch E-Ink Kaleido 3 panel with 300 ppi for black and white and 150 ppi for color content.

According to official statements, the 2025 Kindle Colorsoft relies on an optimized version of Kaleido 3 with a higher color gamut and improved backlighting for richer colors and better readability in poor lighting conditions. Indeed, in direct comparison with the predecessor, the display appears slightly brighter and more vibrant—though the richer colors are more evident in the Signature Edition during testing.

Comparison of the displays. On the left, the Kindle Colorsoft from 2024, on the right, the version from 2025

For E-Ink, the Colorsoft achieves the state of the art in colors—yet these remain pastel and not as vibrant as on LCD or OLED tablets. For diagrams, highlights, simple graphics, and child-friendly books, this is sufficient. However, those expecting vivid colors should adjust their expectations of the technology.

In everyday use, it is noticeable that the color pages take a moment to “build” before they stabilize—a brief moment that hardly disrupts reading. The comparatively bright background positively impacts readability; compared to some competitors, this creates a more airy, paper-like appearance.

For comics, the 7-inch area is often too small: speech bubbles become tiny, and zooming interrupts the reading flow. For pure text, the panel plays to its strengths, offering a pleasantly calm, eye-friendly image.

Smooth operation via touchscreen

The user interface is based on the familiar Kindle ecosystem. Anyone who has used a Kindle before will find it easy to navigate. The purchase process through the Amazon account is straightforward, and the Kindle Unlimited subscription offer tempts with e-books, magazines, and audiobooks.

In practice, the software responds quickly. Menus open promptly, and settings such as font size or lighting are logically accessible. Overall, the use conveys the feeling of a mature platform that consistently focuses on reading rather than distractions.

Page turning is also fast. Page transitions occur quickly, annotations and notes work reliably, and only a brief image build-up is noticeable on color pages. Compared to some color alternatives, the Colorsoft feels noticeably more responsive, enhancing the reading flow—especially when frequently switching between chapters, content, or views.

Technical data summarized

Display: 7 inches, E-Ink Kaleido 3; 300 ppi (B/W), 150 ppi (color)
Storage: 16 GB
Lighting: manually adjustable brightness and color temperature, no adaptive light
Charging: USB-C; no wireless charging
Protection: IPX8 waterproof
Weight: approx. 215 g
Battery life: about a week or more with heavy use (in practice)
Standby: art motifs instead of ads
Supported formats (selection): AZW3, AZW, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; after conversion, DOCX/DOC, HTML, EPUB, RTF, JPEG/GIF/PNG/BMP; Audible (AAX)

Differences from the Signature Edition of 2024

The 2025 version of the Kindle Colorsoft is positioned both in price and features below the Signature Edition of 2024. It costs about 30 euros less (259.99 instead of 289.99 euros), halves the storage from 32 to 16 GB, and omits convenience features like wireless charging and adaptive front light. Instead, brightness and color temperature are manually controlled.

One point to mention: The Signature Edition of 2024 reportedly had quality issues with yellowish zones at the bottom of the display. Later updates to the product line addressed this issue. In the test of the 2025 model, these effects did not occur. So, for those wavering between the two generations, the new Colorsoft offers a slimmer feature set but a more refined device that avoids the early Signature series’ legacy issues.

Signature Edition Amazon Kindle Colorsoft: Pros and Cons of the Color eReader

Amazon Expands Colorsoft Line with Two New Models–Now Available for Kids

Colorsoft Amazon Launches Two New Color eReaders

Pros and cons of Kindle Colorsoft (2025)

Pros

Color E-Ink for magazines, textbooks, and color highlights
Very good operation, fast page turning
IPX8 protection; light and handy (approx. 215 g)
Brightness/color temperature finely adjustable manually
No ads in standby, instead displaying art motifs

Cons

Colors remain pastel/faded; only conditionally ideal for comics
Small 7-inch panel often makes comic text very small (zooming needed)
No wireless charging; no adaptive front light
16 GB storage is limited compared to some competitors with 32 GB
Price level significantly above classic B/W Kindles; high premium over Paperwhite
Color pages build up with minimal delay (panel characteristic)

Read also: E-book readers Amazon Kindle and Tolino compared

Conclusion: Kindle Colorsoft (2025) in the test

The Kindle Colorsoft (2025) impresses when color content is desired but not mission-critical. Operation and performance are strong, water resistance increases everyday usability, and the bright background supports readability. The color display is good for E-Ink but remains pastel. For graphics, textbooks, and child-friendly titles, this is sufficient; for intensive comic reading, a tablet or larger display is recommended. Overall, the reader delivers solid color without gimmicks.

At the same time, the Colorsoft is a niche product. Compared to a classic black-and-white Kindle, you primarily pay for color, which not every use justifies. Those who mainly read novels will usually find a B/W model cheaper; those who really want to enjoy colors will opt for a tablet. For everyone in between, the Colorsoft (2025) is a reliable, straightforward choice with a deliberately reduced feature set.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.