November 29, 2024, 8:30 am | Read time: 7 minutes

Amazon has taken a significant step with the Kindle Colorsoft by integrating a color display into an e-book reader for the first time. Along with improved front lighting and color temperature adjustment, the device promises an unparalleled reading experience, even with colored book covers, comics, and illustrations. But how does the reader perform in practice, and is it worth its higher price tag of about 290 euros?

Key Information at a Glance

• Display: 7-inch color eInk (300 ppi black-and-white, 150 ppi color), glare-free.
• Functionality: Automatic brightness and color temperature adjustment, colored highlights, wireless charging.
• Battery Life: Up to 8 weeks with moderate use.
• Storage: 32 GB, enough for thousands of books and comics.
• Special Feature: Waterproof (IPX8) and compatible with Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited.

There is now a new version of the Colorsoft. Find the review here.

What Can the Kindle Colorsoft Do?

The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is Amazon’s first e-reader to offer a color display. The 7-inch display uses eInk Kaleido 3 technology to render colors gently and authentically, ideal for comics, magazines, and illustrated books. With a resolution of 300 ppi in black-and-white and 150 ppi in color, text sharpness remains high even with colored content. Despite the color, the display is glare-free, making it comfortable to read even in direct sunlight.

Particularly noteworthy is the automatic brightness and color temperature adjustment, which adapts to reading conditions–whether in daylight or complete darkness. The front lighting is individually adjustable, ranging from cool white to warm amber. Overall, the display appears slightly brighter than the Paperwhite at the same setting.

With 32 GB of storage, the Kindle offers space for thousands of books and larger files like colored magazines or graphic novels. Page turning and menu navigation work smoothly and quickly, with operation entirely via the touchscreen. Even zooming into images is possible.

Additional features like colored text highlights and wireless charging as an alternative to the USB-C port enhance convenience. The battery life of up to eight weeks with moderate use ensures long reading pleasure, typical of energy-saving eInk displays. The Colorsoft weighs 219 grams, making it easy to hold for extended periods. Thanks to IPX8 certification, it is waterproof and well-suited for use by the pool or in the bathtub. However, users should note that this only applies to freshwater.

Read also: Amazon discontinues popular Kindle product without replacement

Technical Specifications

Who Is the Kindle Colorsoft For?

The Kindle Colorsoft is aimed at readers who want to enjoy not only classic e-books but also comics, magazines, or illustrated works. The color highlighting function is excellent for notes and study purposes.

However, the eReader competes with models from other manufacturers like the Tolino Vision Color and the PocketBook InkPad Color. While Amazon’s color display is more convincing, competitors often offer cheaper alternatives with similar features.

For those who can do without the color display on the Colorsoft, the new Kindle or the Paperwhite will suffice. The latter offers many technical parallels to the Colorsoft but costs about a third less at around 200 euros. Due to the absence of the color display, this model even offers a runtime of about 12 weeks.

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

Colorsoft with Initial Challenges

Customer reviews for the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition are mixed. Many users praise the color features, clear text display, and the ability to enjoy comics and illustrated content in color. However, the pale color display compared to tablets and the darker display in color mode are criticized. The weak contrast ratio between text and background with the front light off is also sometimes noted negatively.

This may be due to a problem at the start of the Colorsoft, which is noticeable not only in contrast but also in yellowish discolorations at the bottom edge of the display. This error occurs regardless of the displayed content and becomes more visible with high backlighting. Amazon has responded to this feedback, explaining that it is a rare issue that the company initially intended to fix via an update. Now, affected users are offered a free exchange or refund. According to Amazon, future devices will have appropriate adjustments to fix the error.

However, the defect affects availability: Currently, new devices are only available in limited quantities. According to Amazon, the Kindle Colorsoft will not be regularly shipped until February 2025 at the earliest.

More on the topic

eReader in New Version Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (2025) Review – With Color, but No Frills

Colorsoft Amazon Launches Two New Color eReaders

Pros and Cons of the Color eReader

Pros:

• First Kindle with a color display–ideal for comics and graphics.
• Automatic brightness and color temperature adjustment.
• Waterproof (IPX8) and robust.
• Wireless charging and long battery life.
• Generous storage space of 32 GB.

Cons:

• Color display is pale compared to tablets.
• Display background in color mode is darker than black-and-white models.
• More expensive than many competing models.
• Limited support for content outside the Kindle ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kindle Colorsoft

1. Does the Kindle Colorsoft support audiobooks?
   Yes, via Bluetooth for Audible content.
2. Can I display PDFs in color?
   Yes, with limitations. Colors are displayed correctly when sent via “Send-to-Kindle.”
3. How does the Kindle Colorsoft differ from the Paperwhite?
   The Colorsoft offers a color display but has a shorter battery life and a darker display without lighting.
4. Is the Kindle Colorsoft suitable for reading in the sun?
   Yes, the glare-free display is readable even in daylight.
5. What formats are supported?
   azw, mobi, ePub (after conversion), and many others.