Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Review
Verdict
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is a wonderful device with a great screen, excellent features and long battery life. For most people, though, the cheaper model will be a better purchase.
Pros
- Dandy screen
- Wireless charging is a handy extra
- Switch to USB-C
Cons
- The cheaper model is the better buy for most people
Availability
- UK RRP: £179.99
- USA RRP: $189.99
Key Features
- Charging The Signature Edition supports Qi wireless charging
- First-class screen Sharp 6.eight-inch display with automatic brightness control
- Storage 32GB onboard storage for books and audiobooks
Introduction
Having left the lineup stagnant for a number of years, Amazon has now released two new models of the Kindle Paperwhite. If you're a die-hard e-reader fan, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition certainly has some tricks that may pique your interest.
For the well-nigh part, however, this is the same every bit the Kindle Paperwhite (2021). When I reviewed that model I said it was the all-time e-reader around, and while I'd recommend most plump for the bones model over this Signature version simply for its more wallet-friendly price, a lot of what I praised in that review withal stands here.
This Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't a huge departure from the cheaper model, with the new additions likely simply highly-seasoned to a specific type of person. For the actress cash yous get more storage, some extra charging tricks and minor screen improvements.
Design and Screen
- Bigger brandish than the previous Paperwhite
- Very precipitous and excellent for reading in all mode of situations
- Durable build with strong water-resistance
When I first heard rumblings of Amazon doing a 'Signature' version of a Paperwhite reader, I hoped that branding would chronicle to the utilise of higher-end materials in its construction. I'one thousand happy that Amazon places durability ahead of annihilation else, simply a more premium-feeling Paperwhite would accept been welcome.
Visually, the Paperwhite Signature Edition looks exactly the same as the regular model. It has a bigger 6.8-inch display than the previous Paperwhite models – which might put some off, but honestly, I feel this size is platonic.
The Signature is large enough to make text on the display a little less cramped, while however feeling small plenty to hold for extended periods in one hand. The dimensions and weight as well brand it ideal for slinging into a pocketbook.
There might be a distinct lack of flashy metals and high-finish finishes on display, but the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is nevertheless a good-looking device. The subtle, elementary nature of the design lets you focus on the task for which the unit is for – reading, above all else – and, for me, it works.
The Signature Edition is predominantly made of tough plastic, but information technology doesn't feel cheap; it's an issue I take with Amazon's Burn tablets, so that's a skillful sign. The rear sports a matte end that adds some grip, while the front is a little glossier.
An IPX8 rating has been a fixture of the higher-end Kindle models for a while now, and so it remains here. I my opinion, this is vital, since it means the device can easily survive an accidental drop in a puddle or bathtub. Note that the 'X' means it lacks any grit-resistance, so go along that in mind.

For the nigh part, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is an attractive eastward-reader. It'southward simple, clean and functional. Even so, no device is perfect.
The lack of any concrete page-turning buttons on the Paperwhite serial has always been a bugbear, and information technology's the same story here. That tactile response y'all get from an bodily clicky button is and then much nicer than what you become from tapping on the edge of the touchscreen. The just Kindle device to enjoy physical forward and back buttons is the Kindle Haven, and that's a device that's difficult to recommend considering its price and current feature prepare.
I'm also not a fan of the position of the but button here. The standby/off/lock button sits right side by side to the USB-C port – and, on multiple occasions, I have accidentally knocked it and turned the Kindle off.
That sour indicate aside, the Kindle has become such an important device for me mainly as a result of its display. The East Ink panel is much improve than OLED or LCD for reading since there's no glare, and so you lot tin read in sunnier conditions without having to dodge the rays. It'southward easier on the eyes, likewise.
The 6.8-inch brandish sits flush to the body and is incredibly sharp. It does remain monochrome, and so might not be as good as a tablet for content such equally comics and cookery books.

While both versions of the Paperwhite feature a warm light – which turns the screen a softer, orange colour that's ideal for bedtime reading – and a greater number of LEDs surrounding the screen for more fifty-fifty light, the Signature Edition goes one step further past including a low-cal that automatically adjusts depending on your surroundings. Information technology works, but I wouldn't say it'south a reason to part with more cash.
The automatic effulgence feels a niggling erratic, moving up and down far more visibly than I wanted it to. In fact, it can be quite jarring when you're reading to meet the effulgence go up or downward. I really just prefer to manage the brightness manually.
Performance
- 32GB of storage is platonic for those with a vast Audible library
- Snappy page turns
- Surprising lack of a model with cellular connectivity
Arguably the biggest reason to plump for the Signature Edition of Kindle is the hefty inclusion of onboard storage. Instead of the 8GB that accompanies the base version, there'due south 32GB at play hither.
This won't make its presence felt if y'all purely utilize your Kindle for ebooks, since these tend to exist mere megabytes. Notwithstanding, if y'all'd like a number of offline Aural audiobooks always accessible and then that more generous corporeality of internal infinite will exist vital. Larger audiobooks can often hitting 800-900MB for size, so the regular 8GB model will starting time to run out of infinite before y'all hitting double figures.
Along with this new batch of Kindles, Amazon has updated and refreshed the tired UI. This comprises the homescreen, Amazon book store and library, with these changes freshening things upwards.

The interface feels far more modern, with thinner lines and rounded corners. In that location's certainly a whiff of iOS and Android virtually the updated software, with handy settings such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth now far more than hands accessible. Overall, it's a change for the better.
As with all of Amazon'south products, from its Fire Boob tube sticks to its Fire tablets, they piece of work best when yous're deep into the Amazon ecosystem. If yous get your books from the Kindle Store and Audiobooks from Audible, they'll all appear when yous boot up the Paperwhite for the get-go time. If y'all'd rather get them from other sources so you might be amend off looking at a Kobo.
Another smaller benefit of this Signature Edition is that, by default, it comes without whatever pesky lock-screen ads. On the cheaper model, this pick costs an actress £10.
If you're coming from the previous Paperwhite then you'll observe the speed improvements that this updated model deliver. Page turns are snappier, and while navigating the UI is much slower than on one of the best Android phones, information technology's perfectly fine.
Interestingly, there'due south no cellular choice for the Paperwhite Signature Edition. With previous Paperwhite models you had the option to pay a fiddling extra upfront to become constant free 4G information included, allowing you to download books when you didn't have Wi-Fi. This option is now reserved for the Kindle Oasis.
Battery Life
- Signature Edition numberless you wireless charging
- Endurance is still measured in weeks, rather than days
- Finally, in that location's a USB-C port
It has taken a long time, but Amazon has finally done the right thing and ditched the Paperwhite's tired micro-USB port for a far more capable USB-C.
This is the same reversible port you'll find on the Nintendo Switch, almost Android phones and laptops. Even the iPad Pro and iPad Mini use it. Not only does it accuse the Kindle faster, only it allows you to use a laptop charger to power upward your Kindle too.
The Signature Edition's extra charging play a joke on is Qi – a wireless charging standard used past all the major phones that back up the feature. Y'all can pop the Kindle down on a Qi-enabled pad and summit up the reader without a cable. If you lot don't have a pad, Amazon will happily sell y'all a specially designed 1 for the Kindle.
I've tried a few wireless chargers and the results have been mixed, and then I'd recommend the Amazon one if you want the best feel. Due to the large size of the Kindle in comparing to a phone, most vertical Qi stands don't work every bit a upshot of the roll in the device beingness too loftier up. I had more luck with flat ones and the best results with the MagSafe charger made for the iPhone.

Amazon claims the Paperwhite Signature Edition'south battery will terminal for around 10 weeks. That'south with thirty minutes of reading a twenty-four hours, with the wireless features disabled. The eastward-reader should also be ready to a mid-level brightness.
As I did with the other Kindle Paperwhite model, I charged it to 100% every bit soon every bit I'd unboxed it. A week later the battery percentage had dropped to 74% – basically the same result I achieved with the basic Kindle Paperwhite 2021. That's with Wi-Fi on all the fourth dimension and about an hr or so of reading at day at varying levels of brightness.
Due to the way E inks work, use the device more than throughout the day and the battery will deplete faster. Turn through a whole book in a calendar week and yous might be plugging in a lot sooner.
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Should you buy it?
You download a lot of audiobooks The big difference betwixt this and the regular version of the latest Paperwhite model is the 32GB of onboard storage. This makes it ideal for those who desire to store a load of audiobooks offline.
Qi charging and lots of storage aren't of involvement There are just a couple of additions to this Signature Edition and if those features don't appeal then you'd be better off saving some greenbacks and opting for the base of operations model instead.
Terminal Thoughts
For the extra greenbacks, the Signature Edition is only for those who desire the extra storage and will brand use of wireless charging. If neither of those features involvement then you might every bit well plump for the cheaper base model.
This remains an first-class device, though, and the latest range of Paperwhites are easily the best e-readers around.
How we test
We test every east-reader we review thoroughly. We use the device over the review menses. We'll e'er tell you lot what nosotros observe and we never, ever, accept coin to review a product.
Used as our main device during test menstruum
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FAQs
Is there a charger included?
You lot only get a cable in the box, no charging plug.
Is there a 4G option?
The only Kindle with cellular is the Oasis.
How much storage does this model take?
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition offers 32GB of storage.
Total specs
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Uk RRP
Us RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Wirless charging
Fast Charging
Size (Dimensions)
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ASIN
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First Reviewed Date
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Jargon buster
IP rating
An abbreviation for 'Ingress Protection Code', which lets yous know to what extent a device might be waterproof or dustproof.
Qi Wireless Charging
The most common format for wireless charging and the one supported by the majority of devices. Charge speeds vary a lot by the phone.
Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-signature-edition
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