Amazon's new basic Kindle proves you don't need all the extras

[Alice63]

Amazon's cheapest Kindle has had a refresh, and TechCrunch thinks it covers everything most readers need. The new model costs $169.99 for the 16GB plastic version without adverts, or $189.99 for a 32GB aluminium version

It weighs 140g and is 6.85mm thick, making it 11 percent lighter and 14 percent thinner than the 2024 model. The six inch screen has 300 pixels per inch, much sharper than the 167 of the 2019 version

It has no warm light, no automatic brightness and is not waterproof. Battery life is about six weeks, compared with twelve for the Paperwhite, and Amazon says books open 30 percent faster

Prices have risen by $40 to $50 across the Kindle range because of memory chip shortages. That makes this a more expensive Kindle than its predecessor

A light, sharp e-reader that lasts six weeks is all many people want from a Kindle, so this model makes a lot of sense. Missing waterproofing will matter to bath readers, though. The price rises are a reminder that the memory shortage is affecting even simple gadgets

Do you read on a basic Kindle or a fancier model? And is waterproofing essential for you?

Amazon's new basic Kindle proves you don't need all the bells and whistles | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com