// WIRED US/UK — MOBILE & WEB
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2026) and Colorsoft (2026) Review: Best for Accessories
It's a good day to be a Kindle fan. Amazon announced the arrival of a new generation of devices earlier this month, and the new Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft are available today. A question now presents itself: Should you upgrade?
The most intriguing reason to upgrade isn't the devices themselves—the Paperwhite and Colorsoft both have base plastic versions with 16 GB of storage and aluminum-backed Signature Editions with 32 GB of storage and extra features—but the little extras could go a long way for certain readers. Namely, the ability to add page-turn buttons with the new Kindle Page Turn Cover ($80)—which is compatible only with the new Signature Editions of the Paperwhite and Colorsoft.
Color also plays a big role in the Signature Editions compared to the new base models. Not a color screen, to be clear—that's still Colorsoft only—but the color of the device itself, which Amazon has said was a huge driver for Kindle users to upgrade to a new model after the brand released colors like Matcha and Raspberry in 2024. The 2026 line has one color for each of these 7-inch e-readers that's only available with the Signature Editions.
It's worth noting that while the price of these new models is the same as the 2024 editions, it's because Kindle raised the prices of its 2024 versions back in August. At first, it seemed like this was intended to make Amazon sales look better than they actually were heading into Prime Day and Black Friday, but now it's clear it was probably a way to make these new models feel worth buying, since you won't find a cheaper model as easily. And it's a valid move: These models will be my new picks, because if you're spending the same amount, why wouldn't you want the latest model?
But that doesn't necessarily help you decide if it's worth upgrading. It might be worth it if you're desperate for page-turner buttons, which is easily my favorite part of this new line of Kindles. If you don't have a Kindle already and are on a mission to select your first one, this latest version of the Paperwhite remains a good choice unless you're determined to splurge on a color screen. The warm light is a big benefit for anyone who reads in the evening, and you'll have to choose one of these two models from Kindle's lineup to get it anyway.
The 2026 Kindle Paperwhite (left) and 2026 Kindle Colorsoft (right).
The Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft are, to some degree, the same device. You'll see a similar laundry list of features: a 7-inch screen, a front light with adjustable brightness and warmth, and 16 GB of storage in the base models. Both have the same new look of a flush-front screen and ever-so-slightly-smaller body when compared to the 2024 Paperwhite and 2025 Colorsoft (the first Colorsoft in 2024 was later renamed the Signature Edition, and a cheaper base model came out in 2025).
Kindle Paperwhite (2026, 13th Gen) and Kindle Colorsoft (2026, 2nd Gen)
Amazon touts these devices as being thinner and lighter than the previous models, but the difference is minimal. And most of the specs have stayed the same: You still get up to 12 weeks of battery life on the Paperwhite and eight on the Colorsoft, according to Amazon. The resolution is still 300 pixels per inch (ppi) for black-and-white content and 150 ppi for color, and both remain waterproof. The screens are obviously different, with the Colorsoft using a color display that has a slight blue tinge to it when compared side by side with the new Paperwhite models at the same brightness level, with the warm-light settings turned off.
Kindle Paperwhite (2026, 13th Gen) and Kindle Colorsoft (2026, 2nd Gen)