This e-reader stands as the best in the market, and its price is only slightly higher than the standard Kindle Paperwhite.
Unveiling the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition: A $50 Upgrade for Enhanced Features
Despite its elaborate name, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is a straightforward device. It mirrors the new fifth-generation Kindle Paperwhite but comes with a $50 price hike, featuring four upgrades: increased memory to 32GB (from 8GB), wireless charging, an automatically adjusting front light, and an ad-free experience.
Having established the excellence of the standard Paperwhite as an e-reader, this review straightforwardly aims to determine if the additional expense for these four improvements is justified.
An Exceptional e-Reader
My colleague Alex Perry covered the standard fifth-gen Paperwhite in a review, but I’d like to share my initial thoughts (coming from someone who primarily used a second-gen Paperwhite before).
The new Paperwhite has an ideal size and fits perfectly in my hand. Its beach readiness, with an IPX8 rating, is significant to me, especially when comparing it to my iPad mini, which isn’t officially water-resistant at all.
I only have one issue with the device’s design: Amazon moved the power button from the top to the bottom, which took some adjusting. (It’s worth noting that this change occurred in a previous iteration of the Paperwhite.)
The new Paperwhite is significantly faster than my old model, though there’s room for even more speed, especially when navigating through menus. The battery life is exceptional, and the shift to a USB-C port from the old microUSB connector is a welcome change.
What Does the Additional $50 Get You?
This Kindle doesn’t come with ads. While ads on the Kindle are less intrusive than those on some other devices, I still prefer an ad-free experience for something I’ve purchased. You can eliminate ads from the base model Kindle for an additional $20. However, this brings the price difference between the two to just $30, making it essential to consider the additional features that come with the Signature Edition.
When it comes to memory, the rule is simple: more is always better. However, unless you’re an avid reader or regularly send numerous periodicals to your Kindle, 8GB should suffice. The Kindle Paperwhite SE boasts 32GB, which might be overkill, but it’s reassuring to know you’ll never have to worry about storage.
Wireless Charging Worthiness: Assessing Convenience in Different Scenarios
The value of wireless charging depends on your usual use in different situations. Since all Kindles boast excellent battery life, the need for frequent charging is minimal. I have wireless chargers in my car and placed throughout the house, making the ability to simply toss the Kindle onto them for charging a convenient, albeit modest, enhancement.
Here’s a fun fact: I attempted to charge the Kindle Paperwhite SE using Apple’s MagSafe magnetic charger for the iPhone, and not only did it work, but the charger clings (albeit just barely) to the Kindle, similar to how it does with the iPhone. Pretty neat.
