The Amazon Kindle is synonymous with reading, and reading often means black text on a white page. While this works perfectly for most novels, the world of magazines, comics, and illustrated books demands color. Enter the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft, a device promising to bridge the gap between e-reader and tablet. But does it deliver on this promise? I spent several weeks with the Colorsoft to find out.
The Magic of Reading on a Kindle
A book page on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
Having relied on an iPad after my Kindle Paperwhite’s battery failed, I’d forgotten the simple joy of a dedicated e-reader. The Colorsoft’s lightweight, comfortable design is a stark contrast to a tablet’s bulk. Its non-reflective screen is perfect for reading in any lighting, and the 7-inch display, nestled against the front glass, mimics the feel of a paper page. This “friendliness” is hard to define, but it’s a crucial part of the Kindle experience.
A person holding the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
The Colorsoft’s responsiveness and customization options, from font size to screen warmth, enhance this experience further. It reminded me of what I’d been missing with the iPad.
Is Color the Missing Ingredient?
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature EditionAndy Boxall / MaagX
Here’s where the Colorsoft’s true test begins. The core Kindle experience remains unchanged, so the color screen is the key differentiator. While the color display has a lower 150 ppi compared to the 300 ppi black-and-white mode, color pages still appear sharp. However, zooming, which worked in comics, was disabled in the magazines I tested. Furthermore, the “Vivid” screen setting and high brightness were necessary for optimal color vibrancy.
A magazine cover on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
Comic formatting presented challenges, with unattractive borders. Text size was also an issue, requiring zooming, which highlighted the Colorsoft’s slow processing speed and screen refresh rate.
A page from a comic on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
Magazine performance wasn’t much better, with jarring page transitions, occasional formatting issues, and small images. While not terrible, it’s not comparable to reading print or digital magazines on a tablet. The color screen shone brightest in the library and Kindle Store, where book covers popped, adding vibrancy to the interface.
Mastering the Fundamentals
The Settings panel on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
Beyond the color screen, the Colorsoft excels in simplicity. Navigation is intuitive, and purchasing books directly from the Kindle Store is seamless. Setup is equally straightforward, taking less than 10 minutes. With 32GB of storage and various file transfer options, managing your library is easy.
A magazine page on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
Battery life is impressive, easily reaching Amazon’s estimated eight weeks. However, recharging is slow. The IPX8 water resistance is a welcome addition. While I appreciate the overall simplicity, the lack of color options for the device itself is a missed opportunity.
Areas for Improvement
A zoomed in comic page on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
The auto-brightness feature consistently set the screen too dim, especially for color content, forcing manual adjustments. The power button’s placement on the bottom edge is inconvenient. The absence of full dark mode, a feature present on other Kindle models, is also disappointing. Finally, some early adopters reported a yellow tint on the screen, though my review unit was unaffected.
A magazine page on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
Price and Alternatives
A person holding the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
At $280, the Colorsoft is one of the most expensive Kindles. The base Kindle and Paperwhite offer significant cost savings for those primarily interested in reading books. Alternatives like the Amazon Fire Max 11 and Apple iPad provide better value for magazine and comic reading, with added tablet functionality. The Onyx Boox Go Color 7 offers a versatile Android-based option for those not tied to the Kindle ecosystem.
The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature EditionAndy Boxall / MaagX
Should You Buy It?
A person holding the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.Andy Boxall / MaagX
The Colorsoft is an excellent e-reader for books, but the color screen’s benefits are limited. While it adds vibrancy and expands reading options, the experience with comics and magazines isn’t as smooth as on a tablet. The decision comes down to your reading habits and budget. If you primarily read books, the Paperwhite is a better value. If you crave color and frequently read illustrated content, a tablet might be a more satisfying choice.
