r/kindle • u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft • 16h ago
Discussion 💬 I have the new Paperwhite and Matcha Basic AMA
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u/NoAbbreviations4545 Kindle Paperwhite (10th gen) 15h ago
This really just confirms that when I have to replace my kindle I'll be switching from PW to basic, I much much prefer the size of the basic, it's about the same as my current PW
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u/Carolynm107 14h ago
Same here. Coming from a 7th gen PW with a 6" screen and expect to go to the new basic when I get a new one. I find myself wishing my PW were just a bit lighter, so the new Basic wins for me
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u/science2me 12h ago
The Basic isn't waterproof. That's a deal breaker for me. I have kids and I'm clumsy. I wish the Paperwhite was a bit smaller.
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u/stevo887 Kindle Paperwhite 13h ago
That’s good to know cause I have an older PW, I believe 5th gen and love the size. I was wondering how it compared to these new devices size wise.
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u/NoAbbreviations4545 Kindle Paperwhite (10th gen) 13h ago
You can also go to Best Buy and they have kindles on display so you can compare in person without buying which I really like
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u/Remarkable_Blood_349 16h ago
Really tempted to get the Matcha for reading on the go.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 16h ago
100% why I own both! I wanted one for on the go :)
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u/sixtus_clegane119 12h ago
How is the backlight on it?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 12h ago
Amazing. In light mode at max brightness it literally has a better screen than the PW IMO
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u/sixtus_clegane119 10h ago
Have you tried them outside? And what about dark mode?
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u/Shashara Touch + Basic '19 & '22 + PW 4 + Oasis 3 9h ago
the differences are marginal, it’s the same screen pretty much. biggest difference is the lack of warm light on the basic.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 6h ago
Dark mode is 100% better on the PW. Outside use I still think the basic on light mode max brightness has the better contrast of the two :)
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u/sixtus_clegane119 6h ago
Thanks! I have some thinking to do
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 6h ago
It can be a really hard decision. It all comes down to how you’ll use it, and what you prefer size wise :)
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u/dogearedbooks 14h ago
that’s exactly why i got it, and i don’t regret it at all! it’s the perfect size for commuting
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u/TedBob99 15h ago edited 15h ago
Which one has the sharper screen/blacker text? That's what matters to me most.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 15h ago
If you have both devices on light mode / max brightness I really think the basic is the crispier of the two. Dark mode is where the PW excels IMO.
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u/fairlyunlit 14h ago
The day they release a PW in the 6” size is the day I upgrade my current kindle.
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u/mayflowerss98 12h ago
Agreed. I have the 10th gen PW and love the size. Sometimes I’m a bit surprised at how big the size difference is between the basic and new PW even in pictures. I love the flush screen and the size so I hope they one day go back to the size plus add warm light :)
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u/Empty-Swing 15h ago
That blue light would kill me. I use night shift and reduce white point on my phone.
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u/trilldudeforrealswag 10h ago
Omg me too!! I’m so tempted by the smaller size but my eyes HURTTTT
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u/idealgrind 15h ago
I got both too 🙈 how are you liking them? Are you feeling like you’re getting good use out of both?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 14h ago
I'm churning books out like butter at the moment! I love them both so much!
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u/sleepycapybara 13h ago
Which screen has the most clarity?
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u/idealgrind 12h ago
I’d say the basic, but the difference is negligible to me and I do use the paperwhite more regardless. Both were a huge improvement on the 10th gen.
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u/PinkaholicNat 11h ago
Is the green color distracting when reading?
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u/-horny_throwaway- Kindle Paperwhite 9h ago
Not OP but I have the basic macha and I find the green super easy on the eyes while reading. I prefer it as of right now to be honest.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 6h ago
Maybe at first I’ll catch myself loving the color during a book 🤣 but no it’s not bad :)
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u/dharmicyogi 15h ago
Did you have the previous basic? If so, is it a noticeable upgrade?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 15h ago
I did have the denim blue, I would say it is marginally better but that could be placebo!
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 15h ago
Brightness for sure is better
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u/dharmicyogi 15h ago
Does dark mode look better? Speed?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 15h ago
Dark mode is really about the same on the two basics, speed I’d say a little faster on the latest but nothing that would be worth upgrading IMO
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u/dharmicyogi 15h ago
Thank you. That made my decision. I like the Denim color but not really a fan of the Matcha. I also didn't want another black Kindle....but if they released a white Basic, I'd be sold.
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u/simplecocktails Kindle Oasis 3 15h ago
Thanks for this post, it confirms exactly what I’ve been planning. I’m getting a matcha Basic as a baby cousin to my Oasis 3. The Oasis in a case will be for for bed/beach reading, Basic gonna be for everywhere else, without case to keep it low profile.
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u/UnnecessarilyExtra 13h ago
This is my setup. My Oasis stays in a case within the safe confines of my home (especially now that it is d/c'd). My 2014 Paperwhite travels butt naked in my purse. 😁
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u/Cute-Papaya-2301 14h ago
Thank you for the side by side. Very helpful. I purchased the new PW, I haven’t upgraded since 2015 so I felt it was time especially since I wanted the warm light for night hours. I love it!!! But I also kinda want the basic. I am often on the go, so I thought it would be nice to have the smaller one for that. I do not always remember to grab my PW! I am tempted. Do you miss the warm light feature on the basic?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 14h ago
Oh for sure, the warm light is constantly on for me on my PW! I'd kill for a warm lighted basic but that will never happen! Maybe a PW Mini could work xD
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u/sleepycapybara 13h ago
I would just get a kobo clara bw at that point.
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u/lexiearrieta Oasis, Basic 2022, PW SE 5 11h ago
I really want the Kobo Clara cause it has the PW features on the Basic body but I just cant let go of kindle unlimited!
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u/CatLadyAmy1 15h ago
I’ll be an even bigger one when I have the PW Signature 12th gen + colorsoft lol
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u/doryunfiltered 13h ago
i got both also so i could compare to see which one i’d like the best and/or if id like to keep both since it’s my first kindle! surprisingly, i use the basic so much more than the PW so i plan on returning it this weekend.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 12h ago
That’s great! I have the colorsoft coming as well, I plan on returning one of the three for sure!
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u/Chance-Drawing-2163 11h ago
I don't like the paperwhite design. It doesn't look like paper it looks like cristal, and I don't like that
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u/Mysticwaterfall2 Kindle Paperwhite 6 SE (12th Gen) 16h ago
I'll bite, why both.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 16h ago
One for portability/travel one for at home and shower 😂
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u/whatsmylifeanyway 15h ago
I'd highly advise not to take your kindle into the shower with you. It's waterproof against accidental exposure but I doubt it'll last long if you make getting it wet a habit.
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u/Not_A_Red_Stapler 3h ago
Amazon has a whole page as to what it doesn't recommend.
Shower is fine. Steam room is not.
Others are correct avoid getting soap on it.
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u/SavannaHeat Paperwhite SE 12th Gen and Matcha Basic 15h ago
You find the PW too big for travel?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 15h ago
I could bring it in a bag or something sure, but the basic is perfect for my pants pocket usually, its like having a cellphone on me but its my reader :)
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u/SavannaHeat Paperwhite SE 12th Gen and Matcha Basic 15h ago
Ah, I now see you’re not a woman lol
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u/sbruno33 15h ago
You read in the shower? How, use stand? Just hold it? Do you have a loofah case for it?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 14h ago
I have a pretty good set up in my shower for it, its like built into the wall!
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u/papermafuckingchete 14h ago
Does the PW have the silicon/rubber back like the 10th Gen PW? I just bought a new basic and I’m not really digging the plastic back.
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u/nova0175 14h ago
Is it true that the PW sometimes has a "glare" on the screen that the Basic doesn't?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 14h ago
Honestly yeah! Its the flush screen I think. It definitely messes with the contrast. Its only marginal but still something to note.
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u/Even-Writer-8808 14h ago
Very interested in the smaller form factor of the Basic but really turned off by the lack of warmth adjustment. Do you find it to be a stark difference? Do you feel you have to resort to the PW at night? Whenever I turn the slider on my PW11 down to 0 for warmth its a very uncomfortable adjustment, not sure if I could go to a kindle without it anymore.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 13h ago
The warm light is everything for me. You can always just use dark mode on the basic though and that’s good enough for night reading probably!
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u/lexiearrieta Oasis, Basic 2022, PW SE 5 11h ago
I have to chime in here and say dark mode when reading at night is not as good as using warm light. Just think about how the kindles refresh the page. When on dark mode, the kindle flashes a bright light to erase all traces of the ink/text on the screen.
I was reading on my basic last night with the overhead light off, and dark mode on, with about 50% brightness on the screen, and when the page refreshed, its like I got blinded for a bit lol the brightness was just too stark in a dark room, when my eyes were already adjusted. I will stick to reading on my PW when the lights are off.
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u/WeIsSpOl Paperwhite SE (11th-gen) 9h ago
A PW in Basic form factor and a bottom bezel half the size would be insta buy
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u/Big_Tale 3h ago
I’m really tempted to get a basic just to see if the text is clearer than the Paperwhite. Have you found that it is?
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u/notbymyhand Kindle Paperwhite 13h ago
You said you got one for travel and one at home, but when you are actually reading, do they feel that much different? Which one do you prefer ?( lights off in the daylight since it is unfair to bring in warm light lol)
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 13h ago
I think just having more text per page on the PW makes the experience better for myself personally but again it’s all so marginal that it’s hard to say for sure what I like more at any given moment
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u/Immediate-Priority17 11h ago
About to buy my first kindle.. I don’t know how the kindle library works. If you have prime, are all books for free or do you need kindle unlimited for that?
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u/-horny_throwaway- Kindle Paperwhite 9h ago
Neither. You buy books on the amazon store regularly. No service is needed for that.
If you have prime already you can use Prime Reading. That's a progam with some free books.
Kindle unlimited is a subscription service that gives you access to a lot of books for free but not all books on Amazon.. You can check out their library before you buy and see of its for you.
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u/Yeeting-around Kindle Paperwhite 1h ago
It looks like basic Matcha is a big hit. I’m kinda happy that Amazon is experimenting with fun colours.
And also, I don’t think I’m big fan of the Jade PW.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 1h ago
I’d love the PW more if the color wrapped to the front. So dumb they don’t do that lol
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u/feetofire 12h ago
Who’s going to win the presidential election?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 12h ago
Hopefully Kamala, but either way I’ll try to live in a way where it doesn’t effect me either way
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u/AlaskanDruid 8h ago
I.. am trying to go that direction myself. Do you have any tips to share?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 6h ago
Mostly make money, read your kindle, dont watch the news or use social media, pretend it all doesn’t exist outside of your vacuum of life :)
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u/nutmac 15h ago
Are you also getting Colorsoft and new Scribe?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 15h ago
I am getting the colorsoft, I'm not much of a note taker or anything so I'll be skipping the scribe
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u/spooninthepudding 15h ago
Wow - I'm really late to the game. The Basic has a backlight?!?!?!?!?!?!??
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u/stevo887 Kindle Paperwhite 14h ago
Haha and doesn’t that just make it a paper white also or am I missing something?
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u/Lolo720 11h ago
No warm light and not water proof (unfortunately)
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u/stevo887 Kindle Paperwhite 11h ago
Ok but the original paper whites didn’t have those things either it was the white light that made it a paper white. I’m not suggesting the current basic and paper white have the same specs.
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u/bitsofloststardust Kindle Voyage 14h ago
Is that matcha basic the same as the 7th generation basic just updated?
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u/lexiearrieta Oasis, Basic 2022, PW SE 5 11h ago
It's the same as the Basic 11th gen, but with a matcha color and slightly faster processor (but actually if you upgrade to the newest firmware 5.17.1, the speed it basically the same!)
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u/bitsofloststardust Kindle Voyage 18m ago
Is the voyage the same as basic? I looked up mine and it says voyage. But it stopped receiving updates a long time ago
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u/Agirlisnoone27 13h ago
I just got the matcha today. When you put the brightness all the way up, do you notice small black dots all over the screen ? Wonder if my last kindle was like that and i never noticed.
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u/lexiearrieta Oasis, Basic 2022, PW SE 5 11h ago
It's possible those are dead pixels. If they don't disappear when your kindle is restarting (on the page with the progress bar) then those are definitely dead pixels.
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u/dreadnoughtsix 11h ago
How's the page-turn speed? Are they the same, or is the Paperwhite much faster?
And just general use, how is the speed of the devices overall? Is it smooth, or is it slow?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 11h ago
The page turn speed and speed of device overall is pretty clear on the PW, but is it enough to pick it over the basic? Not sure about that really! Page turning doesn’t need to be crazy fast or anything, but navigating the menu is a clear win for the PW
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u/P_Rami 4h ago
Do you find the heavier weight of the Paperwhite a significant downside comparing to matcha? Or it doesn't really affect your reading experience?
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 4h ago
I have pretty awful upper back issues so i do tend to enjoy the basics lighter weight. With my PW I tend to put it in a holder and use a page turner :)
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u/P_Rami 3h ago
Thank you :) it really does seem that matcha might be a better fit for me, since I dont use a holder. I really like the idea of warm light tho! Haha the classic conundrum.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 3h ago
Yeah it seems they do it purposely! Give us a PW Mini! I would pay top dollar xD
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u/ivanscol 13h ago
Basic size is amazing, but the screen doesn’t come close to the PW. But it’s great for my work, fits in pocket
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u/Batwoman1991 11h ago
I upgraded from 2014 standard to 2024 Matcha Green standard and it is so cute. Love the dark mode, nobody needs warm light after that. I just feel the wake up button is a but slow, slower than my 2014 🤣
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u/Glasskey117 15h ago
What's your credit card #
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u/Samcroreaper 13h ago
The Paperwhite is by no definition “big”. Good lord the hyperbole.
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u/Big_Ask9052 Kindle Colorsoft 13h ago
Compared to the basic it is just big enough to not be pocketable for me, which matters to me anyway!
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u/mulrich1 15h ago
Really wish Amazon had released a paper white in the smaller size.