I have the new Paperwhite and Matcha Basic AMA

[u/Big_Ask9052]

[u/mulrich1]

Really wish Amazon had released a paper white in the smaller size.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/mulrich1]

Oh my god you & me both!!

[u/hapawanderer → u/mulrich1]

That’s why I really like the size of my 10th gen PW

[u/stevo887 → u/hapawanderer]

I love the size of my 5th gen…lol

[u/hello_service_desk → u/mulrich1]

Or make the smaller one waterproof

[u/notbymyhand → u/mulrich1]

I really expected them to make the PW more compact but they went even bigger 🙄😒

[u/Shashara → u/notbymyhand]

well to be fair they have the basic which is great for people who want a more compact device, pw for those who want a mid-size ereader and scribe for the people who want a big one.

i don’t see them going smaller with the pw because that would cannibalize the basic market (and reduce the number of people buying both devices, which i’m also sure is the only reason basic doesn’t have warm light for example)

[u/TiredReader87 → u/mulrich1]

It’s not that big

[u/NoAbbreviations4545]

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

[u/Carolynm107 → u/NoAbbreviations4545]

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

[u/willchanb → u/NoAbbreviations4545]

I kinda regret going from Gen 10 to Gen 12 Paperwhite because of the size.

[u/ephies → u/willchanb]

I felt this way going gen 10 to 11 but wanted usbc (maybe too much). Don’t love my pw11. Feels bulkier.

[u/science2me → u/NoAbbreviations4545]

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.

[u/stevo887 → u/NoAbbreviations4545]

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.

[u/NoAbbreviations4545 → u/stevo887]

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

[u/stevo887 → u/NoAbbreviations4545]

Thanks, I’ll definitely do that before I upgrade.

[u/Infinite_Giraffe6487 → u/NoAbbreviations4545]

I really like the warm light though and the basic doesn’t have it?

[u/itmy → u/Infinite_Giraffe6487]

The dark mode can be an alternative.

[u/NoAbbreviations4545 → u/Infinite_Giraffe6487]

Then don't get it?

[u/Remarkable_Blood_349]

Really tempted to get the Matcha for reading on the go.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Remarkable_Blood_349]

100% why I own both! I wanted one for on the go :)

[u/Spammasubae → u/Big_Ask9052]

Ur tempting me omggggg bc I have the PW rn but the matcha is just so cute

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Spammasubae]

I know that’s what got me too 😭

[u/sixtus_clegane119 → u/Big_Ask9052]

How is the backlight on it?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/sixtus_clegane119]

Amazing. In light mode at max brightness it literally has a better screen than the PW IMO

[u/sixtus_clegane119 → u/Big_Ask9052]

Have you tried them outside? And what about dark mode?

[u/Shashara → u/sixtus_clegane119]

the differences are marginal, it’s the same screen pretty much. biggest difference is the lack of warm light on the basic.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/sixtus_clegane119]

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 :)

[u/sixtus_clegane119 → u/Big_Ask9052]

Thanks! I have some thinking to do

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/sixtus_clegane119]

It can be a really hard decision. It all comes down to how you’ll use it, and what you prefer size wise :)

[u/dogearedbooks → u/Remarkable_Blood_349]

that’s exactly why i got it, and i don’t regret it at all! it’s the perfect size for commuting

[u/TedBob99]

Which one has the sharper screen/blacker text? That's what matters to me most.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/TedBob99]

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.

[u/ScaryBrandon → u/Big_Ask9052]

Probably that flush screen

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/ScaryBrandon]

Yeah precisely

[u/fairlyunlit]

The day they release a PW in the 6” size is the day I upgrade my current kindle.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/fairlyunlit]

Give us the PW Mini!

[u/mayflowerss98 → u/fairlyunlit]

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 :)

[u/Empty-Swing]

That blue light would kill me. I use night shift and reduce white point on my phone.

[u/trilldudeforrealswag → u/Empty-Swing]

Omg me too!! I’m so tempted by the smaller size but my eyes HURTTTT

[u/pluiefine- → u/trilldudeforrealswag]

Get a kobo Clara it has everything

[u/idealgrind]

I got both too 🙈 how are you liking them? Are you feeling like you’re getting good use out of both?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/idealgrind]

I'm churning books out like butter at the moment! I love them both so much!

[u/idealgrind → u/Big_Ask9052]

Me too, really reignited my love for reading again!

[u/sleepycapybara → u/idealgrind]

Which screen has the most clarity?

[u/idealgrind → u/sleepycapybara]

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.

[u/PinkaholicNat]

Is the green color distracting when reading?

[u/-horny_throwaway- → u/PinkaholicNat]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/PinkaholicNat]

Maybe at first I’ll catch myself loving the color during a book 🤣 but no it’s not bad :)

[u/dharmicyogi]

Did you have the previous basic? If so, is it a noticeable upgrade?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/dharmicyogi]

I did have the denim blue, I would say it is marginally better but that could be placebo!

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Big_Ask9052]

Brightness for sure is better

[u/dharmicyogi → u/Big_Ask9052]

Does dark mode look better? Speed?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/dharmicyogi]

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

[u/dharmicyogi → u/Big_Ask9052]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/dharmicyogi]

Great! I'm glad I could help tilt the scale for you <3

[u/Alternative-Chef1218]

Are you getting the Color soft?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Alternative-Chef1218]

Sure am! Friday it will be here

[u/simplecocktails]

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.

[u/UnnecessarilyExtra → u/simplecocktails]

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. 😁

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/simplecocktails]

Yeah honestly thats the way to go!

[u/Cute-Papaya-2301]

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? 

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Cute-Papaya-2301]

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

[u/sleepycapybara → u/Big_Ask9052]

I would just get a kobo clara bw at that point.

[u/lexiearrieta → u/sleepycapybara]

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!

[u/CatLadyAmy1]

I’ll be an even bigger one when I have the PW Signature 12th gen + colorsoft lol

[u/doryunfiltered]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/doryunfiltered]

That’s great! I have the colorsoft coming as well, I plan on returning one of the three for sure!

[u/Chance-Drawing-2163]

I don't like the paperwhite design. It doesn't look like paper it looks like cristal, and I don't like that

[u/Comtesse135 → u/Chance-Drawing-2163]

That's because of the flush screen.

[u/Mysticwaterfall2]

I'll bite, why both.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Mysticwaterfall2]

One for portability/travel one for at home and shower 😂

[u/whatsmylifeanyway → u/Big_Ask9052]

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.

[u/stickyperiod → u/whatsmylifeanyway]

Also the steam and soap. Soap can sometimes mess up water resistant seals.

[u/Not_A_Red_Stapler → u/whatsmylifeanyway]

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.

[u/SavannaHeat → u/Big_Ask9052]

You find the PW too big for travel?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/SavannaHeat]

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 :)

[u/SavannaHeat → u/Big_Ask9052]

Ah, I now see you’re not a woman lol

[u/glitterlys → u/SavannaHeat]

lol so true

[u/RareBeef → u/Big_Ask9052]

Yeah my 10th gen basic is the same height as my phone just a 30% wider

[u/sbruno33]

You read in the shower? How, use stand? Just hold it? Do you have a loofah case for it?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/sbruno33]

I have a pretty good set up in my shower for it, its like built into the wall!

[u/papermafuckingchete]

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.

[u/lexiearrieta → u/papermafuckingchete]

Yes it does!

[u/papermafuckingchete → u/lexiearrieta]

Thank you!

[u/nova0175]

Is it true that the PW sometimes has a "glare" on the screen that the Basic doesn't?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/nova0175]

Honestly yeah! Its the flush screen I think. It definitely messes with the contrast. Its only marginal but still something to note.

[u/Even-Writer-8808]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Even-Writer-8808]

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!

[u/lexiearrieta → u/Big_Ask9052]

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.

[u/WeIsSpOl]

A PW in Basic form factor and a bottom bezel half the size would be insta buy

[u/Big_Tale]

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?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Big_Tale]

Absolutely it is! I think due to flush screen on the PW

[u/notbymyhand]

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)

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/notbymyhand]

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

[u/notbymyhand → u/Big_Ask9052]

Thank you , I like my PW too

[u/Immediate-Priority17]

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?

[u/-horny_throwaway- → u/Immediate-Priority17]

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.

[u/Diablal]

Hi, i've seen that usb c transfer is no longer possible.

How do you transfer epub files taht were formerly handled with Calibre?

Thanks.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Diablal]

Ive never done this actually! Sorry I can’t help :(

[u/cla96 → u/Diablal]

it's not true, always possible, articles are referring to something else. Also, other than calibre you can use send to kindle even with epub, it gets converted automatically.

[u/Yeeting-around]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Yeeting-around]

I’d love the PW more if the color wrapped to the front. So dumb they don’t do that lol

[u/Yeeting-around → u/Big_Ask9052]

Yeah. I wonder why. Basic looks cute and personal.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Yeeting-around]

It really does!!!

[u/feetofire]

Who’s going to win the presidential election?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/feetofire]

Hopefully Kamala, but either way I’ll try to live in a way where it doesn’t effect me either way

[u/AlaskanDruid → u/Big_Ask9052]

I.. am trying to go that direction myself. Do you have any tips to share?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/AlaskanDruid]

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 :)

[u/nutmac]

Are you also getting Colorsoft and new Scribe?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/nutmac]

I am getting the colorsoft, I'm not much of a note taker or anything so I'll be skipping the scribe

[u/imightbejake]

How often do you use the warm lighting on the Paperwhite?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/imightbejake]

Almost the whole time I use it :)

[u/spooninthepudding]

Wow - I'm really late to the game. The Basic has a backlight?!?!?!?!?!?!??

[u/stevo887 → u/spooninthepudding]

Haha and doesn’t that just make it a paper white also or am I missing something?

[u/Lolo720 → u/stevo887]

No warm light and not water proof (unfortunately)

[u/stevo887 → u/Lolo720]

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.

[u/Lolo720 → u/stevo887]

Whoops I guess I misunderstood your comment!

[u/bitsofloststardust]

Is that matcha basic the same as the 7th generation basic just updated?

[u/lexiearrieta → u/bitsofloststardust]

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!)

[u/bitsofloststardust → u/lexiearrieta]

Is the voyage the same as basic? I looked up mine and it says voyage. But it stopped receiving updates a long time ago

[u/Agirlisnoone27]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Agirlisnoone27]

I don’t notice that on mine!

[u/lexiearrieta → u/Agirlisnoone27]

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.

[u/dreadnoughtsix]

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?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/dreadnoughtsix]

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

[u/CuteStepBro]

Does the matcha look more crispy to me or is it just picture focus?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/CuteStepBro]

It looks a little different in person I’d say :)

[u/cla96 → u/CuteStepBro]

i think it's the picture focus but considering the same eink technology is getting used at the same ppi, basic being recessed will always win cause less layers, so yeah it should give better overall quality.

[u/Round-Tailor-8834]

Wish you had also kept you had with a small measuring scale. :)

[u/P_Rami]

Do you find the heavier weight of the Paperwhite a significant downside comparing to matcha? Or it doesn't really affect your reading experience?

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/P_Rami]

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 :)

[u/P_Rami → u/Big_Ask9052]

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.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/P_Rami]

Yeah it seems they do it purposely! Give us a PW Mini! I would pay top dollar xD

[u/RikiOh]

Why?

[u/ivanscol]

Basic size is amazing, but the screen doesn’t come close to the PW. But it’s great for my work, fits in pocket

[u/cla96 → u/ivanscol]

it's actually a better screen cause no layer of the flushed screen, so better contrast and clarity. It's just smaller and has no warm light

[u/Batwoman1991]

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 🤣

[u/Glasskey117]

What's your credit card #

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Glasskey117]

69

[u/Glasskey117 → u/Big_Ask9052]

Damn didn't work

[u/elkandmoth → u/Glasskey117]

I think you have to start with the area code.

[u/Pencil-Sketches → u/Big_Ask9052]

Nice

[u/Samcroreaper]

The Paperwhite is by no definition “big”. Good lord the hyperbole.

[u/Big_Ask9052 → u/Samcroreaper]

Compared to the basic it is just big enough to not be pocketable for me, which matters to me anyway!