Kindle Paperwhite 2014 with Enhanced Storage Officially Launched
Update: The following article describes the covert memory upgrade of the Kindle Paperwhite 2. Meanwhile, the Kindle Paperwhite 3 is now available, which also features a 4 GB internal memory (about 3 GB available for the user).
Interestingly, Amazon also avoids stating exact numbers for the successor and simply notes its storage with the following message: “Space for thousands of books.” But that’s not a problem – just like the facelift of its predecessor (see below), the Paperwhite 3 anyway offers more storage than previous Kindle models.
Original Article: In mid-July, we had already reported that Amazon quietly released a slightly modified version of the Kindle Paperwhite. Initially, this was only noticeable because a reference to an until then unknown 2014 model appeared on the US site of the retailer. A second glance revealed that the device’s item number had changed, but otherwise, everything initially seemed to remain the same.
Shortly thereafter, I was able to confirm that the so-called Kindle Paperwhite 2014 is equipped with 4 GB of internal storage, whereas the previous sales version only had 2 GB. Furthermore, the “new” eBook reader weighs a few grams more (208 grams instead of 203 grams). Otherwise, nothing apparent has changed, so it was still unclear whether Amazon was just selling off the Japanese model (which always had more storage) in the West or if it was actually a permanent update to the product line.
Confirmed: 2014 model with larger storage capacity
The question should now be settled because while the new Paperwhite was already regularly orderable at the time of the first report, you had to specifically search for the item number to find the device back then. This has now changed. Amazon has listed the 2014 model as the official sales version on the Kindle product pages, and the search now directly leads to the “facelift” with the “B00JG8GBDM” item number. According to forum users at ALLESebook.de, it seems that the 3G version of the eBook reader has also been equipped with the same storage upgrade.
The price remains unchanged despite the larger storage, meaning that the facelift version is still available for 109 euros.
Kindle Paperwhite remains and Kindle DX gets a successor?
The fact that Amazon is making this secret model change just before the end of the usual Kindle product cycle (early September to late August) might suggest that the Kindle Paperwhite will be positioned as a low-cost illuminated model in the future (or already is here), while another eBook reader could occupy a spot in the higher price segment. This would also match with the rumors circulated by Techcrunch a few months ago, suggesting that Amazon’s next reading device (codename: Kindle Ice Wine) will feature an entirely new design, a higher resolution screen, and further detailed improvements (page-turn buttons, brightness sensor).
Is the Kindle DX getting a successor soon?
In my opinion, the display size remains an open question because, on one hand, other manufacturers are already offering, more or less successfully, but definitely with high customer demand, new devices with higher pixel density in the 6.8-inch and 8-inch segments. On the other hand, Amazon still hasn’t completely removed the Kindle DX from their lineup.
After the 9.7-inch eBook reader disappeared from the US site a few months ago, the international sales page remained online. It’s curious that the currently displayed 2 to 4-month delivery delay for a device that apparently is no longer being produced. Amazon has not updated the Kindle DX for years, let alone actively promoted it. There is still the assumption that Amazon wants to (re)enter the larger display segment, which would also align with the recent Comixology acquisition. After all, along with the higher pixel density, a larger screen would provide better display quality.
