Official Launch: Kindle Paperwhite 4 Introduced with 4G, Water Protection, and Bluetooth
Update 16.10.2018: The Kindle Paperwhite 4 was officially announced today, just as expected. Here you can find all the information about the new eBook Reader.
Update 14.10.2018: There are now several confirmations from the USA that press events were held last week, where selected media were given a preview of a new Kindle – under an embargo.
So the chances are indeed very good that Amazon will present the new device in the coming days. Contrary to the first report, this is expected not on October 17th, but a day earlier, on 16.10.2018.
In the meantime, Amazon seems to be working on the Kindle Paperwhite product page. The 3G version with ad support was temporarily available again, but now it’s not anymore. The availability date was October 21 in Germany and October 20 in the UK. It’s possible that pre-orders or shipments of the new model will start on this day.
Original announcement 12.10.2018: The Kindle Paperwhite is arguably the most successful eReader ever – the current model, which has been on the market since 2015, not only garnered a slew of positive reviews over the years but also managed to stay ahead of the competition in terms of value for money.
That comes to an end with the recent introduction of the Tolino Shine 3, as the competitor in the same price segment offers more than the Paperwhite 3, including a 300ppi display, reduced blue light illumination, no ads, and lightweight.
While the E-Ink CEO dampened our hopes for new Tolino and Kindle eReaders with a comment a few weeks ago, there are increasing signs that Amazon’s response to the Tolino Shine 3 could arrive soon. The Digital Reader found a corresponding hint on a Chinese website.
Possible Presentation in Beijing
According to this, a new Kindle is to be introduced on October 17, 2018, at 1:30 PM (7:30 AM our time) in the Zhong Gallery in Beijing. The image shown is said to have been published on Weibo – however, I couldn’t find the source. A necessary degree of skepticism is definitely warranted.
If the invitation is authentic, one can assume that the new introduction will be the Kindle Paperwhite 4. The eReader was already leaked in 2017 but hasn’t appeared yet. The case corner revealed in the image looks quite similar to the leak.
What Changes Are There?
If no major changes have occurred in the meantime, the Paperwhite 4 will likely have a flat case front and possibly water resistance. Since the other two Kindle models are already equipped with these features, the Paperwhite 4 will undoubtedly also feature Bluetooth. Enhanced Audible integration would thus enter the key segment.
The feathers in the image can be seen as a hint that the eBook Reader will be significantly lighter than the current model. This would not be surprising, as virtually all newly introduced 6-inch models now weigh well under 200 grams.
The big unknown concerns the screen. While a “Retina” resolution with 300 ppi and a screen diagonal of 6 inches are very likely in my estimation, the same cannot be said for possible blue light reduction.
Although Amazon has offered a corresponding color temperature correction on the Fire tablets for some time, the last eReader presentation (Kindle Oasis 2) had to do without a night light. Moreover, the question arises whether Amazon wants to let the premium model overtake in features in the mid-range segment.
Since the Kindle Voyage recently was discontinued, the Paperwhite 4 could fill the gap. In my opinion, the chances are also good that the current Kindle Paperwhite 3 will replace the existing basic device as an entry-level model. The eReader is now almost permanently discounted. The basic Kindle, with its Pearl display, is also outdated and can actually no longer be recommended.
In a few days, we will know more.
