Kindle Paperwhite 4 Leak: New Waterproof and Flat Design Rumored
After the release of the Kindle Oasis, it was relatively quiet regarding Amazon’s eBook reader business. Although the high-priced model impressed in many respects, ultimately the Kindle Paperwhite remained the by far most important reading device of the shipping giant here, especially due to repeated price reductions.
As such, it was clear that the Paperwhite brand would continue in the future. However, in what form and when that would happen was unclear until today.
Part of the answer now (allegedly) comes from a Chinese informant on the Baidu website, who claims to know details about the new Kindle Paperwhite 4. Although the original post has already been deleted, a Mobileread user managed to save the published information in time and has republished it.
Is this the Kindle Paperwhite 4?
Along with a brief device description and a few supposed insider details, a partly blurred eBook reader has been pictured (see right and below).
Paperwhite 4, Waterproof and Flat?
The two most significant and possibly only changes in the purported Kindle Paperwhite 4 are said to be the new waterproofing and the flush front. It’s unclear how the electronics will be protected from harmful water exposure. Typically, the options are a sealed housing that no water can penetrate or a special nano-coating directly on the hardware. Both implementations are already known from various models (Kobo Aura H2O, PocketBook Aqua, Tolino Vision 4 HD, Kobo Aura One, etc.).
Cleared photo
Supposedly, the price will also change a bit. However, this information should be taken with a grain of salt, as the German eReader market operates under somewhat different, lower-priced rules due to Tolino’s strength.
The rest of the hardware for the Paperwhite 4 is said not to change, meaning the same CPU, memory, and 300 ppi display will be used. The glossy surface of the “spy shots” might raise a few eyebrows. The quite strong reflections are likely due to a plastic cover. The final product will (hopefully) have a matte housing and display surface.
The market launch of the new Kindle Paperwhite is expected in the second half of 2017.
High-End Models as Oasis and Voyage Replacements
As a kind of bonus, the informant also mentions that the Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis will likely be discontinued with the coming year 2018. Supposedly, two high-end models with metal cases will make their debut instead. These will also be waterproof.
Once again, I can remind everyone about the Liquavista technology, which Amazon secured a few years ago by acquiring the namesake Dutch company. I’ve hoped several times that the shipping giant would dare to shake up the eReader market with this new display technology — it hasn’t happened yet.
If the claim that Amazon’s current high-end models will not continue in name either proves true, it’s conceivable that something entirely new is in store for us.
It might be something different, namely a blue-light-reduced lighting system. This is currently only found among the competition. It’s assumed that Amazon wants to offer this in the future, too.
Supposedly, the two new 2018 eBook readers will also come in two sizes: 6 and 7 inches. This would mean that Amazon, after the Kindle DX, will once again release a (somewhat) larger model on the market. Up until now, it has left this segment to the competition. Especially Kobo managed to win many fans with the Aura H2O (6.8 inches) and Aura ONE (7.8 inches) – despite massive supply difficulties.
Current Models Still a Good Deal
With this new information about the Kindle Paperwhite 4 that doesn’t sound too spectacular, it can be emphasized once again that the current Kindle models are still a good deal.
The Kindle Paperwhite 3 is once again significantly reduced in price and costs only 90 euros instead of around 120 euros. The Kindle Voyage is also 30 euros cheaper. If you can do without the supposedly planned water protection of the Paperwhite 4, you still can’t go wrong with the current models.
