Kindle Paperwhite vs Kindle Voyage: In-Depth Comparison and Best Choice for 2023
Amazon is offering three eBook readers this year – the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Voyage are the company’s two illuminated models. And despite this similarity, there are a number of important differences that make a comparison of the two devices worthwhile.
The Voyage features a particularly high-resolution 6-inch display with a pixel density of 300 ppi – in other words, no other eBook reader can display text as sharply as the new Amazon flagship. Additionally, page-turn buttons are making a comeback, and the housing has been completely redesigned compared to previous models. However, all these changes also mean a hefty price: at least 189 euros for the Voyage.
The Paperwhite, especially in terms of price, has a much easier go. The model was reduced to 99 euros just a few weeks ago, making it the eBook reader with the best price-performance ratio currently available. The Kindle Paperwhite owes this largely to the proven and highly legible E-Ink Carta screen. It’s clear: Both devices have their advantages, but which is the better choice is something the following comparison will clarify.
Software
The software of the Kindle Paperwhite and Voyage are almost identical. Both use the well-known Kindle operating system, which has matured over the years. Thus, their home screens are identical: Directly under the regular cover view are Kindle book recommendations, which can fortunately be hidden if desired (see picture).
As usual, both devices can be loaded with eBooks using Calibre, but unfortunately, you have to do without a collection management feature in the popular tool in both cases.
Identical home screens, one with and one without book recommendations
Operation and Basic Functions
The operation of both devices is similarly fast, meaning you don’t have to deal with waiting times or delays when making inputs. This is thanks to the now often-used Freescale iMX 6 chip which clocks at 1 GHz. The Voyage has also doubled the memory, now at 512 MB compared to 256 MB in the Paperwhite. However, this difference is not particularly noticeable in practice.
Both devices are primarily operated via the touchscreen. The Kindle Paperwhite has a minimally recessed screen in its housing, while the front of the Voyage is flat. Capacitive touchscreen technology is used in both cases. The responsiveness of both eBook readers is similarly good and leaves nothing to be desired.
In addition to the touchscreen, the Kindle Voyage also incorporates page-turning buttons, as mentioned earlier. However, these aren’t the usual buttons we’re familiar with from most other devices (at least those that still have page-turning buttons); they are pressure-sensitive sensors. These are invisibly embedded in the housing and allow for intuitive page-turning despite the construction. In practical everyday use, it works like this: you can let your finger rest on the marked areas and then just gently press on the housing when you want to turn a page. It works flawlessly and without error. This gives the Voyage a nice comfort bonus compared to the Kindle Paperwhite, where you turn pages solely via the touchscreen (swipe or tap). Of course, you can also use the touchscreen for turning pages on the Voyage.
Typography options
The typography options are unsurprisingly identical. That is, there are 7 font sizes, 6 fonts, and three settings each for margin and line-spacing adjustment. The biggest criticism remains the lack of hyphenation.
There’s also no difference when it comes to eBook purchasing: both devices allow direct shopping through the integrated store, though you must either be connected to a local wireless network (WiFi) or have the 3G model. The 3G model costs 60 euros more in both cases (i.e., 159 euros for the Paperwhite, 249 euros for the Voyage) and allows eBook purchases even when not connected to local networks and abroad – all without additional costs or mobile contracts. You simply pay the one-time surcharge at purchase.
It’s important to note that a Kindle eBook reader primarily wants to be loaded with eBooks from Amazon, meaning that the typical ePub format with Adobe DRM, used by most other shops, cannot be used on the two devices (without conversion).
Advanced Functions
The advanced functions are also identical:
The note-taking function can be accessed on both by holding a finger briefly on a word (or dragging the finger over a text area). Created notes can be further processed on a PC using a simple to copy TXT file and can be used beyond the eBook reader.
The dictionary can be accessed in the same way, with a small window showing the word definition or translation. The Duden is used as the German dictionary, and there is an option for expansion. Additionally, words can also be looked up on Wikipedia with an existing WiFi connection (or 3G). The dictionary function of the Kindle models is among the best on the market.
Identical dictionary function with Wikipedia
The internet browser available in both models also works well, allowing bookmarks to be made and a special article mode to be used for reading longer internet articles comfortably on the E-Ink display. Moreover, there’s an added value over Amazon’s competition with a vocabulary builder and parental controls.
Hardware
When it comes to hardware, there are once again bigger differences: the Kindle Paperwhite is slightly larger and noticeably heavier (206 grams versus 180 grams), meaning the Voyage (thanks to its magnesium housing) is ultimately a bit more comfortable to handle. However, this advantage is relatively small since the Paperwhite also fits very well in the hand and is ergonomically designed.
The build quality of both models is impeccable, which is particularly significant for the Kindle Voyage due to its flat housing front. With other manufacturers, there’s occasionally cause for complaint here.
The usable internal storage of the Voyage is 3.04 GB, while the Paperwhite’s is slightly larger at 3.13 GB. It’s important to mention that Amazon quietly upgraded the Kindle Paperwhite a few months ago, doubling the storage space. The current model generation is now sold with the mentioned storage size (unless Amazon changes it again). Storage is not expandable in either case, but purchased eBooks are saved directly to the cloud and can be downloaded anytime as needed.
Screen
The biggest differences between the Kindle Paperwhite and Voyage are, of course, the displays. As already mentioned, the Kindle Voyage features a 6-inch E-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1440×1080 pixels, resulting in an extremely high pixel density of 300 ppi. The Paperwhite uses the same technology, but the screen “only” has a resolution of 1024×758 pixels, which is the market standard. In other words, the Voyage’s screen is sharper.
This advantage is not just theoretical but also noticeable in practice, where the new high-end model outshines the two eBook readers when compared directly. Particularly with small fonts and display elements, the difference is pronounced. However, the Kindle Paperwhite also holds its own since the text sharpness is more than good enough for comfortable reading. The lower resolution is only noticeable in direct comparison, but on its own, it’s not an issue at all.
The same goes for contrast: the Voyage offers a better maximum contrast ratio thanks to higher adjustable lighting, which is only noticeable in direct comparison since the Paperwhite is perfectly readable on its own and was long considered the benchmark in the eBook reader market. The excellent readability thanks to the high contrast ratio remains unchanged. With the same brightness setting, there’s no noticeable contrast difference.
Both offer excellent contrast values
One advantage of the Voyage is the automatic brightness adjustment. Thanks to a built-in light sensor, the integrated lighting can automatically adjust to the environment, allowing you to fully focus on reading without having to choose the light intensity (which is still possible if needed).
Price-Performance Ratio
While previous comparisons often resulted in a neck-and-neck race regarding price-performance ratio, the Kindle comparison is clearer. The Paperwhite, at just 99 euros, is currently probably the hottest eBook reader on the market, offering excellent value for the price.
The Kindle Voyage introduces a few welcome innovations compared to its sibling model – the high-resolution screen, automatic brightness adjustment, and page-turn buttons offer great added value. However, the gradient issue presents a considerable disadvantage (if your device is affected), which shouldn’t be overlooked when evaluating the device. For a price of 189 euros, you’d expect at least as good a performance as the almost half-priced Kindle Paperwhite. Since this is at least occasionally not the case, the Voyage’s price-performance ratio can’t keep up with that of the Paperwhite.
Conclusion
Both Kindle models deliver a good performance, with the (in this case identical) software being a benchmark for many manufacturers due to its particularly easy handling, well-functioning features (dictionaries, notes, eBook buying), and practical bonuses (parental controls, vocabulary builder), despite a few shortcomings (e.g., lack of hyphenation).
However, in terms of hardware, both devices continue to set the standard: While the Paperwhite has been on the market for over a year, it still impresses with one of the best E-Ink displays and excellent lighting.
The cheaper model emerges as the winner of the comparison
Ultimately, it appears that you can’t go wrong with either eReader, and it’s really just the price that makes the difference.
