Tolino Shine vs. Kindle Paperwhite: 2013’s Epic eReader Showdown and Which Device Wins in 2023

It was arguably the most significant duel of the eBook year 2013: Kindle Paperwhite vs. Tolino Shine. Amazon’s eBook reader scored last year with the new, then-exclusive Carta technology, which quickly made it a favorite among many digital reading enthusiasts. Besides the closed system, the device had another disadvantage compared to the then-new Tolino Shine: the price was significantly higher at 129 euros (30 euros more).

With the Shine, the Tolino alliance began its campaign to catch up in the German eBook reader market. To achieve this, the price was initially set at 99 euros, so the cost savings compared to the main competitor provided enough incentive for many interested parties to buy the reading device from local retailers. The Tolino Shine managed to gain a market share of around 12 percent in about a year, putting it directly in second place behind the longer-sold Kindle devices and ahead of many competitors (Sony, Kobo, PocketBook).

Even this year, the two models are in competition, but with changed positions. Whether the Shine still has what it takes to outshine the Paperwhite and which device is the better choice is shown in the following comparison.

Software

The comparison of the home screens corresponds to that of the Paperwhite and Vision 2. The Tolino devices use the same interface, so there are no differences with the Shine. In practice, this means that the Kindle Paperwhite and Tolino Shine home screens are initially quite similar. In both cases, book covers are displayed, along with eBook recommendations from the connected store. Thankfully, you can hide these on the Kindle, but the Tolino alliance unfortunately still doesn’t offer this option.

Unlike the Shine, the Paperwhite does not have its own library view. Instead, the home screen on the Amazon device functions as such, which has advantages and disadvantages but ultimately is probably a matter of taste. On both devices, the collection functions cannot be used with the universally popular eBook management software Calibre. However, eBooks can still be copied to the eReaders using Calibre.

Home screens compared, Tolino Shine (left) and Kindle Paperwhite (right)

The biggest advantage of the Tolino Shine is the often-advertised openness. With the bookstore partners’ device, you can use basically any shop (offering the ePub format) except for Amazon, whereas the Paperwhite is more or less limited to Amazon’s offerings. Ultimately, this doesn’t make a big difference in terms of range, price, and use, but it does tie you more closely to one provider, which can be disadvantageous when switching devices, for example.

Usability and Basic Functions

Both models offer very fast usability. Although the Tolino Shine has a somewhat slower processor (i.MX 5 with 800 MHz), in practical everyday use it is not slower than the Paperwhite (i.MX 6 with 1 GHz). The Tolino Shine is operated via an infrared touchscreen, whose sensitivity (as expected from the technology) is excellent. On the other hand, the Kindle Paperwhite features a capacitive touchscreen – also with excellent responsiveness. Page turns on both eReaders are exclusively via the touch-sensitive screen (swipe or tap).

The text display options are quite similar. It seems the Tolino creators have taken a little inspiration from the Kindle software. Besides the possible selection of five or six fonts, the font size can be adjusted in seven steps, as well as line and margin spacing in three steps. Additionally, on the Shine, you can also choose text alignment (justified, left-aligned, centered). Moreover, the Tolino eBook Reader supports hyphenation, a feature the Kindle Paperwhite still does not offer despite frequent customer requests (in German-speaking countries).

Text display adjustment

Buying eBooks is similarly straightforward on both devices, but Amazon handles it a bit better due to the lack of Adobe DRM support, in terms of ease of use. As a result, you don’t have to register (once) with two different providers.

Advanced Functions

Both Kindle Paperwhite and Tolino Shine offer dictionary and note-taking functions.

The dictionary function is better implemented on the Kindle: The word definition or translation opens in a small window, making it visible directly in the text context (see the following image). Furthermore, the Duden is used as the German dictionary, with the possibility of expansion. With an active Wi-Fi (or 3G) connection, you can also look up words in Wikipedia and use an online translation function from Microsoft Bing.

On the Tolino Shine, the dictionary function only opens with another click, in a new, full-screen window. Currently, the free Wiktionary is used as the source, which cannot match the quality of editorially maintained dictionaries. However, it has the advantage of offering numerous pre-installed dictionaries from and into German.

The Paperwhite (right) offers more options to look up a word

The note-taking function is accessed the same way on both devices (you hold your finger on a word to add a note). On both devices, the created notes are saved in an easily copyable TXT file, making external further processing simple later on.

Aside from that, both models offer an internet browser, which is still useful for quick look-ups despite the E-Ink display. However, the Amazon eBook Reader has more features (bookmarks and article mode), while the browser on the Shine is relatively limited (no bookmarks and no customizable homepage). In addition, the Kindle Paperwhite offers a vocabulary builder and parental controls, two functions not found on the Shine.

Hardware

The two eBook readers are similar in size (the Shine is slightly taller), but present themselves very differently otherwise. The design of the Tolino Shine is particularly noticeable, with the brown color of the casing making it stand out from the mass of eReaders. Many criticize the conventional design of the device, but even if you don’t like it, you have to acknowledge that the workmanship is impeccable and the feel is very pleasant thanks to the rounded edges. The relatively large grip surface under the display also ensures the device fits perfectly in your hand.

In contrast, the Kindle Paperwhite looks like most other eReaders: black. This makes the appearance more neutral and less conspicuous, but also somewhat more appealing. There are also no complaints about the workmanship, and the Amazon eBook Reader is also appealing in terms of feel.

Apart from the different design, the lower weight of the Shine is also noticeable. It weighs only 183 grams, while the Paperwhite weighs slightly more at 206 grams.

Since the secret facelift, the Paperwhite offers 3.13 GB of space (not expandable), while the Tolino Shine has only 2.09 GB (expandable with a MicroSD card). Wi-Fi is available on both models as a wireless connection option. The Kindle also offers optional 3G support. For an extra charge of 60 euros, you can shop in the integrated store virtually anywhere (even abroad) without additional costs. This connection option is particularly practical for people who don’t have internet or Wi-Fi at home.

Screen

The biggest differences are seen in the screens. Although both models offer the same resolution of 1024×758 pixels, they use different generations of E-Ink technology. While the Tolino Shine uses E-Ink Pearl, the Paperwhite employs the newer Carta technology.

This makes a difference even without the lighting activated, as the Kindle’s display is brighter and higher in contrast in most lighting situations, making it easier to read. Of course, the Tolino Shine is also easy to read, as E-Ink Pearl is still a good technology. However, in a direct comparison, the Tolino eReader falls short.

The Amazon eReader has the better contrast

The difference becomes particularly noticeable when the lighting is activated. The illumination of the Kindle Paperwhite is among the best on the market, meaning the light is evenly distributed across the screen and can convince with a pleasant white-yellowish hue. The contrast increase is also clearly visible with the lighting activated.

Thanks to the integrated light, the Tolino Shine can also be read in the dark, but the light distribution is not as even as with the Paperwhite, and the contrast also falls short of the competitor.

Price-Performance Ratio

The two eBook readers no longer really belong to the same price segment. Although the Kindle Paperwhite now costs only 99 euros, the price of the Tolino Shine has also been reduced. You can get the eReader from the Tolino alliance starting at 60 euros with various voucher promotions. Typically, however, around 90 euros are due.

What is certain is that the Paperwhite for just 99 euros (instead of the original 129 euros) is a real bargain. Although the device has been on the market for over a year, it remains one of the best 6-inch devices (hence it also tops our rating list). The well-functioning software features in combination with the excellent display make the device a no-brainer.

With the recent price promotions, the Tolino Shine remains a good choice. With the now regular price of around 90 euros, the device cannot compete with the Kindle in terms of price-performance ratio, but if you consider the various voucher and bundle promotions, the Shine purchase is also a good choice.

Conclusion

As in the previous year, the two eBook readers are once again going head to head this year. This year, however, Amazon probably has the better cards with the competitive price of 99 euros for the Paperwhite, as the eBook reader can convince in many important areas and is below the magic 100 euro threshold that gave the Tolino Shine wings last year. Ultimately, the Paperwhite wins the direct comparison as well.

The Tolino Shine is cheaper, but the Kindle Paperwhite is, on balance, the better device despite the closed ecosystem

This certainly doesn’t make the Shine a bad device: The eReader continues to be very popular and can also score with simple and accessible usability. Particularly the various price promotions make buying the device a good choice for gifting or as an entry into digital reading (especially if you don’t want to be too closely tied to one provider).

If the slight premium for the Paperwhite doesn’t matter and you don’t mind purchasing your eBooks from Amazon in the future, then the Kindle eReader is the better choice.