Review of Kindle Paperwhite (12th Generation)

The Kindle Paperwhite strikes a good balance for people who want something better than the base model Kindle but don't need the note-taking features of the Kindle Scribe.

Amazon has made minor but notable upgrades with the release of the 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite. The primary improvements include a slight screen size increase from 6.8 inches to 7 inches, an enhanced contrast ratio, and faster page turn and performance. While these refinements are welcome, they may not be compelling enough for those already using the previous generation to justify an upgrade.

Small Screen Size Increase

The Kindle Paperwhite (12th generation) now features a 7-inch display and measures 7 x 5 x 0.3 inches (HWD), weighing 211 grams—slightly heavier than its predecessor, which weighed 205 grams. While the 11th generation saw a significant jump in screen size from 6 inches to 6.8 inches, the 12th generation’s 0.2-inch increase feels marginal. Introducing physical buttons like those on the now-discontinued Kindle Oasis might have made for a more substantial upgrade.

Like its predecessor, the front lighting is evenly distributed across the screen, with only slight shadowing at the edges. While it lacks auto-brightness (a feature found on the more expensive Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition), you can schedule the warm lighting to activate at specific times. Additionally, there's an option to adjust the intensity of the warm light when it turns on.

Amazon claims that the Kindle Paperwhite offers a 20% performance boost and 25% faster page turns, improvements that are especially noticeable when navigating menus, where the increased speed is evident.

Battery life continues to be a significant advantage of Kindles, a feature also seen in Kobo and other non-Android e-readers. Purpose-built e-reader software is generally more power-efficient than Android-based alternatives, allowing Kindles to last at least a week under regular use, whereas Android e-readers often require charging after just a few days.

The previous generation, Kindle Paperwhite, came in 8GB and 16GB versions. The 12th generation only comes in 16GB, which is sufficient for e-books, PDFs, and audiobooks. There is also Bluetooth support for connecting headphones and speakers.

Improved Contrast Ratio

E Ink frequently touts its Carta display technology advancements, with each iteration promising better contrast. However, the difference between Carta 1200 and 1300 is minimal in real-world usage. Amazon’s engineering enhancements to the display stack, specifically incorporating an oxide thin-film transistor, contribute to improved contrast and faster page turns. Amazon describes it as follows:

The display uses an oxide thin-film transistor, which gives it the highest contrast ratio of any Kindle, making text and images pop off the screen. A larger, 7-inch display is a first for Kindle Paperwhite—yet, it is also the thinnest Paperwhite ever. With up to three months of battery life, you can take it anywhere.

The improved contrast is evident, with text appearing darker and more distinct. While both the Kobo Clara BW and Kindle Paperwhite use Carta 1300, the Paperwhite demonstrates superior contrast, reinforcing the importance of display engineering in the appearance of text and images.

Software Overview

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and Kindle Scribe come without lock screen ads. Meanwhile, the standard Kindle Paperwhite (including the Kids Edition) and Kindle Basic are available with or without ads, with the ad-free version costing an additional £10/€10. Lock screen ads, though not intrusive, add an extra swipe before unlocking the device. Kindle users must pay a one-time fee to remove them, whereas Kobo does not sell ad-supported models.

Over the years, Amazon has refined its Kindle software, making it user-friendly and feature-rich. Its key strengths include ease of use, advanced syncing, and kid-friendly features. Amazon’s WhisperSync technology extends synchronisation to personal documents transferred wirelessly to a Kindle, which is particularly useful.

For parents, Kindle’s kid-focused features are a valuable tool for encouraging reading, offering parental controls, and integrating with Amazon’s kids' subscription service. This subscription provides access to age-appropriate books, audiobooks, and educational apps. Kobo lacks a dedicated equivalent, although kid-friendly content is available through its Kobo Plus subscription.

Despite its strengths, the Kindle software has some limitations. Reading customisation options remain more restricted than Kobo’s, particularly in font size selection, where the gap between size increments is too large. Line spacing and margin adjustment options are similarly limited.

The e-book reading settings could offer more customisation. While there are fourteen font size options, the gaps between them are too large. Additionally, there is no adjustable scale for margin or alignment settings, limiting user control.

PDF support is another area where Kindle lags. While it outperforms Kobo in this regard—allowing highlights and annotations in PDF documents—its settings are still restrictive. Users can adjust margins, contrast levels, and pinch-to-zoom, but performance is sluggish with large PDFs due to processing limitations. Those requiring advanced PDF functionality would be better served by an Onyx BOOX e-reader, which runs on Android and offers greater flexibility.

The Paperwhite’s PDF reading options are limited, offering only three margin settings and four contrast levels. Pinch-to-zoom is sluggish, and while double-tapping provides an alternative zoom method, the zoom level cannot be locked when turning pages. Before advancing to the next page, the reader must first tap to zoom out, adding an extra step to navigation.

Another notable drawback is the Kindle’s lack of public library borrowing support outside the United States. In contrast, Kobo offers broader access to OverDrive, allowing users in more countries to borrow e-books directly from public libraries. Additionally, Kindle lacks third-party integration for services like Pocket, which Kobo supports.

Verdict: The Kindle Paperwhite Remains the Best Choice for Most Users

For those who do not require the note-taking capabilities of the Kindle Scribe, the 12th-generation Paperwhite remains the best Kindle for most users. Its high contrast ratio also makes it an excellent choice for those who are not tied to a specific e-reader ecosystem.

However, competition may intensify if Kobo releases a black-and-white version of the Kobo Libra Colour, given that many readers prefer its physical buttons and ergonomic design.

The Kindle Paperwhite’s meaningful upgrades—such as a slightly larger screen, improved performance, and enhanced contrast—complement its retained features, including even front lighting, waterproofing, and an intuitive user interface. The primary downside remains the restricted reading settings, which Onyx BOOX e-readers address with more customization options. Yet, the trade-off for Android-based e-readers is a significantly shorter battery life—an area where both Kindle and Kobo excel.