Amazon Introduces a More Affordable Kindle Colorsoft with Half the Storage
Amazon made waves last year with the launch of its first-ever color Kindle, the Kindle Colorsoft. While the device impressed with its vibrant display, its high price tag made it inaccessible for many. Now, Amazon has addressed this with a slightly cheaper version, priced at $250—$30 less than the original model. However, this lower cost comes with a few compromises.
The new Kindle Colorsoft offers 16GB of storage, half that of the more expensive Signature Edition. For most readers, this should be sufficient, as ebooks typically take up minimal space—around 2MB per title. However, those who enjoy digital comics or graphic novels, which benefit most from the color display, may find storage limitations more noticeable. Still, filling 16GB would require an extensive library.
Beyond storage, the cheaper model also omits some premium features found in the Signature Edition, such as auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging. Otherwise, it retains the same core experience: a 7-inch color E Ink display, up to eight weeks of battery life, pinch-to-zoom functionality, and an adjustable warm light. Amazon has also resolved the yellow-band issue that affected early units.
For younger readers, Amazon has introduced the Kindle Colorsoft Kids edition. Priced at $270, it includes an illustrated cover, one year of Amazon Kids+, and a two-year guarantee. It also features child-friendly tools like Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise to aid learning, along with OpenDyslexic font support and Bluetooth for audiobooks. Parents can monitor reading habits via the Amazon Parent Dashboard.
The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is available now for $250 and includes three months of Kindle Unlimited. The Kids edition costs $270, while the Signature Edition remains at $280. While the new model isn’t a massive price drop, it offers a more accessible entry point for those eager to experience Amazon’s first color e-reader.
