RAM Costs Push Amazon Kindle Prices Higher, Sparking Outrage

Amazon has raised prices across its gadget lineup amid a RAM-cost surge dubbed the “RAMpocalypse,” with the Kindle family leading the hike: Kindle (16GB) from $110 to $150, Kindle Kids (16GB) from $130 to $180, Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) from $160 to $200, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) from $200 to $250, and Kindle Colorsoft from $250 to $290. Kindle Scribe and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft keep their starting prices at $400 and $680, respectively. Other devices also see increases, including Echo devices (e.g., Echo Show 21 from $400 to $500) and Fire TV Sticks (4K Max from $60 to $85). Amazon says memory/storage costs drove the hikes, while critics call it price gouging and warn that older Kindles may be sunset or bricked to push upgrades.