Amazon's 20th Anniversary Kindle Refresh Adds Remote Control and New Colors

Key points

• The new lineup includes the base Kindle, Paperwhite, Colorsoft, and kid-friendly versions, all featuring thinner, lighter designs and flush-front displays.
• New color options include 'ube,' 'alpine sky,' and 'seaglass green,' with optional aluminum housings now available for the base model.
• The Kindle Click, a $34.99 Bluetooth remote with haptic buttons, is the first official remote for the e-reader, designed for hands-free reading.
• A $79.99 Page Turn Cover reintroduces physical page-turn buttons for the Paperwhite and Colorsoft Signature Editions, a feature discontinued with the Kindle Oasis in 2024.
• Most new devices and accessories are available for preorder now but will not ship until October 28, with the base Kindle available immediately at Amazon and Best Buy.

Background

This launch follows a recent price hike of $30 to $50 for Kindle devices in August, attributed to global memory shortages. The new models maintain these higher prices while introducing significant design updates. Amazon's devices have seen three consecutive years of double-digit growth, reaching their highest sales point in over a decade last year, according to Amazon VP of devices Kevin Keith.

How outlets are covering it

Mashable emphasizes the immediate availability of the base model and the variety of new accessories, including a charging stand and sling bag. GeekWire highlights the strategic move to introduce a remote control, noting that Amazon cited BookTok trends as inspiration for the Kindle Click. Both outlets agree that the new designs feature flush displays and new colors, but GeekWire provides additional insight into Amazon's future design goals, with VP of industrial design Chris Green expressing interest in developing flexible, credit-card-sized displays in the future.

Why it matters

The launch of the Kindle Click and the reintroduction of physical page-turn buttons address long-standing consumer requests for more tactile and hands-free reading experiences. By maintaining prices despite global memory shortages, Amazon aims to retain market share in the e-reader segment while capitalizing on the device's recent sales growth. The new designs and accessories also signal Amazon's commitment to modernizing its hardware lineup to compete with other digital reading platforms.

What to watch

Consumers can preorder the new Paperwhite, Colorsoft, and accessories now, with shipments expected on October 28. Amazon has not yet announced a release date for the charging stand but will notify interested shoppers via email. The company may also introduce deals on the new devices during its upcoming Prime Big Deal Days sale.