Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16 GB (newest model) – With color display that brings covers and content to life, now highlight in color – No Ads – Black
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Description
- Read in color – The new 7" Colorsoft display is high-contrast and easy on the eyes, with paper-like color that brings covers and content to life. - A brand-new experience – The Kindle Colorsoft display is optimized for reading in color and is different from the Kindle Paperwhite display, which is optimized for black and white reading. - Color your pages – Highlight your favorite scenes in yellow, orange, blue, and pink. - Marathon reading – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 8 weeks. - Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark. - Waterproof and worry-free – Take your stories by the pool, in the bath, or anywhere in between. - Massive selection – Instantly access over 15 million titles in the Kindle Store worldwide, and add a Kindle Unlimited subscription for all-you-can read access to a catalog including best sellers. - Try the Page Color feature to invert the black text and white background of pages inside books. While different than Dark Mode, it enables comfortable reading while still displaying colorful images and covers.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Kindle Colorsoft have a color display?
- Yes, it has a new 7" Colorsoft display that is high-contrast and brings covers and content to life in color.
- How long does the battery last on a single charge?
- A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 8 weeks.
- Is the Kindle Colorsoft waterproof?
- Yes, it is waterproof and worry-free, so you can take it by the pool, in the bath, or anywhere in between.
Customer reviews
I absolutely love my Colorosft!
I have been using the Kindle since the Kindle Keyboard in 2010, and since then, I have read on a Kindle Voyage, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Scribe. I have always dreamed of a Kindle with a color e-Ink display to read graphic novels and other picture books, so when the Kindle Colorsoft was announced I have been hesitant about getting the Kindle Colorsoft based on a number of reviews that I have seen. It is the first iteration of a color screen on a Kindle, and I am very happy with my Kindle Paperwhite, so I figured I could wait until future generations. However, the Colorsoft was on sale and at a price point that I was comfortable with, so I decided to take the plunge, and I could not be happier that I did. First, I will note that my Colorsoft does not have any of the yellow band issues that other users have experienced. I think Amazon must have fixed that issue, or else I got lucky, but there isn't even a hint of discoloring on the screen, so that's a big win. Second, I was prepared, based on a lot of reviews, for the text to be a lot duller and harder to read than on the Paperwhite. Side-by-side, yes, the Paperwhite is sharper and the contrast is higher, but unless you are looking at them next to each other, the contrast on the Colorsoft is not bad at all. It is easy to use as my primary reader without feeling like I need to go back to the Paperwhite for a better reading experience. As you can see from the zoomed in photos of the text, the ink on the Paperwhite is more on the surface (even the texture looks more like paper) and the ink on the Colorsoft is behind a layer of diagonal stripes with RGB dots that fill the color. It's a very clever design and is very effective for color, but it does take away from the crispness of the text that you can get from the Paperwhite. The black is truer black on the Paperwhite and the white (really more of a off-white or gray) is truer white than on the Colorosoft, but again, unless you are looking at them side-by-side, it isn't super easy to notice the difference. The front light is brighter on the Paperwhite than it is on the Colorosft, but the reality is that I never read at full-brightness anyway. I tend to keep the brightness at a level 10 on the Paperwhite and around a level 16 on the Colorsoft, so I would say there is roughly a 5-point difference between the two. For someone who keeps their Paperwhite at full brightness, this might be noticeable, but for most who keep it at a mid-range, then it really doesn't have an effect. One thing that the photos here don't show well is that the Paperwhite has a bit more of an orangish tone (even when the warm light is turned all the way down) and the Colorsoft has more of a bluish hue, which feels a bit more natural to me. Both are perfectly fine to read on, and I would have never noticed if they hadn't been side-by-side. Where the Colorsoft really shines is the color, of course. I've seen a number of people say they don't read comics or picture books, so the reason for having the Colorsoft is to see color covers. That to me is not a good enough reason to justify the price difference. However, for me, having the Colorsoft for reading comics, graphic novels, and full-color pages is an absolute game-changer. I've tried reading graphic novels on my phone or an iPad, and I find the experience to be very distracting and somewhat uncomfortable. This is a real dream to read on. The colors are, of course, a bit muted compared with a LED screen. As you can see from the zoomed in photos, the colors are not the same definition as the black bubbles, but this ends up giving it a feel similar to old newsprint, which I think actually enhances the experience. There is sort of a sweet spot with the light adjustment to make the page bright enough and the whites white enough without washing out the black. For me, it's about a level 16 with the warmth turned up to around 5. This is actually an argument for the basic model of the Colorsoft rather than the Signature Edition, because I don't actually think a self-adjusting light would be beneficial in this case. Once again, there is a sharpness lost on the Colorosft that you get, even in comics, from the Paperwhite. But, honestly, it's not even close to enough of a difference to make an issue for me. The color experience is so enjoyable that the slight loss in definition does not impact my enjoyment of it at all. I know that some have commented that the screen is too small for comics or graphic novels, but depending on the book, the panel view is excellent and, in my opinion, even a bit preferred. For example, I'm reading Watchmen for the first time on the Colorsoft. I sort of like the panel-by-panel view because, even on a single page, I can mostly avoid micro spoilers for what is about to happen. You still get to see a preview of the whole page whenever you turn to a new page, but zooming in to each panel is a very good way to read comics in my opinion. For some, this might take away from the experience. For me, it's even better. Overall, I am so happy with the Colorsoft. I'm sure that there will be improvements to the screen in future versions, and if yuou are the kind of person who prefers to see the whole page of a comic at once, then the Colorsoft Scribe might be the best option for you. But, if you are choosing between the Paperwhite and the Colorsoft, and the price difference is a factor, or you know that you will only read books and not read comics, graphic novels, or picture books, then the Paperwhite is a truly exceptional e-reader. But, if the price difference isn't a huge factor for you, or if you know that you will be reading comics, then I would say without any hesitation, the Colorsoft is an exceptional option.
I have been using the Kindle since the Kindle Keyboard in 2010, and since then, I have read on a Kindle Voyage, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Scribe. I have always dreamed of a Kindle with a color e-Ink display to read graphic novels and other picture books, so when the Kindle Colorsoft was announced I have been hesitant about getting the Kindle Colorsoft based on a number of reviews that I have seen. It is the first iteration of a color screen on a Kindle, and I am very happy with my Kindle Paperwhite, so I figured I could wait until future generations. However, the Colorsoft was on sale and at a price point that I was comfortable with, so I decided to take the plunge, and I could not be happier that I did. First, I will note that my Colorsoft does not have any of the yellow band issues that other users have experienced. I think Amazon must have fixed that issue, or else I got lucky, but there isn't even a hint of discoloring on the screen, so that's a big win. Second, I was prepared, based on a lot of reviews, for the text to be a lot duller and harder to read than on the Paperwhite. Side-by-side, yes, the Paperwhite is sharper and the contrast is higher, but unless you are looking at them next to each other, the contrast on the Colorsoft is not bad at all. It is easy to use as my primary reader without feeling like I need to go back to the Paperwhite for a better reading experience. As you can see from the zoomed in photos of the text, the ink on the Paperwhite is more on the surface (even the texture looks more like paper) and the ink on the Colorsoft is behind a layer of diagonal stripes with RGB dots that fill the color. It's a very clever design and is very effective for color, but it does take away from the crispness of the text that you can get from the Paperwhite. The black is truer black on the Paperwhite and the white (really more of a off-white or gray) is truer white than on the Colorosoft, but again, unless you are looking at them side-by-side, it isn't super easy to notice the difference. The front light is brighter on the Paperwhite than it is on the Colorosft, but the reality is that I never read at full-brightness anyway. I tend to keep the brightness at a level 10 on the Paperwhite and around a level 16 on the Colorsoft, so I would say there is roughly a 5-point difference between the two. For someone who keeps their Paperwhite at full brightness, this might be noticeable, but for most who keep it at a mid-range, then it really doesn't have an effect. One thing that the photos here don't show well is that the Paperwhite has a bit more of an orangish tone (even when the warm light is turned all the way down) and the Colorsoft has more of a bluish hue, which feels a bit more natural to me. Both are perfectly fine to read on, and I would have never noticed if they hadn't been side-by-side. Where the Colorsoft really shines is the color, of course. I've seen a number of people say they don't read comics or picture books, so the reason for having the Colorsoft is to see color covers. That to me is not a good enough reason to justify the price difference. However, for me, having the Colorsoft for reading comics, graphic novels, and full-color pages is an absolute game-changer. I've tried reading graphic novels on my phone or an iPad, and I find the experience to be very distracting and somewhat uncomfortable. This is a real dream to read on. The colors are, of course, a bit muted compared with a LED screen. As you can see from the zoomed in photos, the colors are not the same definition as the black bubbles, but this ends up giving it a feel similar to old newsprint, which I think actually enhances the experience. There is sort of a sweet spot with the light adjustment to make the page bright enough and the whites white enough without washing out the black. For me, it's about a level 16 with the warmth turned up to around 5. This is actually an argument for the basic model of the Colorsoft rather than the Signature Edition, because I don't actually think a self-adjusting light would be beneficial in this case. Once again, there is a sharpness lost on the Colorosft that you get, even in comics, from the Paperwhite. But, honestly, it's not even close to enough of a difference to make an issue for me. The color experience is so enjoyable that the slight loss in definition does not impact my enjoyment of it at all. I know that some have commented that the screen is too small for comics or graphic novels, but depending on the book, the panel view is excellent and, in my opinion, even a bit preferred. For example, I'm reading Watchmen for the first time on the Colorsoft. I sort of like the panel-by-panel view because, even on a single page, I can mostly avoid micro spoilers for what is about to happen. You still get to see a preview of the whole page whenever you turn to a new page, but zooming in to each panel is a very good way to read comics in my opinion. For some, this might take away from the experience. For me, it's even better. Overall, I am so happy with the Colorsoft. I'm sure that there will be improvements to the screen in future versions, and if yuou are the kind of person who prefers to see the whole page of a comic at once, then the Colorsoft Scribe might be the best option for you. But, if you are choosing between the Paperwhite and the Colorsoft, and the price difference is a factor, or you know that you will only read books and not read comics, graphic novels, or picture books, then the Paperwhite is a truly exceptional e-reader. But, if the price difference isn't a huge factor for you, or if you know that you will be reading comics, then I would say without any hesitation, the Colorsoft is an exceptional option.
The Kindle That Finally Feels Like the Future - Without Trying Too Hard
I’ve owned multiple Kindles over the years, and while I’ve always loved the distraction-free reading experience, one thing was missing: color done right. After using the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16 GB (newest model), I can confidently say this is not just a small upgrade — it genuinely changes how certain types of content feel on a Kindle, while still keeping everything people love about the classic experience. This model is especially impressive because it doesn’t try to become a tablet. It remains a true Kindle: light, comfortable, easy on the eyes, and built for long reading sessions. The difference is that now, covers, highlights, and color-based content look the way they were meant to. ⸻ ✅ Pros 1) Color actually adds value (and doesn’t feel gimmicky) This is the biggest surprise. Color isn’t just for “wow” factor — it improves reading quality in a very practical way: • book covers feel alive again • highlights are clearer and more organized • graphs, charts, and visual content are easier to interpret • kids books and illustrated content become way more enjoyable 2) The adjustable warm light is perfect for night reading If you read at night, you’ll love this. The warm light makes the screen feel softer and reduces that harsh “white light” feeling. It creates a cozy, paper-like vibe that makes it easy to keep reading longer than planned. 3) The Kindle experience remains undefeated Even with color, it still delivers what makes a Kindle great: • no distractions • no notifications • no eye fatigue like LCD screens • feels focused, intentional, and “quiet” 4) Super portable and comfortable It’s lightweight, easy to hold for long sessions, and still has that Kindle “pick-up-and-read-anywhere” magic — bed, couch, commute, travel. 5) No Ads version feels premium This is underrated. When you pick it up, it’s instantly “your library” — not a billboard. It makes the device feel more personal and high-end. ⸻ ⚠️ Cons 1) It’s not meant to replace a tablet If you’re expecting iPad-level color saturation for magazines or heavy image content, this isn’t that. It’s Kindle color — designed to enhance reading, not compete with tablets. 2) 16 GB can feel limited for heavy graphic readers For novels, it’s plenty. But if you load a lot of: • comics • graphic novels • large PDFs …you may end up managing storage more than you’d like. 3) Some content formats still feel “Kindle-ish” PDFs and complex formatting are always hit-or-miss depending on layout. This model improves readability, but the Kindle ecosystem still favors Kindle-optimized books over PDFs. ⸻ Wrap Up: Who Should Buy the Kindle Colorsoft? The Kindle Colorsoft is for readers who want the best Kindle experience, but more modern and visually satisfying. It keeps everything that makes Kindles special — comfort, readability, battery life, focus — while adding meaningful color that enhances the reading experience without turning it into another distracting screen. If you mostly read novels, you’ll enjoy it. But if you read anything that benefits from color — highlighted notes, educational content, visual books, kids books, comics — this becomes a Kindle that feels like a real evolution, not just another refresh. Overall: a premium Kindle that feels thoughtfully designed for people who actually read.
I’ve owned multiple Kindles over the years, and while I’ve always loved the distraction-free reading experience, one thing was missing: color done right. After using the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16 GB (newest model), I can confidently say this is not just a small upgrade — it genuinely changes how certain types of content feel on a Kindle, while still keeping everything people love about the classic experience. This model is especially impressive because it doesn’t try to become a tablet. It remains a true Kindle: light, comfortable, easy on the eyes, and built for long reading sessions. The difference is that now, covers, highlights, and color-based content look the way they were meant to. ⸻ ✅ Pros 1) Color actually adds value (and doesn’t feel gimmicky) This is the biggest surprise. Color isn’t just for “wow” factor — it improves reading quality in a very practical way: • book covers feel alive again • highlights are clearer and more organized • graphs, charts, and visual content are easier to interpret • kids books and illustrated content become way more enjoyable 2) The adjustable warm light is perfect for night reading If you read at night, you’ll love this. The warm light makes the screen feel softer and reduces that harsh “white light” feeling. It creates a cozy, paper-like vibe that makes it easy to keep reading longer than planned. 3) The Kindle experience remains undefeated Even with color, it still delivers what makes a Kindle great: • no distractions • no notifications • no eye fatigue like LCD screens • feels focused, intentional, and “quiet” 4) Super portable and comfortable It’s lightweight, easy to hold for long sessions, and still has that Kindle “pick-up-and-read-anywhere” magic — bed, couch, commute, travel. 5) No Ads version feels premium This is underrated. When you pick it up, it’s instantly “your library” — not a billboard. It makes the device feel more personal and high-end. ⸻ ⚠️ Cons 1) It’s not meant to replace a tablet If you’re expecting iPad-level color saturation for magazines or heavy image content, this isn’t that. It’s Kindle color — designed to enhance reading, not compete with tablets. 2) 16 GB can feel limited for heavy graphic readers For novels, it’s plenty. But if you load a lot of: • comics • graphic novels • large PDFs …you may end up managing storage more than you’d like. 3) Some content formats still feel “Kindle-ish” PDFs and complex formatting are always hit-or-miss depending on layout. This model improves readability, but the Kindle ecosystem still favors Kindle-optimized books over PDFs. ⸻ Wrap Up: Who Should Buy the Kindle Colorsoft? The Kindle Colorsoft is for readers who want the best Kindle experience, but more modern and visually satisfying. It keeps everything that makes Kindles special — comfort, readability, battery life, focus — while adding meaningful color that enhances the reading experience without turning it into another distracting screen. If you mostly read novels, you’ll enjoy it. But if you read anything that benefits from color — highlighted notes, educational content, visual books, kids books, comics — this becomes a Kindle that feels like a real evolution, not just another refresh. Overall: a premium Kindle that feels thoughtfully designed for people who actually read.
glad I waited for Colorsoft
I've never owned a Kindle because I did not want to view books without color, and also because I can be skeptical and a little cautious when it comes to buying extra electronics that I don't strictly "need." I have used my Kindle books only on my iPad. Once I learned this Kindle Colorsoft exists, I had to try it, and I really like it a lot and am pleased that I have it. I did buy it during the Black Friday week sale though, which I would definitely advise since it seems Amazon devices reliably go on sale at that time every year. I bought this even though I was skeptical that I even needed it, because as I said -- I already own an iPad. But I admit that using the Kindle is better than using my Kindle app on my iPad. The movement of the pages is one at a time, which is great for focus. Did I need a Kindle to view my Kindle books -- technically no. But it is a nice luxury to have this. I like the size, which is more compact than my iPad, and great for when I want to have something to occupy me on the go, such as doctor office waiting rooms. The charge on this thing really does hold. I used it for a week, did not charge it for two weeks (or more?) and opened it -- 90% charge still. Amazing! Much better power usage than using my iPad, and even more easily portable than my iPad for reading books on the go while having a lot to choose from. I got the ad-free version, and I actually really like some of the designs they use as the "screen saver." They are pleasant and calm with nice coloring. I am glad I got the ad-free feature. The coloring of things on the Colorsoft is a sort of muted coloring, which at first was a little disappointing to me, but overall I think is actually kind of calming. The name of the device is probably a good clue to what you are getting here -- color, but soft color. It isn't a very vibrant coloring but once you adjust to that, it's actually nice and feels like it is part of the experience/aesthetic of using this device. The only thing that I wish is that it came with page turners. I purchased separately a page turner that lets me go forward and back with one clicker that is a ring I can wear, and that has been superb. I can use the Kindle when I am on my elliptical without having to touch the screen, or I can use it when relaxing in bed under covers without having to reach out at the screen. These are things I could not do with my iPad/Kindle app combo. I feel like it should come with this, but at least it is something that can be purchased for a reasonable price as an add-on. I also purchased separately a case/cover, and that completed my Kindle. I definitely am glad I finally got a Kindle, and that I was able to wait until the Colorsoft had become available. I have seen the black/white Kindle and did not like it, but instead I would recommend this Kindle Colorsoft if you are interested in using your Kindle books in a more portable way without having to view everything in strict black/white.
I've never owned a Kindle because I did not want to view books without color, and also because I can be skeptical and a little cautious when it comes to buying extra electronics that I don't strictly "need." I have used my Kindle books only on my iPad. Once I learned this Kindle Colorsoft exists, I had to try it, and I really like it a lot and am pleased that I have it. I did buy it during the Black Friday week sale though, which I would definitely advise since it seems Amazon devices reliably go on sale at that time every year. I bought this even though I was skeptical that I even needed it, because as I said -- I already own an iPad. But I admit that using the Kindle is better than using my Kindle app on my iPad. The movement of the pages is one at a time, which is great for focus. Did I need a Kindle to view my Kindle books -- technically no. But it is a nice luxury to have this. I like the size, which is more compact than my iPad, and great for when I want to have something to occupy me on the go, such as doctor office waiting rooms. The charge on this thing really does hold. I used it for a week, did not charge it for two weeks (or more?) and opened it -- 90% charge still. Amazing! Much better power usage than using my iPad, and even more easily portable than my iPad for reading books on the go while having a lot to choose from. I got the ad-free version, and I actually really like some of the designs they use as the "screen saver." They are pleasant and calm with nice coloring. I am glad I got the ad-free feature. The coloring of things on the Colorsoft is a sort of muted coloring, which at first was a little disappointing to me, but overall I think is actually kind of calming. The name of the device is probably a good clue to what you are getting here -- color, but soft color. It isn't a very vibrant coloring but once you adjust to that, it's actually nice and feels like it is part of the experience/aesthetic of using this device. The only thing that I wish is that it came with page turners. I purchased separately a page turner that lets me go forward and back with one clicker that is a ring I can wear, and that has been superb. I can use the Kindle when I am on my elliptical without having to touch the screen, or I can use it when relaxing in bed under covers without having to reach out at the screen. These are things I could not do with my iPad/Kindle app combo. I feel like it should come with this, but at least it is something that can be purchased for a reasonable price as an add-on. I also purchased separately a case/cover, and that completed my Kindle. I definitely am glad I finally got a Kindle, and that I was able to wait until the Colorsoft had become available. I have seen the black/white Kindle and did not like it, but instead I would recommend this Kindle Colorsoft if you are interested in using your Kindle books in a more portable way without having to view everything in strict black/white.
Kindle Colorsoft Review: Great Device, But Wait for a Sale
I have been a Kindle user for over 20 years and love these devices. I left my Kindle Paperwhite in a foreign country, and it didn't make sense to have it shipped back to me, so I went looking for a new Kindle. I had been following the release of the Kindle Colorsoft before I lost my device. I thought it was priced high and saw there were issues with the yellow bar, but it still looked like a good iteration of Kindle technology. When I lost my Kindle Paperwhite, there happened to be a sale on the new Kindle Colorsoft. I've had the Colorsoft for just under a month and have read multiple books on it. Here are my thoughts: Overall Quality: I think this is a great Kindle. The software works well, and it feels like an upgrade over the Kindle Paperwhite I lost. I like the 7-inch size of the Colorsoft—it's easy to hold and doesn't feel heavy. I've never had issues with Kindles breaking or lacking durability, and the Colorsoft feels just as sturdy as other versions I've owned. The Color Display: When I was showing my new Kindle to one of my children, he remarked, "The color makes it look like artwork"—it wowed him. I really like the color display. Yes, the colors are muted, but that's what makes it so appealing, in my opinion. I've read picture books with my Colorsoft and thought the colors were excellent. If I wanted more vibrant colors, I would read on my phone or tablet, but I use my Kindle specifically to avoid reading on those devices. One review I read mentioned that the Colorsoft was easy on the eyes, and I agree. Price: I think the price is too high at full retail. I wouldn't have bought it at the original price, but I was able to get it on sale and also do a trade-in, which finally made it worthwhile for me. Yellow Bar Issue: I haven't encountered this problem yet. I'll update my review if it appears. Overall: I really like the Colorsoft and gave it 5 stars because it's a great device and I was able to purchase it at a reasonable price.
I have been a Kindle user for over 20 years and love these devices. I left my Kindle Paperwhite in a foreign country, and it didn't make sense to have it shipped back to me, so I went looking for a new Kindle. I had been following the release of the Kindle Colorsoft before I lost my device. I thought it was priced high and saw there were issues with the yellow bar, but it still looked like a good iteration of Kindle technology. When I lost my Kindle Paperwhite, there happened to be a sale on the new Kindle Colorsoft. I've had the Colorsoft for just under a month and have read multiple books on it. Here are my thoughts: Overall Quality: I think this is a great Kindle. The software works well, and it feels like an upgrade over the Kindle Paperwhite I lost. I like the 7-inch size of the Colorsoft—it's easy to hold and doesn't feel heavy. I've never had issues with Kindles breaking or lacking durability, and the Colorsoft feels just as sturdy as other versions I've owned. The Color Display: When I was showing my new Kindle to one of my children, he remarked, "The color makes it look like artwork"—it wowed him. I really like the color display. Yes, the colors are muted, but that's what makes it so appealing, in my opinion. I've read picture books with my Colorsoft and thought the colors were excellent. If I wanted more vibrant colors, I would read on my phone or tablet, but I use my Kindle specifically to avoid reading on those devices. One review I read mentioned that the Colorsoft was easy on the eyes, and I agree. Price: I think the price is too high at full retail. I wouldn't have bought it at the original price, but I was able to get it on sale and also do a trade-in, which finally made it worthwhile for me. Yellow Bar Issue: I haven't encountered this problem yet. I'll update my review if it appears. Overall: I really like the Colorsoft and gave it 5 stars because it's a great device and I was able to purchase it at a reasonable price.
