Is the Kindle Paperwhite the right e-reader for you?
The new Kindle Paperwhite costs $199.99 and ships October 28, 2026. It has a 7-inch black-and-white screen, a warm light and a waterproof body, and it does not show color. Tick what you read and see which side you are on.
How will you read on it?
What you get for $199.99
| Display | 7-inch flush-front e-paper screen, 300 ppi, black and white |
|---|---|
| Light | Adjustable brightness and warm light |
| Storage | 16GB (Signature Edition: 32GB) |
| Battery | Up to 12 weeks on a single charge (Amazon's figure) |
| Water resistance | IPX8 waterproof |
| Thickness | 6.8 mm |
| Weight | 204 g (7.2 oz) |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz |
| Accessibility | VoiceView screen reader over Bluetooth audio |
| Color | Graphite (Signature Edition: Graphite or Seaglass Green) |
| Release | Preorders opened October 1, 2026; ships October 28, 2026 |
What the $199.99 model leaves out
The standard Paperwhite is the plastic model. The $249.99 Signature Edition keeps the same screen and adds the extras below.
Black and white only
The 7-inch screen does not show color. Comics, cookbooks and covers appear in grayscale. Color is the Colorsoft's job.
No auto-adjusting light
You set the brightness and warmth yourself. The Signature Edition adjusts its light to the room.
16GB, one size
The standard model comes only with 16GB. The Signature Edition doubles it to 32GB.
No dock charging
Pogo pin dock charging is a Signature Edition feature, and the dock is sold separately.
No double-tap page turns
Double-tap page turning and the $79.99 Page-Turn Cover are for the Signature Editions only.
Plastic body, one color
The standard model is molded plastic in Graphite. The aluminum body and Seaglass Green belong to the Signature Edition.
Paperwhite or Signature Edition?
Kindle Paperwhite, 16GB
The same screen, battery and waterproofing. Enough for most readers of books.
Paperwhite Signature Edition, 32GB
Adds an aluminum back, an auto-adjusting light, dock charging, double-tap page turns and twice the storage.
Kindle Colorsoft, 16GB
A 7-inch color screen for comics, magazines and color highlights, with up to 8 weeks of battery.
Amazon announced this Paperwhite on October 1, 2026. In August 2026 Amazon raised the previous Paperwhite from $159.99 to $199.99, and the new model kept that price. The basic 6-inch Kindle is $149.99. Older Paperwhites may still be on sale for less while stock lasts. Retail prices move, so check today's price before you buy.
See today's price on AmazonCommon questions
When does the new Kindle Paperwhite come out?
It ships October 28, 2026. Preorders opened on October 1.
Is the Kindle Paperwhite waterproof?
Yes. It is rated IPX8 waterproof.
How long does the Paperwhite battery last?
Amazon states up to 12 weeks on a single charge.
What is the difference between the Paperwhite and the Signature Edition?
The $249.99 Signature Edition adds 32GB of storage, an aluminum back, an auto-adjusting light, dock charging and double-tap page turns.
Does the Kindle Paperwhite show color?
No. It has a black-and-white screen. The Kindle Colorsoft is the color model.
How big is the Kindle Paperwhite screen?
It has a 7-inch flush-front screen at 300 ppi.
How much does the Kindle Paperwhite cost?
Amazon's list price is $199.99 for the 16GB model as of October 2026.
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