Amazon's new basic Kindle proves you don't need all the bells and whistles
News Source
β’Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:18:00 +0000
π° What Happened
Amazon's cheapest new Kindle costs $169.99. It has a 6-inch screen, 16GB of storage and a flush front. It is 11% lighter and 14% thinner than the 2024 model.
The basic model skips some features. There is no warm light, no colour screen, no waterproofing and no auto brightness. Its battery lasts about six weeks.
Reviewers found the smaller size easy to hold for long reading sessions. Kindle prices rose $40 to $50 this year because memory chips cost more.
π The Backstory
Amazon has sold Kindles since 2007. The early models had buttons and no light. Later versions added touchscreens, front lights and waterproof bodies.
The AI boom has pushed up demand for memory chips, which data centres also need. That shortage has raised prices for many gadgets. Cheap tablets and phones also compete with e-readers.
π― Why It Matters
For a student or a daily reader, a light, cheap e-reader may matter more than extras. It is a reminder that the basic version is often enough.
Amazon's cheapest new Kindle costs $169.99. It has a 6-inch screen, 16GB of storage and a flush front. It is 11% lighter and 14% thinner than the 2024 model.
The basic model skips some features. There is no warm light, no colour screen, no waterproofing and no auto brightness. Its battery lasts about six weeks.
Reviewers found the smaller size easy to hold for long reading sessions. Kindle prices rose $40 to $50 this year because memory chips cost more.
Amazon has sold Kindles since 2007. The early models had buttons and no light. Later versions added touchscreens, front lights and waterproof bodies.
The AI boom has pushed up demand for memory chips, which data centres also need. That shortage has raised prices for many gadgets. Cheap tablets and phones also compete with e-readers.
For a student or a daily reader, a light, cheap e-reader may matter more than extras. It is a reminder that the basic version is often enough.