Kindle enthusiasts may be the most devoted crowd on BookTok, discovering methods to expand their device’s functionalities through page turners or Stuff Your Kindle Day gatherings. This is quite reasonable, as they represent the top e-readers on the market. In 2024, Amazon rolled out a new series of Kindles that enhanced the previous generation, which we already valued.
I’ve evaluated the Kindle Paperwhite, and spoiler alert, I consider it a more economical choice than the Signature Edition. Nevertheless, the SE has its benefits. Let’s delve into the Signature Edition and assess its worth compared to the standard Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite.
It includes all the benefits of the Paperwhite and more
The Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition are essentially identical devices, with the Signature Edition featuring a few additional functions. You can read the full details about our admiration for the Paperwhite in my review, but here’s the quick overview.
The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is remarkably quick. In comparison to the 2021 version, the change is perceptible, with no delays when navigating pages. The most significant enhancement is in switching between titles in your library, as it rapidly executes tasks.
Featuring a 7-inch display, the SE has a minor size upgrade, while the resolution of 300 ppi and maximum brightness of 94 nits remain consistent across generations. However, the screen on this model appears to have better contrast, making it crisper and simpler to read. Additionally, it stays waterproof, ideal for use in the bathtub, at the beach, or by the pool.
Moreover, it offers 32GB of storage. If you’re comparing it to phones or tablets, that storage size might sound limited, but remember that 32GB can accommodate up to 32,000 e-books.
You receive all these impressive features in both the Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition, so what distinguishes the SE?
The same excellent battery performance as the Kindle Paperwhite
Kindles excel in one aspect: battery endurance. The Kindle Paperwhite and Signature Edition share the same battery lifespan of up to 12 weeks. The Signature Edition can last for months without needing a charge, but it doesn’t exceed the longevity of the standard Paperwhite. The sole advantage in battery life you gain with the Signature Edition is its wireless charging capabilities.
The Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: What does an additional $40 provide?
The Paperwhite Signature Edition comes with multiple added features justifying its $40 price increase. Priced at $199.99, it includes an ad-free lock screen, 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting brightness, and wireless charging. Additionally, it is available in metallic variants of the Kindle Paperwhite’s black, jade, and raspberry.
No advertising on the lock screen
Among the new features, the ad-free lock screen is the most appealing. On a conventional Kindle, advertisements show up on the lock screen, pushing Amazon’s suggestions onto you. While not a complete dealbreaker, it can be quite bothersome. The Signature Edition alleviates this, freeing you from advertising’s constraints (at least to some extent). However, there is a drawback. The ad-free lock screen tends to unlock easily when placed in a bag since it lacks the ‘swipe to unlock’ feature present in ad-supported devices. Therefore, if you decide to purchase the Signature Edition, consider getting a case with a cover.
Brightness that automatically adjusts
Regarding other features, I found them to be unremarkable. The auto-adjusting brightness didn’t function reliably; even when I shifted from reading next to a lamp to switching off the lights, the auto-adjustment failed to activate, and I constantly had to manually modify the brightness.
Charging wirelessly
While wireless charging is a nice touch, it didn’t seem like an essential feature since the device requires charging every three months. Furthermore, with most devices using USB-C nowadays, I’m never short on chargers.
32GB of storage — is it essential?
Now, let’s discuss the 32GB aspect. For an e-reader, that’s a substantial amount of storage. It’s double that of the standard Kindle Paperwhite, amounting to roughly 32,000 books’ worth of space. That is a considerable quantity of books. Is that much storage necessary? In my expert opinion, no, particularly when you can delete downloaded titles from your device and redownload them from the Kindle cloud anytime. Therefore, if you believe you require all that capacity, chances are you likely do not, making the extra $40 not worthwhile.