Amazon refreshes Kindle lineup with bezel-free design

Key facts

• Amazon's new Kindle features a flush-front design, eliminating the traditional raised bezel.
• The standard Kindle is 6.8mm thick and weighs 140 grams, making it thinner and lighter.
• New Kindle models offer 30% faster page turns compared to the previous generation.
• The standard Kindle starts at $149.99 and is available in Ube and Graphite.
• The Kindle Paperwhite starts at $199.99 with 16GB of storage.
• The Kindle Colorsoft starts at $289.99 with 16GB of storage.

Amazon has unveiled a significant physical redesign for its Kindle e-reader lineup, centered on eliminating the traditional raised bezel. The new models feature a flush-front design, aiming for a cleaner look and a more seamless user experience. This redesign is accompanied by a reduction in thickness and weight, positioning the standard Kindle as the most pocket-friendly option.

To address potential accidental screen touches with the bezel-free design, Amazon is incorporating capacitive touch technology and haptics to create a "dead zone" that detects where a user's finger is resting. Kevin Keith, Amazon's vice president of devices, explained that the device will self-detect and adjust the touch-sensitive area to avoid unintended commands.

The standard 6-inch Kindle is now 6.8 millimeters thick and weighs 140 grams. Amazon also stated that the new display offers 30% faster page turns compared to the previous generation. The lineup introduces new color options, including Ube, Alpine Sky, Seaglass Green, Graphite, and Fig. The new Kindle starts at $149.99 and is available in Ube and Graphite. For the first time, an aluminum-backed version with 32GB of storage is also offered.

The redesign extends to the Kindle Paperwhite, which is also thinner and lighter. It features the largest display in the Kindle lineup with a high contrast ratio for deep blacks and crisp text. The standard Paperwhite costs $199.99 with 16GB of storage, while a 32GB Signature Edition is priced at $249.99.

The Kindle Colorsoft, Amazon's first color e-reader, also adopts the new design. The standard Colorsoft with 16GB of storage starts at $289.99, and a 32GB Signature Edition is available for $319.99.

The new Kindle and its aluminum version are available starting today in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Australia. The Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft are available for preorder in these regions. Amazon's Kids lineup also includes updated models.