Amazon’s standard Kindle gets a major upgrade with new Paperwhite feature

Amazon is bringing Paperwhite features to its classic Kindle model at half the price as the higher-end device.

The new standard Kindle is the first e-reader in Amazon’s range with a front light that is available for under £100. The front light means that readers can adjust the display brightness on the device so it is easier to read indoors at night or outdoors in the sun.

To make this possible, there are around four tiny LEDs built into the panel at the bottom of the Kindle’s screen which point towards the display. The light guide layer built into the device then disperses the light across the screen, so it's possible to see the screen in different light settings.

In the past, this type of feature has been reserved for its higher-end models, like the Paperwhite, with prices starting at £119.

However, Amazon has decided to add this light tech to its entry-level Kindle, with prices starting at only £69.99.

Speaking about the new device, Head of Amazon Devices for Europe, Eric Saarnio, said: “Customers constantly tell us how much they appreciate having a front light on Kindle devices so they can read in any environment - even in bed at night. The team worked hard to bring this customer-favourite feature to our most affordable device.”

New Kindle: the features you need to know

That’s not all the improvements the classic Kindle has undergone. It has an updated E ink technology for better contrast on the 6-inch display. The device also features capacitive touch to prevent accidental swipes - a necessary feature so you don’t lose the page you’re reading.

Despite the new light technology, the Kindle still packs that great battery which will last weeks in-between charges.

An updated design ensures the device is thin and light, and easy to hold in one hand during long reading sessions.

Like last year’s Paperwhite Kindle, the new Kindle also features Audible built-in so you can switch between listening to your favourite audiobooks and reading them on your Kindle device.

If you listen to a book on the way home from work say, and then pick up your Kindle to read later in bed, the book will be in the right place where you finished listening so you can pick up and get reading.

The one thing this Kindle still doesn’t have, which the higher end versions do, is that it isn’t waterproof. So though you can read the Kindle very easily in the sun when you’re on holiday, make sure you keep it away from the pool and the beach.

New Amazon Kindle: price and release date

The new Amazon Kindle is available for £69.99 and pre-orders are open now at Amazon.co.uk and other retailers, including Argos. The device itself will ship on April 10, but if you pre-order the device now, Amazon is offering customers three months of Kindle Unlimited for free.

If you’ve never used Kindle Unlimited, it's Amazon’s book version of a subscription service, and offers access to millions of books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines too.

This offer can only be accessed on receiving the device on the April release date, so make sure to sign up straight away to access all of the content.