Amazon’s long-running, wildly-popular series of e-readers features an updated lineup, and the basic version at the heart of it is decidedly different than those from the past. The changes to the Kindle catalog are fairly substantial, with three distinct iterations of the e-reader available; each model has its own options as well.

The new Amazon Kindle is smaller and lighter than previous models. Somewhat confusingly, it’s given no new naming convention. It’s simply the Amazon Kindle, but you’ll want to be mindful that this 2026 version is not the same as those from years past. I tested out this new e-reader. Here’s what you need to know.

3.5/5

Resolution

300ppi

Storage

32GB

Brand

Amazon

Screen Size

6-inch

The new Amazon Kindle features a 6-inch screen with optional aluminum backing and a flush display for a portable, convenient reading experience.

Price, availability, and specs

The Amazon Kindle features a 6-inch screen, one-inch smaller than the other Kindles in Amazon’s lineup. The tablet is thin, lightweight, and comes with an optional aluminum backing that adds a little more tactile and sturdy feel to the device. Notably, the design has been updated, and the Kindle now features a flush-front display, meaning that the edges of the device blend seamlessly with the screen.

The cheaper Kindle version offers 16GB of storage, though the more robust model comes with 32GB. It boasts a battery that can last up to six weeks based on a modest daily usage. It features a single button located on the upper right side of the device that will turn the Kindle on and off.

The 32GB Amazon Kindle costs $190 and comes in Seaglass Green and Alpine Sky (blue). The version that includes ads on the lock screen and offers 16GB of storage is also available for $150. This model comes in Ube and Graphite.

What I liked about the Amazon Kindle

Smaller size and easy handling makes for a positive reading experience

I tested out the version with an aluminum backing, and it’s hard not to be impressed when you first take the tablet out of the box. It’s light and small, but not so light and small that you feel like you’re going to break it. I was a little bit concerned about what might happen if I dropped it, but the weight and feel of the Kindle was pleasant. Overall, it’s a cute, attractive device, especially when you consider the seamless front display. It almost feels like a paperback, which was nice but also made me sad about the disappearance of paperbacks, as it can fit in a lot of pockets. The other Kindles aren’t cumbersome, but this model is even easier to take with you on the go.

The main appeal here is the size. You have to want to be interested in a smaller Kindle than the one you might be used to. There are some practical benefits, as the smaller screen may be helpful for those with smaller hands, allowing people to better turn pages and hold the device in a single hand.

I used the device both outside during the day and in bed at night, and found reading to be easy once I manually adjusted brightness settings. All the familiar options exist, with the ability to highlight passages, look up words, track your progress, and add books directly from your associated Amazon account.

The interface and navigation are pretty much the same. I immediately changed to dark mode, and toggled the option to show the book cover I’m currently reading on the lock screen (and then, of course, I switched to airplane mode). Overall, I’m impressed with the size and design, and this Kindle feels like it is actually distinct and worth consideration, which I can’t say for every new e-reader and accessory that Amazon announced.

What I didn’t like about the Kindle

Size includes limitations and questions around protection

I see the value in this Kindle due to its size and stature, but that size does not benefit me personally. The smaller screens mean more page turning; if you’re reading with the same text size you do on another Kindle, then you’re going to be turning the page more options on this smaller size. It may be even more annoying if you typically read with large text. There’s just less room for you to fit words.

If you are used to using a larger e-reader, I think there will be a bit of an adjustment period. I love the flush display, but because the screen is smaller, the reading experience feels less immersive. It’s not unlike how reading a paperback feels different than reading a hardcover book.

It’s also not the ideal option for anyone who is reading books or comics with pictures, especially color pictures. Again, the size of the screen is going to limit the scale of images, and that could take away from the reading experience. I don’t dabble in a lot of graphic novels, but those who do will feel even more hampered by this smaller size.

I’m also a little unsure of the further investments you can make. Most people opt for a Kindle cover, which makes sense when you want to protect the device. But getting one for the smaller iteration almost seems counterintuitive. It’s light, thin, and attractive, and opting for a cover takes away all of that.

There is the general stuff that comes with every Kindle model that is annoying. You will have to connect an Amazon account, identify your Kindle, and then await subscription offers. The set-up is a hassle, although once I got through it and turned off Wi-Fi to isolate my tablet, the operation and reading ran much more smoothly.

Should you buy the Kindle?

The revamped and reinvigorated Amazon Kindle is a simple proposition. Does a small e-reader make sense for your life? The decision on whether this model is worth it versus the new Paperwhite or Colorsoft hinges on what size is convenient and accessible for your reading journey. If you like this smaller size, then absolutely avoid the ads on the lock screen and pay extra for the aluminum backing to enhance the feel.

Don’t worry about the storage size at all. To fill up a 32GB e-reader, you’re going to need to upload thousands of ebooks, maybe even over 10,000. So that’s not important. Price is, however, and the new Kindle is still a sizable investment, so I wouldn’t go and get rid of your old one just yet. But if the size is appealing, then I recommend going for it.

3.5/5

Resolution

300ppi

Storage

32GB

Brand

Amazon

Screen Size

6-inch

The new Amazon Kindle features a 6-inch screen with optional aluminum backing and a flush display for a portable, convenient reading experience.