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Each new iteration of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader brings with it new innovations and price points that make these devices a great value. However, this time around, Amazon might have jacked up the price a bit too much for the Kindle Oasis.
Early reviews of the Kindle Oasis have been great, with virtually everyone agreeing on the functional improvements Amazon has made for this reader. But they also agree the $289.99 price tag is high, compared to the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Voyage, which come in at $80, $120, and $200 respectively.
What the Amazon Oasis Gives You for $290
The Kindle Oasis is 30 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than previous Kindles. When portable gadgets lose size, it generally means the battery suffers, and this is the case with Oasis. However, Amazon has overcome this challenge with a frame and cover that doubles as a rechargeable battery. According to the company, you can expect a battery life of eight weeks with 30 minutes of daily reading or months on standby. If you don’t use the case, you can get more than 2 weeks of battery life.
The Kindle Oasis weighs in at only 4.6 ounces or 131 grams with a new 6-inch Paperwhite display. It has 60 percent more LEDs for better reading under all light conditions. It is made from chemically reinforced glass that is much stronger, but still maintains the same 300 ppi resolution and similar contrast of the Paperwhite and Voyage Kindles.
The brains and battery for the Oasis are housed on the right side of the device with a tapered design that doubles as grip (If you are a lefty, don’t worry, a built in accelerometer automatically changes the content when you hold it on your left hand). This makes one handed operation of the Kindle much easier, letting you use your thumb to access the front bezel to turn pages.
Kindle Oasis Specs
- Display: Amazon’s 6″ Paperwhite display technology with E Ink Carta and built-in light, 300 ppi, optimized font technology, 16-level gray scale.
- Size: 5.6″ x 4.8″ x 0.13-0.33″ (143 mm x 122 mm x 3.4-8.5 mm)
- Cover: 5.7” x 4.9” x 0.07-0.18” (144 mm x 125 mm x 1.9-4.6 mm)
- Weight Wi-Fi: 4.6 oz (131 g); Wi-Fi + 3G: 4.7 oz (133 g); Cover: 3.8 oz (107 g)
- On-Device Storage: 4 GB; holds thousands of books.
- Cloud Storage: Free cloud storage for all Amazon content.
- Charge Time: Fully charges in less than 3 hours from a computer via USB cable.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Supports 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).
- Content Formats Supported: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
Kindles are E-readers, and besides the connectivity they offer to download books, there is little else you can use the device for in business. But you can receive documents on it using WiFi or free 3G connectivity.
Unlike other mobile devices, e-readers and tablets have longer lives. This means the well-made Kindle readers of the past are still being used, and it will take real innovation for owners of these devices to buy another one. While the Kindle Oasis has some noteworthy improvements, it may not be enough for older Kindle owners to ditch their perfectly working readers for this version. When you add the higher price tag to the equation, it may be a deal breaker.
You can preorder the Kindle Oasis now, with shipping scheduled to start on April 27th.
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Images: Amazon
Speedy
All of the reviewers I have read make a big deal about the cost but miss the fact that the case is included. The case was sold separately for previous Kindles, and they weren’t cheap. I compared the price I paid for my Voyage with a case to the price I am paying for the Oasis with a case, and the difference is only about $30. And for that extra $30 you get all the new features and a case with a battery in it.
Michael Guta
Hi Speedy,
That is a great point, but the Voyage has six weeks of battery life (according to the specs) without the case. On the other hand, the Oasis only has two. Again these are points that may not be deal breakers for many people, but there are also consumers where the cost of the Oasis may be too much even with new improvements.
Speedy
I think that the market for this device is people who are willing to spend over $300 to have the best E-reader on the planet. You should be comparing costs to the Voyage, not to any of the other lower priced Kindles. This, like the Voyage, is cutting edge tech. I am willing to spend that much money because I spend hours every day reading, and this is the one device that has made a real difference in my life. I read enough that I save much more than $300 a year on the price savings of buying E-books.
Battery life without the case is not comparable, since every time you put it in the case it will recharge the Kindle. You should directly compare the battery life of the Voyage to the Oasis with the case. Who is not going to put it back in the (easily detached, easily reattached magnetic case) when they are done reading, or when they they go somewhere with it?
Michael Guta
Hi Speedy,
I think we can agree the improvements on the Oasis are worth the money for consumers such as yourself who are willing to spend more to get the best E-reader in the market. You spend hours every day reading, so it is definitely worth the investment.
Speedy
On the subject of battery life, comparing the Voyage to the Oasis with the case (from the Amazon specs):
Voyage:
A single charge lasts up to six weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 10. Battery life will vary based on light setting and wireless usage.
Oasis with case:
A single charge with cover lasts up to eight weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless off and the light setting at 10. Battery life will vary based on light and wireless usage.
Plus, a new hibernation mode minimizes power consumption when your Kindle is inactive, extending battery life to its fullest capacity.
Speedy
By the way, full disclosure, I am not associated with Amazon in any way other than buying their products.
I just don’t quite get the outrage of the reviewers (not just you, this is a common theme) at the price of the top of the line product. I don’t see the same kinds of reviews for other cutting edge tech. In most other fields, there is a sense of admiration for the state of the art, with a caveat that you will pay for it.
They are not depriving consumers of choices; they still offer the full range of Kindles at affordable prices.
David
Yes, the price looks OK considering the cover includes a battery. However I would love to be able to buy the Oasis without a cover, because I will have to take the cover off each time to achieve:
1. Our thinnest and lightest Kindle ever………. Otherwise Kindle Voyage Wi-Fi is 180g, Kindle Oasis with cover is 238g.
2. Shift the center of gravity to your palm, to make it perfectly balanced for one-handed reading…… Only with the cover off though.
So please Amazon provide an option to buy without the cover as I will save money on something I don’t think I’ll use.
Michael Guta
Hi David,
That is an option Amazon should really consider. It is a win/win for everyone. It will bring the price point down for those looking to buy the new device, and give Amazon more customers.
It’s interesting to me how many different product variations and price points there are with the Kindle. Really they’ve created a device to fit virtually any user profile. Find the one that fits your needs and budget and go for it. Don’t worry about the nicer, more expensive one.
Michael Guta
Hi Robert,
I think that is what Amazon has done very well. Like you said, there is device to fit virtually any user profile.
Aira Bongco
Some people are buying tablets just to read. It is true for medical students and other students. So a gadget that is made just for that may just sell as well as the others.