Amazon’s popular Kindle e-book line has been widely applauded since its introduction for its functional and easy-to-use design. The only thing it really missed so far was waterproofing, which is not out of line with the latest trend in smartphones.
Thankfully, that gap is being filled with the introduction of the new Oasis, which is the update to last year’s model. The last year’s iteration was the company’s best by far.
New Design, Bigger Display
The new display comes with a larger 7-inch display (up from 6-inch) and boasts 300 ppi pixel density, which is impressive. Two additional LEDs allow for a more comfortable and consistent experience under dark, while an ambient light sensor means brightness changes as soon as the lighting does. More fonts have been added for a more personalized experience.
The back is made of aluminum, while there are two physical buttons for switching pages (alongside touch controls). The built-in free Audible app gives you access to your audiobooks in the same location. The design is still 3.4 mm at its thinnest (it is slightly slanted), while the battery size has been increased by a bit (it lasts “weeks”).
Water Resistance
Apart from the increase in size, the new model supports IPX8 water-resistance, which means it can stay submerged in up to 2 meters of water for up to an hour. The USB port remains uncovered, so Amazon recommends you stand it upright afterwards to drain the water.
Pricing
The new Oasis will start at $250 when it arrives this October for the 8 GB model, plus $30 for 32 GB, or $350 for cellular 32 GB version. Meanwhile, the classic Kindle starts at $80, the Paperwhite at $120 and the Voyage at $200 to conclude the lineup.
The price may sound like a lot for an e-book reader, but add in the convenience and premium design, not-to-mention the storage savings and the deal starts to look very attractive.
