New Amazon Kindle 2016

Who said you had to spend a whole bunch of money to revel in the latest technology? Catering to bookish fans on a budget, the the new Amazon Kindle for 2016 has been unleashed upon the world. Even though the 8th generation Kindle boasts a couple of a new features in a slimmer and lighter package, it’s still priced exactly the same as the model it replaces. Here’s your first look, with a quick comparison against the more expensive models.

It wasn’t that long ago that I highlighted both the PagePress-enabled Kindle Voyage and the much more expensive Kindle Oasis. Those e-readers are for more serious readers who are willing to pay a premium to get their hands on a more premium build with more premium features. The new Kindle is a different beast.

It’s cheap.

And it’s supposed to be cheap.

But in order to achieve that lower price point, they had to cut a few corners for the new Amazon Kindle. Unlike every other model in the range, for example, it lacks any sort of backlighting. The plastic body lacks the soft touch finish you find on the other versions too. The 6-inch e-ink display is also a lower resolution. But hey, it’s cheap.

In the video below, I unbox the new Kindle, provide some initial impressions, and hold it up side-by-side against the other Kindle e-readers. The entry level 8th generation Amazon Kindle is available now for $79.99. Curiously, it’s also available for the same price in Canada but in Canadian dollars and without the “special offers” on the lock screen. Go figure.

For reference, here are my MEGATechNews reviews of the Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis in case you missed them the first time around.