Amazon’s new Kindle line gets a flush-front design, slimmer bodies and an official page-turn remote. The standard 6-inch Kindle and aluminium-backed Kindle with 32GB are available in the UAE now, while the refreshed Paperwhite and Colorsoft are open for preorder, Amazon says. US list prices start at $149.99; Amazon’s announcement does not give a UAE price.
For a local comparison with the previous range, see our 2025 Kindle buying guide for the UAE. The 2026 launch covers the entry Kindle, Paperwhite and Colorsoft, rather than a new Scribe.
New Kindle models: what changes and what they cost
The new Kindle keeps a 6-inch screen and 16GB of storage, but Amazon has flattened the front and says the redesigned model is 30% faster at opening books. It weighs 140g and is 6.8mm thick, TechCrunch reports. Amazon lists up to six weeks of battery life and a US starting price of $149.99, in Ube and Graphite.
An aluminium-backed version raises the US price to $189.99 and storage to 32GB. It comes in Alpine Sky and Seaglass Green. Amazon says the metal housing uses 80% recycled aluminium; the standard model uses recycled materials and a battery made with 100% recycled cobalt. These are US prices, not confirmed UAE prices.
| Kindle model | US list price | Storage and display | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle | $149.99 | 16GB, 6-inch | Flush-front design; Ube or Graphite |
| Kindle aluminium | $189.99 | 32GB, 6-inch | Aluminium back; Alpine Sky or Seaglass Green |
| Kindle Paperwhite | $199.99 | 16GB, 7-inch | Thinner and lighter; Graphite |
| Paperwhite Signature Edition | $249.99 | 32GB, 7-inch | Aluminium rear, auto-adjusting light, pogo-pin dock charging |
| Kindle Colorsoft | $289.99 | 16GB, 7-inch | Colour display; Graphite |
| Colorsoft Signature Edition | $319.99 | 32GB, 7-inch | Aluminium housing, auto-adjusting light and dock charging |
The Paperwhite and Colorsoft keep their previous display specifications, according to The Verge, while the redesign makes them thinner and lighter. The standard Paperwhite and Colorsoft retain 16GB, while their Signature Editions add 32GB and aluminium housing. The power button has also moved to the right edge near the top.
The entry Kindle’s flush front removes the raised bezel, which can make it easier to swipe accidentally while holding the reader. Amazon says capacitive touch sensing and haptics detect a resting thumb and create a “dead zone” around it, as TechCrunch reported. Kevin Keith, Amazon’s vice president of devices, described the system:
“When you’re gripping the Kindle, wherever you put your thumb, it will self-detect a dead zone in the Cap touch. It will just readjust, and it’ll know that the finger is there,”
Kevin Keith, Amazon vice president of devices
Kindle Click adds a separate page-turn button
Amazon’s Kindle Click is a $34.99 Bluetooth remote for turning pages without touching the reader. It is compatible with every new Kindle and models released in 2024 or later; earlier Kindles are not included. Amazon pitches it for reading in bed, on a treadmill or with the e-reader propped on a tray table, according to TechCrunch’s report on the remote.
There is also a $79.99 magnetic Page-Turn Cover with physical buttons for Paperwhite and Colorsoft Signature Editions, plus a $59.99 charging dock for those models. Kindle Click costs $5 more than the $29.99 Kobo Remote and BOOX Tappy, TechCrunch reports. Amazon’s remote works across recent Kindle models, while the alternatives are designed for their own e-reader ranges.
Amazon’s announcement includes the UAE among the launch markets: the standard and aluminium-backed Kindle are available now, with Paperwhite and Colorsoft preorder availability beginning on a rolling basis. The announcement gives US list prices only, so readers here should check Amazon.ae for the final AED price and delivery timing.
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Is the aluminium-backed Kindle worth the extra $40?
At US list prices, it adds 16GB of storage and an aluminium back for $40 over the standard 16GB model. The screen stays 6 inches, so it suits readers who value the metal finish or extra storage rather than a larger display.
Can I use Kindle Click with an older Kindle?
No. Amazon lists compatibility with new Kindles and models released in 2024 or later. Owners of earlier Kindles will need another page-turn option, such as a compatible third-party clip-on remote; check that accessory’s model list before buying.
Is the new Paperwhite a screen upgrade?
No display-spec change is reported for this refresh. The Paperwhite is thinner and lighter, and its power button has moved, so the upgrade is mainly about the body and controls rather than a new screen.
Is Kindle Click worth $5 more than the Kobo or BOOX remote?
The Kindle Click costs $34.99 in the US and works across supported Kindle models from 2024 onward; the Kobo Remote and BOOX Tappy are each $29.99 and target their own e-reader ranges. For a Kindle owner, the broader Kindle compatibility may justify the premium; Kobo and BOOX owners should look at their platform’s remote.
