I’m the first to say you don’t always need the newest product, but these new Kindles make it hard to resist. When Amazon revealed the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, it popped with its new colorful aluminum finish, but with most of its changes on the outside, I had to see just how much impact it would have on the e-reader’s overall performance and value.
But the upgrades aren’t just superficial. After Amazon raised prices across its devices, there’s added pressure to make sure the tech measures up to its higher price. After a few weeks with the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Amazon did a phenomenal job on its new e-reader, making it worthy of the increased price.
What’s new in the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The changes between the 2024 and 2026 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Editions are visible. With a new aluminum casing, it feels more like an iPad Mini than it does the previous Kindle. But it still has the same matte paper-like display with adjustable brightness and warmth. The power button on the e-reader was moved from the bottom to the side of the device, a welcome change.
A big draw on the new Paperwhite Signature Edition is the compatible accessories. Amazon also released the Kindle Click, its first page-turning remote. While the Click is compatible with all 2024 and 2026 Kindle e-readers, Amazon’s new Page Turn Cover is exclusively compatible with the 2026 Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition.
What’s the difference between the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition?
In the past, the Paperwhite has been Amazon’s flagship e-reader, with the Paperwhite Signature Edition being the more luxe option. However, with the 2026 redesign, it seems like the script has been flipped, with Amazon pushing the Signature Edition while the standard Paperwhite takes a back seat.
Plenty remains the same between the devices. They have the same 7-inch screen with 300 ppi resolution and adjustable warmth and brightness. Both are waterproof with IPX8 ratings and 12-week battery life. The new devices also have easy-to-open back panels to make replacing the battery that much easier.
The Paperwhite is the cheaper option at $199.99, but it comes with only 16GB of storage (which, to be fair, is still plenty) and is available in graphite with a plastic casing. The Signature Edition is more expensive at $249.99, but comes with 32GB of storage and is available in the aluminum finish in seaglass green and graphite. Beyond its nicer finish, it also has an ad-free lockscreen, automatic front-light adjustment, a rotating screen, and wireless charging. The real perk of the Paperwhite Signature Edition is its compatibility with the Page Turn Cover, which adds page-turning buttons to your Kindle.
It feels as expensive as it is
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The aluminum case on the Paperwhite Signature Edition is nearly enough to justify its $250 price tag. The Paperwhite Signature Edition is about the same size as the previous generation, but it’s about one millimeter thinner and 10 grams lighter. Compared to the previous generation, it has squared edges and an aluminum case, making it feel more like a tablet or smartphone.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Plus, it comes in a neutral graphite, but the seaglass green is a vibrant alternative that’s really dazzling. It now feels like more sophisticated tech, which is enough for me to justify its price tag.
Its performance is great, but is it really better?
One thing I feel certain about Kindles is that they’re fast — easily the quickest e-readers we’ve tested. Every time a new Kindle is released, Amazon touts that they’re some percentage faster than a previous generation; that’s the case with this year’s base Kindle, which Amazon says is 30 percent faster. However, that claim is missing on the Paperwhite Signature Edition.
This year’s Paperwhite Signature Edition still has quick processing time, but it doesn’t seem faster than the previous generation. Before trying the 2026 model, I read with the 2024 Paperwhite Signature Edition daily, and I didn’t notice any changes in processing speed between the two e-readers. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, as it was already a zippy e-reader.
With a rotating screen, the page-turn cover is a must
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Since Amazon discontinued the Kindle Oasis, Kindle users have been shouting from the rooftops that they want a Kindle with page-turning buttons. As reported by The Verge, Amazon has said it won’t be making Kindles with buttons, but it’s offering something in between. The new Kindle Page Turn Cover now magnetically attaches to Signature Edition Kindles and lets you turn the page by pressing the buttons on the case.
The case works seamlessly, and Amazon added a key feature to the Paperwhite Signature Edition — a rotating screen. The rotating screen is key when using page-turning buttons. That way, when you’re reading in bed and want to roll over and switch sides, you can rotate the device to use your preferred hand, and the screen rotates too. The only downside is that you have to buy the cover separately for $79.99.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
We initially had a problem with the screen rotation, as the unit we were testing didn’t support it. This appeared to be a glitch, and Amazon replaced the model. On the Paperwhite Signature Edition, the screen rotation worked seamlessly. In the pull-down menu, there’s an option to lock the rotation too, if you don’t want your screen to rotate while in use.
Is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition worth its price?
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Yes, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth its $249.99 price tag. In fact, I think it’s the first Signature Edition to really be worth the upgrade. It has the same perks as before, like 32GB of storage and automatic brightness adjustment, but what puts it a step above is its finer casing materials. It feels like a more advanced piece of tech, so while it’s still the same reliable Kindle platform, it has a more sophisticated build.
Not to mention, its rotating screen and compatibility with the Kindle Page Turn Cover make it the most versatile and functional Kindle yet.
If you’re ready to upgrade your e-reader, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the absolute best one you can buy. If you want something more budget-friendly but equally colorful, go for the standard Kindle. But if you’re wondering if the Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth its price, without a doubt, it is.
