Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen): A familiar classic, refined for 2025

Mint

13-05-2025

If you are among those looking to replace an old Kindle device, the wait is finally over. After months of speculation about why Amazon was not dropping the latest version of its popular e-reader in India, as we reported back in February, the 12th generation model is now available in India—a new device after over three years.
While e-readers are not like smartphones that you feel compelled to replace with newer, shinier devices every year and are mostly functional gadgets that you need for just one thing, they do wear out—many users report issues with the battery after a few years of use, some have problems with the backlight, and others face a device that has simply bricked. So the news that new Kindle devices—not refurbished ones, not alternatives like the Kobo e-reader—are finally available to purchase is great for bibliophiles in India.
The question is: Has Amazon meaningfully advanced the Paperwhite experience, or is this simply another subtle iteration in a long line of incremental upgrades?
For readers who have already embraced e-books, the new Kindle Paperwhite delivers small but useful improvements—without disrupting the core experience that has kept Kindle loyalists invested. However, for those seeking a revolutionary shift, the upgrade might feel more like fine-tuning rather than transformation.
Refinements over reinvention
Amazon's latest iteration of its popular Paperwhite series doesn't scream reinvention. Instead, it whispers refinement
At first glance, nothing looks dramatically different—the Kindle Paperwhite maintains its signature minimalist aesthetic, with a matte-finish back, flush display, and lightweight build. It's sleek, unobtrusive, and designed to fade into the background so the words on its screen remain the focus.
The slimmed-down bezels surrounding the display contribute to a modern aesthetic and makes holding the device much more comfortable. It is easy to grip during prolonged reading sessions, whether curled up on a couch or commuting on a train.
The heart of any Kindle device is the reading experience, and Amazon continues to make small but meaningful improvements with each new iteration.
The 7-inch glare-free display is a slight increase from the previous generation, but it's noticeable enough to provide a more immersive reading experience while maintaining portability. The 300ppi resolution ensures crisp, ink-like text, making it effortless to lose oneself in a book, whether in the harsh afternoon sun or under dim bedside lighting. The addition of adjustable warm light enhances nighttime reading, allowing users to shift screen hues for a more comfortable experience, especially for extended reading sessions.
Amazon claims that page turns are now 25% faster, a claim that holds up in real-world use. The device feels more responsive and navigating through books and menus is much smoother and more fluid, especially if you have used older generation Kindle devices. And while e-ink technology will never match the instantaneous responsiveness of a smartphone or tablet display, the improvements are quite significant contributing to a more enjoyable reading experience.
Also read: Can AI replace children's book illustrators?
Amazon claims up to 12 weeks of battery life on a single charge, based on a half hour of reading per day. While I haven't had a chance to test the device for that long and, of course, actual battery longevity depends on reading habits, wireless connectivity, and brightness settings, it is obvious that this is a device that you don't have to charge too often or worry about when you are on a long trip.
Like in the past, there's IPX8 water resistance that can take care of accidental splashes and even brief submersion. Afterall, Kindle is a great device to unwind with by the pool or at the beach.
The new Paperwhite comes with 16GB of storage, double the capacity of its predecessor. While I've never had storage anxiety on a Kindle, but maybe it will appeal to those who really like to always keep a large library of books on their device or, like me, suffer from tsundoku, a Japanese term that describes the habit of buying books and letting them pile up unread.
Beyond the hardware
While the hardware upgrades are important, the true strength of the Kindle ecosystem lies in the seamless integration of hardware, software, and content.
Amazon's Kindle Store remains the dominant force in the e-book market, offering a vast selection of titles across every imaginable genre—and across several Indian languages. The store is easy to navigate, but the ability to purchase and download books directly from the device is quite a kerfuffle now. You can neither use Amazon Pay balance to buy books as was the case before nor use your saved credit card. The only viable option then is UPI, which would mean picking up your smartphone anyway.
The Kindle software offers several features that enhance the reading experience. These include adjustable font sizes and styles, customizable margins, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to highlight and annotate text. There's also the Whispersync feature which seamlessly syncs your reading progress across multiple devices, allowing you to pick up where you left off, whether you're reading on your Kindle, smartphone, or tablet. There's nothing new here, but the sum of all these parts makes for a delightful whole when it comes to the reading experience and defining how e-books trump physical books.
Additionally, if you are an Amazon Prime member, you can access a rotating catalogue of select e-books at no additional cost. Or you can subscribe to Kindle Unlimited ( ₹169.00/month) that offers access to an extensive digital library of over 20 lakh e-books.
For accessibility needs, the Kindle Paperwhite also includes a screen reader to provide spoken feedback when you touch items on the screen.
The verdict
The new Kindle Paperwhite stays true to its identity. It refines an already stellar product, and the thoughtful improvements make reading more comfortable and accessible. At ₹16,999, the all-new Kindle Paperwhite is a tad expensive than what these devices used to cost a few years ago. But it's also a device that lasts for years like a reliable companion.
If you already own the Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen), the upgrades in the 12th generation are quite practical; however, if you're expecting a groundbreaking change, this iteration might not feel significant enough to justify an upgrade. For first-time Kindle users or those transitioning from older models, this device represents a worthwhile investment offering a premium and distraction-free reading experience.
The Kindle, of course, represents Amazon's walled garden. You can still sideload content, including e-books and PDF documents, but it isn't as seamless as it is on Kobo e-readers (for the same price as the new Kindle Paperwhite, you can get the Kobo Clara with a colour display). That said, while Kindle pigeonholes you into fewer options, it definitely offers a more evolved and seamless experience than Kobo, unless you are a power user and want to play around with the device beyond what's available out of the box.
Also read: The best true wireless earbuds on a budget
The beauty of the new Kindle Paperwhite lies in its quiet elegance and apposite reading experience. It doesn't demand attention. It doesn't try to dazzle. It simply allows the words to take centrestage, just the way it should be.