Hands on: The Kindle Scribe’s colour upgrade means it finally makes sense – but there’s one problem

Image: Chris Hall / Foundry

Nearly two decades since its conception, Kindle remains the leading contender in the e-reader market. Yet, its efforts in the larger note-taking E Ink devices have seen mixed results.

The first-generation Kindle Scribe, launched in 2022, faced immediate backlash due to unoptimized features, basic note-taking capabilities, and inadequate format support. It was merely an incremental update over Kindle’s existing e-reader lineup, but subsequent software updates improved its appeal.

In 2024, the second-generation Kindle Scribe received notable enhancements, including a white border mimicking traditional paper, a new glass surface for a more realistic writing experience, and performance boosted by a fresh processor. Software features were also expanded, increasing its overall usability.

Nonetheless, it appears that the Kindle Scribe has continued to evolve. The latest iteration, launched in 2025, comprises two variants: a revamped black-and-white model and the brand-new Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, introducing color to Amazon’s most substantial Kindle offering to date.

An Enhanced Design

The Kindle Scribe retains its sleek form but has undergone several design tweaks for improved aesthetics. It now measures just 5.4mm thick, down from the previous 5.7mm, and weighs 400g instead of 433g.

The display size has been expanded to 11 inches, surpassing the prior 10.2-inch format. Users will notice a border around the screen that syncs with the device’s color design, deviating from Amazon’s previous initiative to widen the available writing surface.

Chris Hall / Foundry

The most significant design alteration is its symmetrical form. The previous model featured a protruding section on the left, which was visually displeasing. The removal of this section gives the new Kindle Scribe a sleek and premium feel compared to its predecessors.

The device is available in multiple colors, such as Fig and Graphite for the Colorsoft, while the black-and-white model comes solely in Graphite. The black-and-white option maintains the white border around the display, offering an easy means of differentiation.

The internal hardware now boasts a more powerful processor, resulting in a 40% performance increase per Amazon’s claims. Performance metrics relate to page-turn speeds and writing responsiveness, alongside an upgrade to 4GB RAM from 1GB in the initial model.

Display Enhancements and Color Introduction

The writing experience has also benefitted greatly from display improvements. The device is outfitted with 70 mini LED lights enhancing screen illumination, while the updated glass texture mimics the feel of paper.

The gap between the screen surface and the ink display has been minimized, creating a more lifelike writing appearance with a 12ms lag time for a seamless visual effect—emulating the sensation of writing on actual paper.

Chris Hall / Foundry

The display now operates at a higher voltage to accelerate page-turning, contributing to a smoother reading experience for both models. The standout innovation, however, is the addition of color, which significantly enhances content engagement.

While color presented limited value in smaller formats like the Kindle Colorsoft, where it was first introduced, it finds its rightful place in larger formats, particularly for graphic novels and textbooks. Here, color breathes new life into the literature.

The new Kindle Scribe just looks better and more premium than both of its predecessors

This addition holds particular value for educational material, where the potential for margin notes and highlights presents a major advantage for learners. Easy access to the Kindle Store for eBooks, plus seamless support for PDFs and similar documents, enhances its utility.

See also  Dark Matter ‘Droplets’ Could Solve Multiple Cosmic Mysteries

Chris Hall / Foundry

With ten ink colors, five highlighter options, and five brush styles available, there’s ample customization for note-taking and sketching, though users shouldn’t expect the same experience as high-end color devices such as the iPad.

Enhanced Software Functionality

Amazon continues to improve the Scribe’s software ecosystem. A significant new feature is the ability to synchronize with Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, facilitating document management and integration into various workflows. Though it may seem mundane, this upgrade is arguably the most significant enhancement available.

Importantly, existing Kindle Scribe devices will also gain this feature, ensuring that all users benefit.

A revamped home page now allows Quick Notes for immediate writing access, with notebooks conveniently listed along the side and books across the bottom for effortless navigation.

Chris Hall / Foundry

The Kindle Scribe also embraces AI features, including an intelligent search function capable of scanning handwritten notes, and an AI chat tool that assists in processing notes with dynamic follow-up prompts. While comprehensive testing of these features remains pending, initial demonstrations hinted at impressive capabilities, such as summarizing notes and suggesting pertinent questions.

Integration with third-party cloud storage providers is probably the Scribe’s most meaningful upgrade

There’s a Caveat, and It’s Significant

While the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft boasts commendable features to position itself as a competitive e-reading and writing device, it comes at a steep price. The starting price for the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is £569.99 in the UK or $629.99 in the US.

If color isn’t a priority, the updated Scribe model retails for £449.99/$499.99, or a version without front light available at £389.99/$429.99.

The fresh Kindle Scribe will hit the US market by the end of 2025, and early 2026 in the UK.