I upgraded from a 12-year-old Kindle Paperwhite to the Kindle Colorsoft - my thoughts

After using my Kindle Paperwhite (6th generation) for around 12 years, I decided it was time for an e-reader upgrade and treated myself to the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.

My old Paperwhite served me incredibly well and still worked, but technology has moved on a lot over the past decade. Kindles are no exception to that and I am glad I have made the swap. The Colorsoft feels much faster and more responsive, whether I'm opening books, browsing my library or navigating the menus. Everything happens almost instantly, whereas my old Kindle now seems quite sluggish in comparison. It’s one of those differences you may not notice until you make the change.

The display is another big improvement. Text looks incredibly crisp and sharp, and the pages seem to have better contrast, making reading even more comfortable. The adjustable warm light is fantastic for reading in the evening and is much easier on the eyes than the cooler lighting on my old Paperwhite. The automatic brightness feature is also something I didn't realise I'd appreciate so much. It adjusts seamlessly depending on the lighting around me, meaning I rarely have to think about changing the brightness manually.

The Kindle Colorsoft feels much faster and more modern

Of course, the headline feature is the colour screen, and I absolutely love it. It genuinely makes using the Kindle feel more enjoyable. Book covers look vibrant instead of being different shades of grey, highlighted passages can appear in different colours, and even simple things like browsing the Kindle Store or looking at recommendations feel far more engaging. I even find myself smiling when the colourful screensaver appears after locking the device. It's a small touch, but it makes the Kindle feel much more modern and premium than my previous model.

The Signature Edition extras are also worthwhile. Wireless charging is incredibly convenient - but be aware that you will need to purchase an extra gadget for £37.99 to actually be able to use this. The main thing for me is that the larger storage gives me plenty of room for thousands of books without worrying about running out of space. The battery life has also been excellent so far. Like previous Kindles, I can go for weeks without needing to recharge it, even with regular daily reading.

Despite the larger display compared to my old Kindle, it's still comfortable to hold for long reading sessions. The waterproof design is another welcome addition, giving me confidence to use it by the pool on holiday or while relaxing in the bath without worrying about accidental splashes. This is perfect for me as bathtime and poolside reading are my favourite.

Is the Kindle Colorsoft worth the extra money?

I do think the biggest question prospective buyers should ask themselves is whether the colour screen is worth the extra money. Compared to the latest Kindle Paperwhite, the Colorsoft is significantly more money. It costs £269.00, whereas the newest generation Kindle Paperwhite is £169. That’s almost £100 less, which is a big difference.

As much as I love having colour, I have to admit that if you mainly read standard fiction novels, like me, where the only colour you'll usually see is the book cover, it's quite difficult to argue that the additional cost is worth it.

Where I think the Colorsoft would really shine is for readers who regularly enjoy comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, children's books, travel guides or any titles packed with photographs, illustrations or coloured diagrams. In those situations, I can completely understand why paying extra for the colour display would be worthwhile, as it transforms the reading experience in a way a traditional black-and-white Kindle simply can't.

My verdict after upgrading to the Kindle Colorsoft from a decade-old Kindle Paperwhite

For me personally, although I mostly read fiction, I still don't regret upgrading. Coming from a Kindle Paperwhite (6th generation) that's been with me for around 12 years, the improvements go far beyond the addition of colour. It's noticeably faster, more refined, easier on the eyes and simply a pleasure to use. The colour display adds a little bit of enjoyment every time I pick it up, and the overall experience feels much more premium.

The fact that my older Kindle had lasted so long, and does still work, reassures me that Kindles are built to last so I do think this was an upgrade and an investment worth making.

If you're upgrading from an older Kindle like I was, I'd say it's definitely worth making the jump. If you're choosing between the latest Paperwhite and the Colorsoft though, I'd think carefully about how much you'll actually benefit from the colour display. For readers who mainly stick to novels, the latest Paperwhite probably offers better value for money. But regardless of that, I absolutely love my new Kindle Colorsoft.

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