Get ready to rethink your reading and writing experience – Amazon has just shipped its highly anticipated Kindle Scribe models, including the groundbreaking Kindle Scribe Colorsoft. But here’s where it gets controversial: are these premium e-readers worth their hefty price tags? Let’s dive in.
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Back in September, Amazon unveiled three new Kindle Scribe models, headlined by the flagship Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, at its fall product launch event (https://www.cnet.com/news-live/amazon-devices-and-services-event-2025-live-updates-new-ring-alexa-fire-tv-echo-reveals/). The company promised the models with front lights would arrive in time for the holidays, and true to their word, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft ($630) and Kindle Scribe with Front Light ($500) are now available. The entry-level Kindle Scribe without Front Light ($430) is still listed as 'coming soon,' expected early 2026.
And this is the part most people miss: These devices aren’t just incremental upgrades. Executive Editor David Carnoy, a seasoned expert in e-readers and tech since 2000, has already received review samples and will be putting them to the test. With a background in reviewing everything from headphones to mobile accessories, and as the author of novels like Knife Music and The Big Exit, David brings a unique perspective to the table.
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, in particular, has raised eyebrows with its $630 price tag—almost identical to reMarkable's Paper Pro E Ink tablet (https://remarkable.pxf.io/c/159047/1776866/20972). But Amazon justifies the cost with several key upgrades. The new Scribes feature an 11-inch screen (up from 10.2 inches) housed in a similar chassis, thanks to slimmer bezels and a redesigned 'display stack' with mini-LED lighting. They’re also lighter (400 grams vs. 430 grams) and thinner (5.4mm), powered by a custom MediaTek processor promising a 40% performance boost. But here’s the catch: unlike the Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Colorsoft, none of these models are waterproof.
One issue that plagued last year’s Kindle Colorsoft was faint yellow tinging on the display, especially noticeable with the front light on. Amazon paused shipments to address the problem, but the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft appears to have resolved this—or at least made it barely noticeable (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZJNbozX8PQE). The new display design is said to eliminate this flaw, though some enthusiasts argue it was inherent to the Colorsoft’s original design.
After unboxing the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, the first thing I checked was for any yellow tinging. Even with the 'vivid' color setting and the front light maxed out, I didn’t spot any. Personally, I prefer a cooler light setting (around 7 or 8 on the warmth scale), which leans toward the whiter/bluer end of the spectrum.
Amazon highlights these upgrades:
- A new front light system with miniaturized LEDs for uniform lighting and narrower bezels.
- Texture-molded glass to improve pen friction on the screen.
- A rearchitected display stack to minimize parallax, making writing feel more natural.
- A MediaTek quad-core chip, more memory, and custom Oxide display technology for faster performance.
While these features are impressive, the question remains: Are they enough to justify the price? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. For now, check out my hands-on first take (https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/i-go-hands-on-with-the-new-kindle-scribe-colorsoft-is-it-worth-630/) and stay tuned for the full review. Don’t forget to add CNET (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=cnet.com) as a preferred Google source for more unbiased tech insights!
