New Kindle is a page-turner
Pros: Great waterproofing Adjustable light Cons: Pricey e-reader No case included
Kindle Oasis 2019 From €268 More info: amazon.co.uk ★★★★★
It’s some time since I reviewed a Kindle, but with shorter days I find myself reaching for something to read in the evenings. The Kindle Oasis, the top tier model of the range, has been given a makeover for 2019 and it remains Amazon’s pitch for those seeking some luxury in an e-reader.
Apart from a quickstart guide, there’s just one item packed along with the Oasis, a micro USB cable. This is an older-style USB connection, rather than the new USB-C which most smartphone makers are standardising. Also, there’s no charging plug, so you’ll need to use an existing USB plug socket or charging station.
The entry-level model has 8GB of storage. However, 32GB is an option for those away from home for an extended time and that’s room for thousands of books.
The Oasis has a seven-inch display, much the same dimensions as a paperback book and it’s light at 188g. It’s easy to hold also, thanks to its beautiful aluminium casing, available in two colours.
The display has a 25-LED frontlight, significantly more than other devices in the range. This makes for a comfortable reading experience. The biggest innovation, however, is the addition of an adjustable warm light. This lets you shift the screen tone from white to amber, ideal if you’re reading in the evening. Amazon allows this to be automatic, based on your location, which means the screen warmth will change of its own accord as the sun sets.
The Oasis will survive a dip in up to two metres of fresh water, for 60 minutes. This gives peace of mind you’re reading in the bath, or beside the pool.
The Oasis is glare-free and with 300dpi resolution, the e-ink display is as good as I’ve seen.
It is disappointing that Amazon doesn’t include a case. While it’s a sturdy device, I’d suggest buying a case. The lack of USB-C charging is also irksome, meaning there’s one more cable to pack for a holiday.
There are wonderful features like Word Wise, which loads concise definitions below words and a predictor tool, telling you how long is left in the current chapter or book.
With up to six weeks of battery life, there’s support for audio-books from Audible and Bluetooth connectivity lets you listen to those through headphones.
Lower-cost models do much of what the Oasis does. However, if you want the best e-reading experience possible, head for the Oasis.