Amazon launches waterproof, 7-inch $250 Kindle Oasis with metal chassis

Online retailer Amazon continues to improve its black-and-white e-ink Kindle reader lineup, with its latest model being a new $250 Kindle Oasis with 7-inch display and a waterproof design.

Hailing it as the "most advanced Kindle e-reader ever," the next-generation Kindle Oasis is the first waterproof Kindle, with a rating of IPX8.

Priced at $249.99, the new Kindle Oasis is now available for preorder. It begins shipping to customers at the end of the month, on Oct. 31.

The 7-inch e-ink display features a 300 pixel-per-inch density that Amazon says fits over 30 percent more words per page. Improved internal hardware also allows for the fastest page turns of any Kindle e-reader.

The Kindle Oasis has a larger bezel on one side with page turn buttons, allowing for easy use when holding with one hand. When rotated, the Oasis screen automatically turns to suit the user's orientation. The display is also a touchscreen.

The new Oasis has also been improved with the strongest cover glass Amazon has used to date, and it has a new aluminum chassis. Even with those changes, it tapers to a 3.4-millimeter-thin design and weighs 194 grams, which is 10 less than the Kindle Paperwhite.

The entry-level $250 model features 8 gigabytes of storage, doubling that of the first Kindle Oasis. Capacity can be increased to 32 gigabytes for $280 — Â though both price points come "with special offers."

Buyers who want to opt out from Amazon advertising will pay $270 for the 8-gigabyte model, and $300 for the 32-gigabyte capacity.

In addition, a $350 ariant with free cellular connectivity includes 32 gigabytes of storage and lacks "special offers."

As with other Kindle hardware, the new Oasis syncs with other platforms and devices, including the Kindle app for Apple's iOS, through what Amazon dubs its Whispersync technology.

"Ten years ago, we introduced our first Kindle with the mission of delivering any book ever written in 60 seconds or less," said Dave Limp, Senior Vice President, Amazon Devices and Services. "With a larger 7-inch, 300 ppi display, waterproof design, and Audible built right in, the all-new Kindle Oasis is our most advanced Kindle ever. Its thin, light, and waterproof design allows readers to stay engaged in the author's world in even more places than ever before."

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18 Comments

slurpy 5388 comments · 15 Years

About 7 years ago

$250 for an 8GB, black and white tablet that can pretty much do nothing besides black text on a page, and it STILL comes with built in advertising? Holy shit.

NY1822 620 comments · 8 Years

baka-dubbs 179 comments · 13 Years

slurpy said:

$250 for an 8GB, black and white tablet that can pretty much do nothing besides black text on a page, and it STILL comes with built in advertising? Holy shit.

Yup, and I just pre-ordered the $350 32GB with free cellular. The thing about a Kindle is its a single purpose device, but its really good at its one purpose. I totally get why people would consider this a rip off, but if you are an avid reader who travels, I can't imagine a better device. I read on my phone in a pinch, but I can read on my Kindle for an entire trip and never have to recharge, no eye strain and I can carry my entire library with me. Sure, it duplicates capabilities of other devices, but its much better at that one task than the other devices. That being said, the Kindle paperwhite is a much better device for most people, and if your a casual reader(ie maybe a book or less a month) then just use your iPhone or iPad(or go old school and buy a physical book).

gmgravytrain 883 comments · 8 Years

I'm somewhat surprised Kindles are still selling in quantity. I have a much older Kindle and it's nice to have if you just want to read a book, but I simply had the feeling the Kindle's best days have passed. Sort of like how the iPod lost favor to the iPhone. Believe me, I'm not saying the Kindle is no longer useful or anything like that. More power to Amazon if Kindles are still selling well. Still... I never see anyone using Kindles and most consumers usually have their noses hovering above their generic smartphones which appear to be everyone's go-to device. After buying some expensive flagship smartphone, I can't actually imagine someone also buying a Kindle. I suppose there's a Kindle market for those who want to upgrade from older Kindles, however, I won't be one of those people. This new Kindle seems like a sweet device, though.

tzeshan 2350 comments · 14 Years

gmgravytrain said:

I'm somewhat surprised Kindles are still selling in quantity. I have a much older Kindle and it's nice to have if you just want to read a book, but I simply had the feeling the Kindle's best days have passed. Sort of like how the iPod lost favor to the iPhone. Believe me, I'm not saying the Kindle is no longer useful or anything like that. More power to Amazon if Kindles are still selling well. Still... I never see anyone using Kindles and most consumers usually have their noses hovering above their generic smartphones which appear to be everyone's go-to device. After buying some expensive flagship smartphone, I can't actually imagine someone also buying a Kindle. I suppose there's a Kindle market for those who want to upgrade from older Kindles, however, I won't be one of those people. This new Kindle seems like a sweet device, though.

I have two young grandsons. I do not want them to surf internet easily. I want to give them just readers. The iPad does not seem to serve this purpose.