Features:

  • Our thinnest and lightest Kindle ever--read even more comfortably for hours
  • All-new ergonomic design with dedicated buttons to effortlessly turn the page
  • Longest Kindle battery life--the included leather charging cover can boost battery to months. Choose from a black, merlot, or walnut removable cover.
  • High-resolution 300 ppi display with crisp, laser quality text. Reads like real paper without glare, even in direct sunlight.
  • Enhanced built-in adjustable light evenly illuminates the screen for perfect reading anywhere, anytime
  • Prime members read free with unlimited access to over a thousand titles
Finally took the plunge...

I've looked at the new Kindles for three years now. My 2nd generation Kindle from 2009 still worked. Every once in awhile the screen will go wonky, but a reset has always cleared that up. The problem is that as I've gotten older my eyes don't work as well as they used to so reading the lighter contrast type on that screen takes away from the joy of reading. I wanted one with a paper white screen and the higher resolution. It had to have an internal light and it had to have actual buttons. Each time, I would look, get disgusted by the prices or the fact that there wasn't one that had all of the features I wanted, and then decide my old one wasn't that bad after all. When the "new Kindle bug" hit this year, I saw the Oasis. I debated for a couple of hours before buying it. Even then, I told myself, I'd probably be returning it. I'm telling you now, I won't be returning it. If it breaks, I would exchange it, but that's about it. This thing is stunning and so freaking small. When the package arrived, I thought they had sent me the wrong thing. The box is no bigger than an audio book on CD. The device feels as light as a feather. I guess it should. It weighs less than half what my other one does and that is without the case on my old one. Add in the case and the weight difference becomes more pronounced. The screen is crisp. The lighting is even. The touch screen is very responsive. It is very easy to hold. The buttons are perfectly positioned. The case is gorgeous. I know some people have a problem with leather cases. If you feel that strongly, then stick to your beliefs. Life is short. Everyone has to choose the path that makes them happy. The way I see it, the animal has already died for some other purpose, probably food. Using the hide to make a case is just ensuring less goes to waste. Not buying the device because of the leather case isn't going to bring the animal back to life, and leather is great for durability. It doesn't dry out and crack like pleather does. I have a leather case on my 7 year old Kindle. It still looks as good as it did 7 years ago. Yes, having to rotate the screen when I switch hands is a bit awkward, but not overly so. In time, I probably won't even notice I'm doing it. Now, I'm not here to tell you that spending this much for a Kindle is for everyone. It isn't. I'm sure the 7th generation model with the same screen is just as gorgeous, especially compared to the one I'm coming from. The low end model is probably better than the one I'm coming from, but I wanted the highest resolution and an evenly lit screen. (No more little wand-like flashlights stuck to the side casting shadows everywhere. No, sir!) All I can say is that this was the Kindle for me. I read 1-2 books a week. When the 2nd generation came out, I spent about $285 for the device, a case, and the light in 2009. I've probably made up the difference in batteries for the light over the years. The Oasis comes with a case and has a screen that is much easier to read for about what I paid 7 years ago. If this one lasts me 7 years, that's only about $4 a month across the lifetime of the device. With Amazon's offer to spread the payments out at 0% interest, it makes it even easier to justify. So, you have to decide if it is worth it for you. I'm happy with the purchase. If a top of the line Kindle is what you're looking for, the Oasis is it.

Cost Aside, I Love this Kindle!

About five years ago, I got my first Kindle after saying I would never want one because I loved holding books so much. The first time I used it, I loved it and have read a lot more e-books than paperbacks and hardcovers. My first Kindle was the basic Kindle E-reader (the one without the back light). I used it a lot and three years ago, I upgraded to a Kindle Paperwhite. I loved that Kindle even more because it has a back light and I took it on many plane rides and car trips. Recently, it started to get a little sluggish and I figured I would be in the market for a new Kindle sometime soon. I planned to replace it with a new Paperwhite when my husband surprised me on Mother's Day and said I could get a Kindle Oasis, which I had been eyeing up since they were released! I never would've bought one for myself, mostly because of the price tag, but since he said I could, I wasn't about to turn him down! The Basics: The Kindle Oasis E-reader is currently the newest type of Kindle available. I chose the option that has Wi-Fi only but you can also choose to get the Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity (so you can download books anytime you have a 3G signal, even when you are away from a wireless signal). Here is some basic information on the Oasis taken from the packaging, as well as my own descriptions in parentheses. -Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity so you can download books) -4 GB (storage for books, which translates to storage for thousands of books) -Daylight Readable (it has a glare-free screen) -300 PPI touch display (pixels per inch, which means it has a very clear resolution on the screen and you can touch the screen) -Built-in light (You can read in the dark without any lights on!) -Page turn buttons (there are two buttons to turn the pages, one is forward and the other is backward. You can also turn the pages by swiping the screen) -Charging cover (You don't have to have the cover on to charge this Kindle since the charging port is on the Kindle itself but attaching the cover while you charge it will increase the battery life) This Kindle is very thin and lightweight, which makes it a great e-reader if you read for long periods of time and/or have wrist problems from holding books and other, heavier Kindles or tablets. Keeping the cover on will increase the battery life of your Kindle and it's said that one charge can last for months (this requires you to turn off your wireless and turn the adjustable light down to a lower setting so the Kindle doesn't use so much battery). The Oasis currently comes in three cover colors to choose from: black, walnut, and merlot. The Kindle itself is only available in black. The screen measures 6 inches diagonally and the Kindle (including the cover) measures 4 3/4 inches by 5 5/8 inches. This product is assembled in China. The device comes charged already, although it may not be fully charged. I was able to set mine up quickly and it was just like the Paperwhite I had. I feel this device is very user-friendly, especially if you've used Kindles before and, even if you haven't, some trial and error has you learning how to use it fairly quickly! I love having two options for page turning since there are buttons and you can swipe the screen backward and forward. This Kindle also makes it easy to use no matter if you are right or left-handed or like to switch hands while reading. When you open it up, it's set up for right-handed people but if you are left-handed or want to hold it in your left hand, simply turn it 180 degrees and the Kindle will adjust for you! You even still have both page turning options. When you open the cover, the Kindle will automatically turn on. If it's been awhile since you last used it, it will take a few seconds to wake up and then you can swipe it to open to the last place you were when you turned it off. To turn it off, you can close the cover or press the power button on top. What's Included: - Kindle Oasis with cover - USB charging cable Please note, there are no instructions included on how to set the Kindle up but, once you turn the Kindle on, it walks you through the setup. To get started, you will need your wireless password and Amazon login information. If your new Kindle is the default device in your household and you want any books to automatically download to your device, you will need to go into the "Manage Your Content and Devices" section and switch it to your new Kindle, whichever one that may be. Otherwise, you can go into your Kindle library and manually download it by tapping the book you want. It will then download to your device and you can begin reading! My Thoughts: I've had this new Kindle for about a month now and I really love it! I love how lightweight it is and it's very comfortable to read for long periods of time. I find that the battery life is about the same as my Paperwhite BUT that's only because I always have the wireless on, the light is turned to a higher setting and I read for more than a half-hour a day, which are the factors that determine how long your battery will last. I typically read for an hour or two a day, sometimes more, and one charge has lasted me a couple weeks so far. This doesn't bother me at all because it's easy enough for me to charge it at home. Speaking of charging, the port requires a micro USB charging cable and my Samsung Galaxy S6 phone uses the same port so I'm able to use the same charger for both devices. This may be an option for you as well or you can use the included charging cable. I've never had the Oasis die completely on me but when it gets low on battery, I can usually have it fully charged within an hour or two, depending on how low the battery was. I feel the Oasis gives me a similar reading experience to when I had my Paperwhite. The screens are the same size and both have back lights, which allow me to read in bed at night without having a light on. The Oasis is lighter, even with the cover on, and I haven't had a problem with my hands or wrists hurting. If you tend to experience wrist pain or have trouble holding a book or other Kindles/tablets, this one may be a great option for you since it's so light. The design makes it comfortable to hold for long periods of time too. Honestly, I love the Oasis and am so glad my husband said I could get one because I never would've purchased one myself. When these first came on the market, I really wanted one but the high price tag prevented me from buying one. I would've been perfectly content to buy another Paperwhite since I had my old one for three years and loved it. I think a big concern for a lot of people is the cost for this Kindle. Is it really worth it? I haven't come to a conclusion on this question myself but here are a couple of things to consider. Do you love to read, especially for long periods of time? Is it uncomfortable to hold books or other tablets while reading? If so, you may want to look into purchasing the Oasis, if it's in your budget. If you want a good Kindle that is a bit more budget-friendly, I recommend the Kindle Paperwhite. I've never had the Voyage so I can't compare that device to the ones I've had. I would've purchased another Paperwhite if my wonderful husband hadn't said I could get the Oasis! In summary, I love the Oasis! It's expensive but great for anyone who reads a lot. It's small enough to stick in a purse, can hold lots of books so you have plenty of options to read, and is comfortable to hold in both your left and right hands. I've only had it for a month and will update this review periodically with any new thoughts and adjust my rating as necessary. I use this Kindle daily so I'm already getting great use out of it. If you are considering buying the Kindle Oasis for yourself or someone else, I think it is a great option. In the pictures I've included, I have one with my old basic Kindle e-reader, the Paperwhite, and the Oasis so you can see how they all compare in size. Overall, this is a great device and I'm very fortunate to have one because I love it!

Wow...Much Better Than I Had Hoped!!!

My current eReader is the Kindle 3 (keyboard), and I still love it. As I've gotten older, the backlighting on my iPhone/iPad has bothered my eyes more and more. To be honest, I spent way more time than I should have researching the Paper White, Voyage and Oasis. My deciding factor...size, and believe it or not, cost. The specs are almost identical, and I was ready to hit the purchase button on the Voyage because I wanted a lighter device. When I added a nice case to my shopping cart, I was within $40 of the Oasis with ads. For me, that made my decision for me. Now that I have it in hand, pics don't do it justice. I love the suede-like feel of the Walnut, and the size is deceiving. It is much smaller in person and crazy light. The built-in lighting nice and even (can't compare to PW or V), and I'll be interested in seeing if it improves my eye strain. First impressions...I give it an A. What would make it an A+? Enabling Bluetooth to integrate with Audible (assuming rumors about the internal chip are true - PLEASE, Amazon!!!) and including the auto-dim feature for lighting similar to the Voyage. I like the physical buttons to turn the page, and really like how it feels in my hand both with and without the case. Overall, I'm super pleased with my purchase! For those interested, the Walnut cover does seem prone to scratches, but you can buff them out pretty easily. Over time, it will more than likely take on a vintage look, and the Walnut is a deeper chocolate brown. Some pics make it look lighter than it is. When I ordered, I kicked myself for not ordering the Merlot. Once I opened it, I changed my mind. The Merlot is beautiful, but given the different texture of the Walnut and rich color, I am so happy with my choice!

A big thank you to Amazon from those of us with arthritis!

I just got this yesterday and already I see a difference in my fingers! The Oasis is so compact ... Light weight ... Easy to hold with either hand! I started reading on Kindles because of the severe degenerative arthritis in my hands. It was almost impossible for me to hold a book for an extended period of time. Started with the first Kindle, you gave reading back to me! But the Oasis is the best by far and worth every penny I spent on it. I do not need pillows to prop it up. I was able to hold it with one hand, especially without the cover. Even better, I was able to go into settings and switch the page turn buttons to make the whole experience even more comfortable. Finally, the smaller size allows my Oasis to fit into even my small purses. It can go everywhere with me! Thank you, Amazon! You've made this customer VERY happy.

The best Kindle ever... and I should know I've tried them all.

I have owned literally (and I mean literally) every Kindle since the first one. All the keyboard versions that followed the first one, the Touch, the Paperwhite, the Voyage. All the Fires since the first one, all the different sizes from 10" to 6" and every gen in between. (I know, I am a little crazy.) Many of these are still in use among family members and my habit was to switch between Fires depending on mood. My last attempt was an iPad Mini, used only as an eReader, and for the first time in many years I bought books from somewhere other than Amazon, because I found the iBooks experience so pleasant. Bottom line... I was always seeking a Kindle that fit all my needs as a book and nothing more. Stop the press. I have found it. Lets put a little context around this. I eventually migrated to the Fires because although I liked the eInk for reading, I also liked to see more detail on book covers and black and white didn't seem to offer that. The Paperwhite and it's successors got closer, so that even without color the detail was sufficient to make browsing "by cover" satisfactory (something I have always done, even with real books). Still though, what I didn't like about the eInk versions was the inability to render a page without big gaps between words or even truncated lines when there was a big or hyphenated word in the line. I don't know whether it is just coincidence that I haven't seen that yet with the Oasis, or whether the "Amazon Ember" font helps (I like this new font a lot) or whether it has been specifically addressed in the newer OS. Whatever, I have not seen that yet and it removes one of my reasons for preferring a tablet over an eReader. First impressions... not great. It was asymmetrical which (from an aesthetics point of view) really bothered me and I thought it seemed really expensive for an eInk eReader. So first impressions were that it was ugly, expensive and anyway still B&W. Still, as apparently I have a Kindle fetish, I wanted to lay my hands on it. So I read the reviews. I began to understand that the asymmetry was intentional, supposedly giving it the balance of a small book and making it easy to hold and read at varying angles and also one handed. The comments on the price made sense. It is true that by the time you get a Paperwhite or a Voyage and add a nice cover, the price difference isn't that much. The battery life and the charging cover tipped the scale. I thought I must at least try this. Second impressions... not a lot better. When the box arrived it seemed so SMALL! I opened the box and the device seemed SQUARE (I actually said out loud - to no-one in particular - "yikes, its square!"). I wasn't feeling it. Still, its here now. Soldier on. Lasting impressions... I LOVE it. LOOOOVVVVEEE it. As mentioned, the nit about the word spacing seems to be taken care of. Do I love it enough to put up with it if it isn't? Actually, yes. Why? It is just so, so comfortable to hold. I have never been a one handed reader... all of a sudden I am. I have been reading it that way all weekend. I love that you change hands and the aspect changes with you so you can press the buttons left or right handed, making it easy to turn pages without even moving your hand. It is clever that whichever way you set up the buttons (you can change the setting - top/forward, bottom/back or vice versa) that stays the same whichever way up you hold the device. And of course it really is nice to have buttons. Although you can use the touch screen to turn pages, the buttons are very satisfying and that asymmetrical thing? It gives them a place to live and a way for you to hold the device comfortably without touching the screen. The "hump" really does work as a comfortable place to hold and a way to balance the device. It is just incredibly easy to hold and there doesn't seem to be a wrong angle to hold it, for comfort or for visibility. Lets talk about the role of the cover for a minute. I have seen reviews about the cover eliminating the benefits of design (weight, thinness and one handed reading) and it does - a little bit. With the cover on it is slightly heavier and slightly less well balance for one handed reading. Just slightly. Not enough to impact the comfort or put you back to the feel of a regular Paperwhite or Voyage. But here's the thing. The cover just snaps on and off magnetically. What I have found is that if you just snap the cover off for reading and snap it back on when you are done, its easy and you get the best of both worlds... the benefits of a light, thin, balanced design and the screen protection AND charging capability of the cover. It is easy and quick to do unlike other device covers and cases, where you are wrestling to get them off and on. Lets talk the cover from a protective point of view. Would it protect from a drop? Not sure. It unsnaps so easily it is possible that it would come loose if you dropped it, exposing the device to damage. About 1/3rd of the device (the "hump") is not inside the cover anyway, as the "hump" is where it snaps in, making the back flat when the cover is on. Bottom line, you can read comfortably with the cover on if you wish. It really doesn't make it a lot thicker or heavier and the one handed thing is only slightly less comfortable. Or, it is "a snap" to quickly remove/replace the cover if you prefer a naked device and want to take full advantage of the design. I have been using it both ways. Is the cover leather? I think so and if you do read with the cover on and folded back, the micro fiber on the inside feels really nice. One small irritant is that the other color options are not yet available. I originally tried ordering the Merlot and was told it wouldn't be available until September! That's not a huge deal except it does appear that you can't order the device without the cover at this time. So it would have been September before I got the device too. Also, there is a slight concern that if something were to happen to the cover and you wanted to replace it, it may be difficult as I can't see where you can order a cover by itself... at least not yet. On a side note, there are already plenty of other manufacturers offering covers in various colors, but they don't see to also charge the device (unless I am missing something?) The Oasis is ridiculously small, thin & light and this makes it a breeze to take with you. Reading in the broadest daylight is perfect (not the case with Fires or iPads of course) but also seems better than the Paperwhite or Voyage. I know the resolution is the same, but the lighting design is slightly different I believe... could that be why? Don't know, but I do know I did find the other eInk versions a bit reflective in bright light and I don't find the Oasis is at all. Some have commented about its inability to auto-adjust the light. I haven't found that a problem, but then I always turned that off on the Voyage so maybe I am not the best judge. Maybe it was left out of the functionality for the Oasis because most people prefer to set their own light level? Anyway for me, this was a non issue and its so easy to adjust the light it doesn't seem like a big deal to me anyway. I really think this is THE Kindle for me. I really love it.

My new favorite thing! The absolute best ereader to date.

It almost feels wrong how much I love this thing. I can't keep my hands off its lightweight cuteness, and oh, the SMELL!!! I love the smell of real leather and I'm not ashamed to tell you, I can't pick it up without sniffing it! This is my eighth dedicated ereader and no doubt my favorite. Did I "need" a $290+ ereader? No, but who does? I love to read (Kindles only - no more DTB for me - ever) and why not have a luxury, top-of-the-line device for my very favorite pastime? As you can tell, I've been working on justifying this "extravagant" expense for a while. After receiving my new Oasis two days ago, I can honestly say it's worth every penny. It does help that I was able to pass my Voyage down to my husband so he could have a "new" Kindle too! I decided on the Merlot cover and am totally I pleased with that decision as well. The color is deeper and richer than it appears in pictures. The outside of the case is soft and smooth with no hint of the pebbled texture I was expecting (based on the photos). The inside of the case is is velvety soft. It easily attaches/detaches magnetically, but also stays firmly connected while reading with the cover on. It's designed and fitted for the Oasis, making it the perfect cover (I have been buying third party covers for my Kindles, so I am especially appreciating this one). Many of the early critics of the Oasis were bashing the asymmetrical design, but that's really one of the best things about it! It's perfectly balanced for one-handed reading with plenty of holding space that doesn't cause accidental page turns or button presses. And speaking of the buttons...my absolute favorite thing is the buttons! I much prefer the "clicky" feel of the Oasis buttons to the haptic buttons on the Voyage. My thumb fits perfectly between the top and bottom button so I can lean slightly up to page forward, and down to page back (easily reservable in settings). When you flip the Oasis to read with the opposite hand, the buttons retain the settings you specify (top is still forward and bottom is still back, for example). The accelerometer that flips the page so you can read with the opposite hand is speedy, so you barely notice it if you like to switch hands frequently. The screen is where the magic happens. Amazon has done an excellent job of perfecting the screen starting with the latest version of the Paperweight, followed by the Voyage, and continuing with the Oasis. In comparing my Voyage to my Oasis, the quality is the same, but I can see a difference in the brightness/contrast due to the additional LEDs in the Oasis. I also see the Oasis as being slightly warmer than the Voyage (which I like). The only negative thing I can say about the Oasis is that there is a slight delay (about 3-4 seconds) before you can change pages when first opening the cover as it comes out of hibernation mode (after it's been sitting idle for a while). I understand this is to preserve battery life when it's in standby mode, but I think I would rather charge it more frequently to have instant access. It's not a huge deal, just something worth mentioning. If you are an avid reader and enjoy having the best ereader money can buy, you won't regret buying the Oasis.

Amazing!

The Oasis is simply amazing. Coming from a Paperwhite it is a definite upgrade. It is much lighter, and fits perfectly in one hand. My hands are small and dainty, so I love that I was able to repurpose the buttons - and oh, how I missed the buttons! This kindle fits perfectly balanced in one hand, with my thumb resting on the (bottom for me) button for easy seamless page turns. It took 2 mins to set up and download 5 books and I have not experienced the light variance or sluggishness that others have mentioned. When with the cover, all I have to do is flip it open and I'm instantaneously on the page I was reading when I closed it. When without the cover, I do have to press the button on top, but that's also quick and easy. It never even takes a second. I haven't had it long enough to see how long the battery lasts, but if it's unacceptable I will update this review. All in all, if you can afford it, definitely get it! Edit: Now that I've had it a few days, I can confidently tell you not to worry about the battery. Without the case, I read for approximately 8 hours - wifi off and light between 7-12). I put it in the case to charge, and then was pleasantly surprised that the case charged the kindle up to 100%, but only went down to 85% itself. This means I can easily recharge the kindle 4-5 times from the case alone without ever plugging it in! I wasn't expecting that :)

Both are great products. The main difference is the price

I have had my new Kindle Oasis for about two weeks now. I also have had the Kindle Paperwhite for a couple of years. Both are great products. The main difference is the price. You could buy three Paperwhites for the price of the Oasis. The other differences: Both have crisp, clear type with the Oasis just a bit sharper and clearer. The Paperwhite is heavier but in actual use that does not seem to be an issue. And its weight is most likely due to the bigger battery inside. The Paperwhite will stay charged longer than the Oasis by itself. (The handsome leather cover for the Oasis contains a supplementary battery that makes the whole thing equal to the Paperwhite's battery life.) The Paperwhite case has more texture making it easier to hold. The Oasis has a slick plastic case. Overall, I'm happy with the Oasis but if I were buying my first Kindle I would buy the Paperwhite. The difference in the two products is really not worth almost $200. UPDATE: It's the one year anniversary of my Kindle Oasis and I'm raising its rating to 5 stars. It is a joy to use...especially in bed where I do a great deal of my reading. I charge it once every two weeks and travel with just the Oasis, leaving the charger home. I've become a great one-hand reader and just love the device. And, after a year it still looks brand-new.

Its all about the hardware!

This is my third kindle. I still have my 2nd Gen Kindle Keyboard and I also own a Paperwhite 2nd Gen that is currently missing in action. I know it is somewhere in my house hiding in a bag or something. I am an avid reader and it is killing me to not have an e-reader so I decided to take the plunge on the Oasis with my thought being that if my perfectly good Paperwhite resurfaces, I would simply return the Oasis if I didn't love it. If I did love it and, could justify the price, I would put my Paperwhite on eBay where they appear to be getting pretty good money with a case. Well, if I ever find my Paperwhite, it is going on eBay for sure! Let's get this out of the way...yes, the Oasis is expensive. I read a bunch of reviews from the "experts" before I pulled the trigger. They all basically say the same thing: The Oasis is the best e-reader ever made, if you can afford it. Or, my personal favorite, "it's the best e-reader for the 1%." I am not in the 1%. They all feel that the price butts up too closely to the iPad mini and other devices that do far more. When I bought my Paperwhite originally, I let this thought process deter me from the Oasis. I mean what is Amazon thinking trying to sell a $300 e-reader?? Here is what they are thinking and really where I think many of the expert reviews missed the point. Yes, the Paperwhite does the exact same thing as the Oasis and, frankly, it does it just as well. What is missing in that thinking is just how important the form factor of an e-reader is. The actual hardware in this device is a game changer. It is super thin, lightweight, and just feels great in your hand. It is so much smaller that my wife didn't believe that it was the same size screen as the Paperwhite until she compared them side by side. When you have them side by side, the Paperwhite looks pre-historic. Additionally, the reintroduction of the physical buttons is something I missed with the Paperwhite. The design of the battery case and how it attaches magnetically to the Oasis is brilliant. I think Steve Jobs himself would have very much appreciated how thoughtful and well put together the Oasis is. Plus, the enhanced backlighting is perfect. It is difficult for me to imagine that too many folks could take the plunge on an Oasis and not feel like they got their monies worth. The Voyage was out of the question, given the delta in price after buying a case was approximately $30.To get another Paperwhite with a case would have saved me around $120. While that isn't insignificant, after owning both I can say, without hesitation, that the Oasis is worth the extra money on every level. I would encourage anyone that is a die hard reader to take the plunge on the Oasis. It isn't for the 1%, it's built for those of us that are passionate about their books. Well done Amazon. I am glad I finally had the guts to make the investment! *Update: I found my paperwhite. Under my bed somehow? Anyway, gifting to my oldest son. I still think the Oasis was worth the investment. Best eReader on the planet!

Full Reviews