Amazon Adds Cheaper Kindle Colorsoft, Kids Model

Amazon has launched more affordable Colorsoft e-readers, including a new 16GB model at $250 and its first-ever Kindle Colorsoft Kids edition at $270. Both devices feature a 7-inch color E Ink display and long battery life, but the lower-priced models omit features like wireless charging and automatic front light adjustment, and have a lower pixel density compared to more premium versions. The Kids edition includes a protective cover, a two-year warranty, and a year of Amazon Kids+ for educational content and parental controls. Early technical issues, such as yellow bands on the display, have reportedly been resolved. These releases are aimed at making color e-readers more accessible, particularly for comic, manga, and children's book readers. However, despite the price drop, they remain more expensive than some competitors and have shorter battery life than Amazon's monochrome Kindles.