Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021) FAQs – everything you asked about, answered

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Here are the most popular Google search phrases related to the new Kindle Paperwhite 5, together with brief answers accompanied by charts, comparisons, and visualizations.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 has finally arrived. The most popular Amazon e-reader has not been updated since almost three years.

Was it worth waiting for? Kindle fans rushed to Google to learn more about the new device.

I have collected the most popular search phrases and topics from Google Web Search and Trends, and compiled a handy, visual rich list of questions and answers.

I hope this list will help you make a more thoughtful decision about which Kindle Paperwhite 5 variant to buy and when – if at all.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 – table of content:

• What are the main benefits of Kindle Paperwhite 5?
• What are the pros and cons of Kindle Paperwhite 5?
• How big is Kindle Paperwhite 5?
• What is the release date of Kindle Paperwhite 5?
• How to pre-order Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021)?
• What’s the difference between the Regular and Signature edition?
• What is Kindle Paperwhite Kids?
• Is Paperwhite 5 Signature Edition worth it?
• Is Paperwhite 5 Signature wireless charging worth the money?
• Kindle Paperwhite 5 or Fire HD 8?
• Which generation is Kindle Paperwhite 2021?
• Is Kindle Paperwhite 5 available in White?
• Is there a cellular version of Kindle Paperwhite 5?
• Is Kindle Unlimited free with Paperwhite 5?
• What does Climate Pledge Friendly mean?
• Is my Amazon charger compatible with Paperwhite 5?
• Will my current case fit Kindle Paperwhite 5?
• Are original Kindle Paperwhite 5 cases worth buying?
• What Paperwhite 5 deals to expect on Black Friday 2021?
• What are Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021) specs?

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Kindle Paperwhite 5 questions & answers

What are the main benefits of Kindle Paperwhite 5?

Here are the most important improvements:

1. Bigger 6.8-inch display

The new display is 13% larger than in the previous-generation Kindle Paperwhite, released in 2018. Its diagonal length (the distance between opposite corners) is 6.8 inches, instead of 6. Despite the larger display, Kindle Paperwhite 5 is not significantly bigger than the previous-generation model.

Amazon doesn’t reveal information about screen resolution, but with the pixel density at 300 ppi and similar ratio as the earlier model, the 2021 Paperwhite should have the screen resolution of at least 1600 × 1200 px. Any information about 1430 × 1080 px resolution is false – it would mean the pixel density were 264 ppi.

2. Adjustable warm light

Kindle Paperwhite 5 is the second Kindle model, after Oasis, to get the warm light. In the evening, you can switch from blue light to a warmer tone to reduce eye strain and minimize the negative effect on sleep.

3. USB-C port

Paperwhite 5 is the first Kindle to sport the USB-C port for faster charging and data transfer. It’s a useful feature if you add own books and audiobooks via the cable. Recharging via USB-C charger takes less than 3 hours.

4. Up to 10 weeks on a single battery charge

The battery life was extended from 6 weeks in the previous model to even 10 weeks in the 5th-generation Paperwhite. The battery life is based on a half hour of reading per day, with Wi-Fi connection turned off, and the brightness level set at 13.

5. Climate friendly product

Kindle Paperwhite 5 is one of the first Amazon devices to bear Climate Pledge Friendly badge. It’s made with 60% post-consumer recycled plastics and 70% recycled magnesium. Plus, 95% of the packaging is made of recycled or responsibly managed sources.

6. Three variants are available

Besides the regular variant, Amazon offers a Signature Edition (which offers two exclusive features: auto-adjusting front light and wireless charging), and Paperwhite Kids, which is basically a kid-friendly bundle.

What are the pros and cons of Kindle Paperwhite 5?

The newest 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite has its disadvantages, too. It’s missing a few features, such as speakers or a headphone jack, suitable for listening to audiobooks. Plus, there is no cellular version.

Below, I have put together the most important benefits and disadvantages of Kindle Paperwhite 5.

Pros and cons of Kindle Paperwhite 5

How big is Kindle Paperwhite 5?

The new Paperwhite has a considerably larger screen, but it doesn’t mean it’s considerably larger than the previous generation model. In fact, it is higher only by 7 millimeters (174 vs. 167 mm).

To help you see the real difference in size, I have prepared a few visualizations that show Amazon devices side by side.

As you will see, the Oasis 3 is unexpectedly small compared to the new Paperwhite 5. It’s due to a misleading font size of the text displayed on the Oasis. The text is tiny. When there is no other reference, it suggests that the display is very large.

What is the release date of Kindle Paperwhite 5?

The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite (5th-generation) was announced by Amazon on September 21, 2021, and the device can be pre-ordered since that day.

The official release date of Kindle Paperwhite 5 (both the Regular and Signature variants) is October 27, 2021. If you have pre-ordered the 5th-generation Paperwhite, it will be shipped that day the soonest, so you can expect it to arrive around Halloween 2021 or in early November.

How to pre-order Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021)?

You can pre-order the 5th-generation Kindle Paperwhite on Amazon.

What you have to keep in mind is that the two versions (Regular and Signature – described later in this overview) are so different that they are given separate product identification numbers.

Order Kindle Paperwhite 5 Regular on Amazon

• Larger 6.8-inch display
• Adjustable warm light
• USB-C port for faster charging and data transfer
• Battery life extended to even 10 weeks

Order Kindle Paperwhite 5 Signature on Amazon

Everything in the Regular version plus:

• Auto-adjusting front light
• Wireless charging

If you are a frequent Best Buy customer, you can also pre-order the 5th-generation Paperwhite here:

• Order Paperwhite 5 Regular on Best Buy – the same price as on Amazon
• Order Paperwhite 5 Signature on Best Buy – the same price as on Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite 5 – what’s the difference between the Regular and Signature edition?

Signature Edition is not just a variant with a bigger internal memory. It offers two features that are not available in the Regular variant:

▸ Auto-adjusting front light – there is no need to manually increase or decrease the brightness level when the light conditions around you change.

▸ Wireless charging – you can use your current charging station or buy a dedicated Wireless Charging Dock.

Plus, memory sizes (8 and 32 GB) are now exclusive to each variant. In other words:

• There is no 32 GB option of the Regular variant.
• There is no 8 GB option of the Signature variant.

In the table below, you will see compared all the main features of Kindle Paperwhite 5 Regular vs Signature Edition.

What is Kindle Paperwhite Kids?

Amazon lists it as a third variant of the 2021 Kindle Paperwhite 5, but it’s not a separate model with different features but a product bundle.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 Kids bundle includes four elements:

• Kindle Paperwhite 5 Regular – worth $139.99
• 1 year of Amazon Kids+ digital subscription free of charge – the subscription costs $2.99 per month
• Kid-friendly cover available in three colors: Black, Robot Dreams, Trees – an original Amazon case cover purchased separately would cost you $29.99.
• 2-year worry-free guarantee – if the device breaks, you can return it, and Amazon will replace it for free without any questions asked.

The regular price of Kindle Paperwhite 5 Kids is $159.99, which is only $20 more than for the regular variant. Amazon claims the total value of all elements bought separately is up to $269.

If you bought the black variant for yourself, you would save $10 on the original cover (which costs $30) alone and have a worry-free guarantee for two years. A good solution if you prefer not to wait for cheaper third-party case covers.

Is Paperwhite 5 Signature Edition worth it?

The Signature edition costs $50 more ($190 instead of $140). For that price, you get:

• Wireless charging
• Auto-adjusting front light
• 32 GB of internal memory

Ask yourself a question: how often do I charge my current Kindle? Is it every day? Definitely not. Why should you overpay for the feature you will not heavily use?

Ask yourself another question: how often do I have to adjust the display brightness in my current Kindle? Do you have to do it a few times during a single reading session?

I have the brightness set at 13, and it works perfectly. If I change the brightness, it’s more about playing with the settings than the actual need to see the text more clearly.

The last thing is memory size. How much memory do you have on your current Kindle? Do you listen to audiobooks on your Kindle? If you do, you may need the 32 GB version. Otherwise, the 8 GB is more than enough.

Let’s compare memory sizes:

▸ 8 GB in Paperwhite 5 Regular – approximately 6 GB is available to the user. It’s enough to hold thousands of ebooks or over 35 Audible audiobooks.

▸ 32 GB in Paperwhite 5 Signature – approximately 27 GB is available to the user. Enough for thousands of ebooks or over 160 Audible audiobooks.

As you see, “Is Paperwhite 5 Signature Edition worth it?” is a personal question, and no one else can answer it better than yourself.

Here is my personal answer:

▸ I don’t need wireless charging because I usually recharge the Kindle every two or three weeks.

▸ I don’t need and auto-adjusting front light because I usually read in the evening, and the light is fixed.

▸ I don’t need 32 GB of internal memory because I keep on my Kindle a limited number of ebooks. It’s because I don’t want to feel overwhelmed with a view of too many books I don’t have time to read. Having 20-30 titles is the number of books to read I feel comfortable with.

▸ I have already pre-ordered Kindle Paperwhite 5 – the Regular version.

Is Paperwhite 5 Signature wireless charging worth the money?

Signature comes with wireless charging. You will be able to use your current wireless charging station or pad (if you have one) or buy an official Wireless Charging Dock for Kindle Paperwhite 5 Signature. The dock costs $29.99.

What is wireless charging?

The energy needed to recharge a device is transferred not through the cable but between charging coils located both in the device (such as Kindle Signature) and charger (such as Wireless Charging Dock), using electromagnetic induction.

How does Wireless Charging Dock work?

The charging dock includes a stand where charging coils are hidden. It will start charging the Kindle the moment you place the device on the dock.

The charging dock works if you place the Kindle with a case on it. Any case that is thinner than 4 millimeters will not interrupt the wireless charging process.

Is wireless charging in Signature edition worth it?

The biggest question is how often you would use the wireless charging. Why would you buy a $30 accessory that, despite its great look, will be used every few weeks?

If you are not an avid book reader who is using the Kindle for several hours a day, you should not buy the charging dock. And think whether you need the Signature Edition at all.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 or Fire HD 8?

Now, when the Kindle comes with an almost 7-inch display, you may wonder whether it makes sense to consider the Fire tablet as an e-reading device. Especially that the Fire comes with a few important features.

Fire HD 8 features that are not available in Paperwhite 5

• 3.5 mm stereo jack – there is no need to pair and use rechargeable Bluetooth speakers or headphones to listen to audiobooks
• Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos technology – there is no need to use external speakers at all. The Fire has them already.
• 32 GB memory in the entry-level version – you can buy Fire HD 8 with 32 GB for $89.99, instead of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature for $189.99.
• microSD card slot – if you want to upload even more ebooks and audiobooks, you can do it using a microSD card. Cards with a storage up to 1 TB are supported.

However, you have to keep in mind all the disadvantages of a Fire HD 8 (and a tablet in general) as an ebook reader or audiobook player.

Fire HD 8 disadvantages

• LCD screen – opposite to e-paper display in Kindle Paperwhite 5, it emits light directly into your face, making your eyes strain quicker.
• Too many distractions – with plenty of apps and notifications, it will be more difficult for you to focus on reading.
• Short battery life – you can use the tablet for up to 12 hours, and you should start looking for a charger.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 vs. Fire HD 8 battery life

The general opinion is that the e-reader can be recharged once in a few weeks, while the tablet has to be plugged in every night.

Let’s check it out.

Amazon claims, the Paperwhite 5 battery can last up to 10 weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day, with Wi-Fi connection turned off, and the brightness level set at 13.

10 weeks × 7 days × 0.5 hours = 35 hours

When we compare continuous use in hours, the comparison looks so different:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 – up to 12 hours.
• Kindle Paperwhite 6.8 – up to 35 hours.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 can run on a single battery charge only three times longer than Amazon Fire HD 8. Not a stunning difference.

Below, you will see the main features of the two devices compared side by side.

Which generation is Kindle Paperwhite 2021?

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite released in October 2021 is:

• 11th-generation model in the overall Amazon Kindle generation timeline.
• 5th-generation model in the Paperwhite specific generation timeline.

When it comes to Amazon devices, the generation numbering is confusing, so here are a few facts that will help you embrace it.

Overall Kindle generation number

The source of confusion is the official generation numbering. Amazon applies the same generation number to a few devices that share common features.

For instance, the 10th generation number was applied to the following devices:

• Kindle Paperwhite released in October 2018
• Basic Kindle released in April 2019
• Kindle Oasis released in July 2019

The 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite is the first 11th-generation Kindle model. We can assume that the next basic Kindle will also be officially called 11th-generation. The Same with Oasis 4.

As you see, the official generation numbering is quite useless. You can’t use it to find related reviews on the web, as well as compatible cases or accessories.

That’s why, there is another, unofficial numbering.

Model specific generation number

This numbering is used by users, customers, and basically everyone who has something to do with the Kindle.

The rule is simple: generation should be applied to every single Kindle model. So, there is Kindle Paperwhite 4 and Oasis 2 or 3. And there is Paperwhite 5.

Is Kindle Paperwhite 5 available in White?

No. So far, the only body color that’s available is black, for both the Regular and Signature editions.

Can we see the white Kindle Paperwhite at all? It’s possible. However, it’s more probable that Amazon will introduce a premium color and finish for the Signature variant, similar to Amazon Fire HD 8.

Even if the white Kindle Paperwhite 5 will be released, I think the glass front will remain black. The E-ink display (which looks white against black, but in fact is not 100% white) would look dirty when surrounded by white bezel.

Is there a cellular version of Kindle Paperwhite 5?

The previous Kindle Paperwhite was offered in five versions. One of them featured cellular connectivity.

Were you expecting to see the cellular variant in the new Kindle Paperwhite 5 range? Bad news is there isn’t any, even in the Signature Edition line.

Is Kindle Unlimited free with Paperwhite 5?

Unfortunately, there is no free Kindle Unlimited offer for Kindle Paperwhite 2021.

The previous model was bundled with a Kindle Unlimited offer that enabled you to use the subscription for six months free of charge.

Six months of the service that costs $9.99 a month was a saving of $60. You were able to buy the 2018 Paperwhite for little more than half of its price.

I hope to see free Kindle Unlimited plans to be added to Kindle Paperwhite 5 for Black Friday 2021.

Paperwhite 5 – what does Climate Pledge Friendly mean?

Kindle Paperwhite 5 is one of the first Amazon devices to have a Climate Pledge Friendly badge.

Climate Pledge Friendly uses sustainability certifications to highlight products that support our commitment to help preserve the natural world.

The device is made with 60% post-consumer recycled plastics and 70% recycled magnesium. 95% of the packaging is made of recycled sources or materials from responsibly managed forests.

Is my Amazon charger compatible with Kindle Paperwhite 5?

In the Kindle Paperwhite 2021 box, you will find a USB-C charging cable, but not a charger.

Amazon’s official 9W power charger is on a list of accessories that are compatible with Paperwhite 6.8. It means that you will be able to use it, just like any other power adapter that sports a standard USB port.

Therefore, I assume that the included cable has a USB-C port on one end, and a standard USB on the other.

Will my current case fit Kindle Paperwhite 5?

No. It’s because the 2021 Paperwhite has different dimensions and proportions than the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite 4.

You can do one of the following:

▸ Buy an official case – the newest model is accompanied by a new range of cases. You can choose not only between fabric and leather variants.

▸ Wait for third-party case covers – it may take a few weeks to see first cases from third-party producers such as MoKo or Fintie. I will add the most reliable and interesting designs to our list of the best Kindle case covers to buy this year.

▸ Use a sleeve – you can use a sleeve until you buy the final case. Any sleeve that is compatible with 7-inch tablet (for instance for Fire 7) is more than enough to accommodate Paperwhite 6.8.

Are original Kindle Paperwhite 5 cases worth buying?

Many customers don’t search for other options, and buy original Amazon cases together with the Kindle.

Official cases cost 50-100% more than third-party alternatives, but if you want to give your tablet the protection the moment it arrives, it’s the only option in the first weeks after the release.

What are official case covers for Kindle Paperwhite 5?

All official cases sport the Kindle logo on the front, an Amazon smile on the inner part, and a simple design that supports auto sleep / wake. The covers fold back completely for easy one-handed reading. They are compatible with Kindle Paperwhite 5 Signature Wireless Charging Dock station.

▸ Fabric cover – it’s made of water-safe fabric, and it means it will survive a drop into the water, just like your Kindle will. The case costs $29.99, and is available in three colors: Black, Deep Sea Blue, and Lavender Haze.

▸ Leather cover – four colors are available in 2021: Black, Deep Sea Blue, Lavender Haze, and Merlot. The covers are made from natural leather – a noticeable contrast with the eco-friendly communication of the Kindle Paperwhite 5. The list price of each variant is $39.99.

▸ Cork cover – the cork is water safe, what complements waterproof features of the Kindle Paperwhite 5. You can choose between two color variants: Dark Cork and Light Cork. It’s the most expensive Amazon Kindle cover so far – the price is set at $49.99.

What Kindle Paperwhite 5 deals to expect on Black Friday 2021?

When it comes to the new Paperwhite model, don’t expect usual Kindle price cuts reaching 40%. The 6.8-inch Paperwhite is just too fresh for it, and I expect a huge demand for the new model. Why cut the price?

During Black Friday 2018, Kindle Paperwhite 4 (which had been released just a few weeks earlier) was not discounted by even a penny. There was no price cut on the 4th-generation Paperwhite during Cyber Week either. The first deals were seen just before Christmas 2018. The device’s price was down by $30, to $99 – but the free Kindle Unlimited plan was gone.

Kindle Paperwhite 5 is not bundled with a free Kindle Unlimited, however. Therefore, I expect two deal options:

• A free 3-month Kindle Unlimited plan with a purchase of Paperwhite 5 – the saving would be $30.
• A moderate price drop – not more than $20, so the Black Friday price for Paperwhite 5 would be around $120 but no lower.

I would, however, expect a huge price cut on the previous-generation Kindle Paperwhite. Everything depends on how many devices will be left on stock. By the way, the previous Paperwhite is on sale right now.

What are Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021) specs?

Below, you will find an almost complete list of technical specifications of the Regular Paperwhite 5, released in 2021. For more information, check out product pages on Amazon:

• Paperwhite 5 Regular specs
• Paperwhite 5 Signature specs

Kindle Paperwhite 5 Regular tech specs

⇢ Paperwhite 5

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