Kindle Oasis

Amazon has successfully cornered the eReader market and each new Kindle release is better than the last. The Kindle Oasis is no exception. It is thinner than its predecessor measure in at 0.14 inches and weighs a mere 4.6 ounces, lighter than a standard paperback. Reviewers were surprised by its sturdiness despite its light weight and thinness. There were no creaks or any flex thanks to the electroplated metal alloy over the plastic case.

Besides making it lighter and thinner, Amazon also updated the design slightly. Rather than having the same thickness throughout, one edge of the Oasis is thicker than the center. This slight change provided reviewers with a better grip, though it only works when there is no cover.

The Oasis sports a 6-inch screen with a pixel density of 300dpi all covered with a micro-etched glass for glare reduction. While these specs might be the same as the Voyage, the Oasis has 60 percent more LED lights. Although not a huge amount, experts did notice a significant improvement in lightning uniformity.

Because Amazon wanted to keep this device thin, they also needed to reduce the size of the battery. Luckily, even with heavy reading critics were able to get more than 2 weeks of battery life on a single charge. For those worried about running out of batteries while traveling, the Oasis has another trick up its sleeve – the included cover. This cover is an additional battery that increases battery life from 2 weeks to 8 weeks. Although an innovative idea, the case adds additional weight and bulk to the device, negating both the asymmetric design and work put into slimming it down.

One of the biggest letdowns is lack of waterproofing. And as the Oasis is the most expensive Kindle upon release, many potential customers might balk at the price and lack of this important feature. It is, however, only the second in Amazon’s lineup to include an accelerometer so users can read either way. Unfortunately there is no option to turn this off.

Reviewers have a hard time recommending the Oasis, especially to those who already have a Paperwhite or other eReader. The price as well as the limited features make this a hard sell. Most consider it a device for a niche audience. With that said, The Verge states, “…it’s an object of desire instead of a utilitarian reading device…” Wired adds, “I’m here to tell you that if the price doesn’t raise your eyebrows, and you want the latest and greatest, the Kindle Oasis is the best damn ebook reader I’ve ever used.”