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!
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Amazon released the first Kindle in November of 2007. Eight and a half years later, the Oasis model is the 8th generation Kindle and the third evolution of Kindle with built-in illumination. The price of $300+ was a bit of a shock, but I ordered mine as soon as it was announced on April 13th. I then spent the next two weeks reading what was available online describing the features and benefits and asking myself whether or not I had made the right decision. Now that it’s finally been released and I have it in my hands, how different is it, and is it worth what appears at first to be a very high price?
(My Kindle experience: I purchased my first Kindle (a first generation Paperwhite), when it was first released in Sept 2012. I purchased the Voyage when it was first released, in Sept 2014. I use my Kindles every day. I’ll compare this new Oasis to both of those models.)
I've decided to give the Oasis 5 stars based upon the design and size which I find exceptionally nice. I have no issues with the display on my Oasis although I've read a few early reports that do indicate some units may have display problems. The price may be reason for some people to consider this a less than 5-star product. For me personally I use my Kindle every day, it's a constant companion, and I have found no faults with this model and enough improvements from the Voyage to make it preferable.
The price of the Oasis is high enough that this is not a casual purchase for most people, myself included. As I write this review, the regular (non-illuminated) Kindle can be purchased for as little as $59.99! That is remarkable. The Voyage and the latest Paperwhite are both exceptionally good e-readers, provide essentially the same display and almost the same reading experience, and both are considerably less expensive. Amazon has developed a product line range of four models at different price points so that one or another are probably affordable for just about anyone. They also have tried to provide enough differentiation in features from one model to the next to make the price differences worthwhile. It's like buying a new car - do you want to get the most affordable car for basic transportation, or are you willing to spent more money to get a high-end sound system, leather upholstery, and navigation?
I'll go through each aspect of the Oasis and try to explain what is different about it, and what is not. In the end, some people will consider the Oasis as money well spent, and others will be happy with what they already have. And that is how it should be!
My thoughts in much more detail follow.
AMAZONs DESIGN OBJECTIVES FOR THE KINDLE OASIS
In reading about the Oasis since it was announced, one thing became clear: Amazon wants this new Kindle to 'disappear' into your hands, so that you forget about the Kindle and get lost in the book you are reading.
Their objectives were therefore light weight and thinness above all, along with improving their already premium display if possible and providing the best possible battery life. I think that it's important to keep those design objectives in mind when evaluating the Oasis.
My own impressions were probably influenced by knowing these things ahead of time, but I must say that the Oasis is very significantly lighter and thinner than any of my other Kindles, and I like the style with the wider side for gripping. The display is superb, following the already excellent Voyage, with an improved illumination design.
INITIAL (NON-CUSTOMER) REACTIONS TO THE OASIS (MOSTLY CRITICAL?)
Early articles and reviews seem to have been more negative than positive. Most have mentioned one or more of the following points as concerns:
-- High price
-- Same 6” display size as other Kindles (some people want larger display)
-- No audio capability (none of the current e-ink Kindles have audio, see note below as well as comments to this review for elaboration)
-- No Bluetooth
-- No color display (e-ink technology as used in all Kindles is not yet developed with color, as far as I know)
-- Not waterproof
This new Kindle does not offer any of the above, and yet it is now the most expensive Kindle model. What does it offer?
ADDED NOTE 5/28/16: Amazon is now offering an audio adaptor for some Kindle models that enables VoiceView text-to-speech capability. This is not the same as listening to Audible books. See the following links:
- Kindle Paperwhite Blind and Visually Impaired Readers Bundle (Paperwhite plus audio adaptor)
- Kindle Audio Adapter (audio adaptor alone)
- Amazons announcement can be read here:[...]
- Fire help page explaining VoiceView capability: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201829340
USING THE OASIS
The Oasis is shaped differently from other recent Kindles, has the weight shifted to one side, but retains the same display as the Voyage and Paperwhite with some improvements made to the lighting. How is it to use?
-- The shape and size is different, and I’m quickly finding that it feels more natural to hold. The wider side is intended to be where you grip it, and if you hold it with left or right hand it re-orients the display automatically. The grip is wider and fatter than the other Kindles. Amazon refers to it as an ‘ergonomic’ grip.
-- Having a wider side with the page turn buttons is considerably more user friendly as well. I always found the Voyage page turn buttons to be difficult to avoid pressing by accident since the sides of the Kindle were very narrow and it was hard to hold the Voyage without touching the page turn buttons. Not so with the Oasis, the buttons are more prominent and easier to either find, or to avoid, and there is plenty of room to hold the Kindle without touching them by accident
-- Holding the Oasis with the cover is comfortable, but what is really impressive is how light it is without the cover. And it’s very easy to detach the Oasis from the cover, much easier than the Paperwhite in particular (the Voyage also slips out of its cover quite easily).
-- If you like the way that the Voyage ‘origami’ cover can be used to stand up the Kindle for reading, then that’s obviously not a feature of this new design. But I know that many people prefer a book style cover anyway, like I have with my Paperwhite, and this cover returns to that style.
-- Display can be set to landscape or portrait via the settings menu.
-- Oasis does NOT have the adaptive light sensor that the Voyage incorporates. You adjust the brightness of the display manually, a simple and quick adjustment.
-- The power button easier to use. With the Voyage if you have the origami cover and fold the cover back to read, then it covers up the power button which is on the rear of the device.
-- The page turn buttons are raised and easier to sense with your thumb than the buttons on the Voyage. There is a very slight click when the buttons are pushed.
My thoughts:
-- I miss the 'origami' cover of my Voyage. Some people prefer the book-style cover, but I like how the origami cover allows the Voyage to be propped up for reading. That's not possible with the Oasis, at least not with the current cover.
-- I do like the feel of the Oasis in my hands. The wide side used for gripping is a big improvement - see the video. I'll need to use it for a longer time in order to see if it really makes a big difference for reading, but my initial impression is that it's much nicer.
THE OASIS ‘SYSTEM’
The Kindle Oasis is not simply an e-ink reader, it is a reader plus cover and with the two designed to work together. The Oasis without cover is light and thin, shaped differently from other Kindles, with a display that automatically ‘rotates’ so that holding it in either the left or right hand will still result in an upright display. Both the Oasis and the cover incorporate batteries, and the two work together to give the ability to use the Oasis for long periods of time between charges.
The cover attaches and detaches easily, and is held in place with magnets and very secure. It really is convenient to remove the cover when you want to hold the Oasis for reading and enjoy the light weight and thin size, and when the cover is replaced then the battery in the Oasis automatically begins recharging from the larger battery within the cover. It is a very clever system and it works well, and transparently to the user.
THE OASIS DISPLAY
Uniformness of the lighting was a chronic complaint for the early self illuminated Kindles, particularly the Paperwhite when it was first introduced. The Voyage screen and illumination was a step forward from the Paperwhite, and the Paperwhite itself is now in its third generation. At this point, the display specifications for the Oasis are the same as the Voyage and Paperwhite, but Amazon says that the lighting design is improved. It has what I believe are 10 LEDs along the wider side of the display, but they are very very difficult to discern even when looking at a sharp angle. I am able to see some shadowing from the LEDs under certain conditions, but it is very subtle. Really, the display in my Oasis is faultless - crisp, sharp and bright. It is probably even better than the Voyage although my Voyage display is also quite excellent. My Paperwhite does have a very noticeable shadowing from the illumination which in the case of that model is coming from the bottom of the display. In the three and a half years since the first Paperwhite was released Amazon has really improved the display to the point where it is truly excellent in all respects.
One change is that the Oasis display does not include the 'adaptive' light feature of the Voyage. That adjusts the light setting depending upon the ambient light, and in my experience with my Voyage it is sometimes a good feature but not always fully adjusting how I prefer. Amazon decided to eliminate that feature for this new model, and I doubt that I'll miss it because manually adjusting the screen brightness is a very easy thing to do, and I was always messing with the adjustment on my Voyage anyway because the automatic adjustment often was not what I preferred.
Overall though, in my initial use I find little difference between the Oasis and my other Kindles (with respect to the display), but that is not a negative. My Voyage screen has been without fault since I first received it. I find the display to be clear and sharp and the range of illumination is very wide, sufficient for reading in the dark and also to illuminate the screen very adequately in bright light.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
The Oasis is shaped differently than other Kindles (a bit wider, and shorter) although the screen size is the same (6”). About two-thirds of the width of the Oasis is incredibly thin – less than half the thickness of the Voyage and almost a third the thickness of the Paperwhite. The weight of the Oasis by itself is quite a bit lighter than either of the other models, and even with the battery cover attached it is significantly less than the other models with cover:
-- Oasis: 4.6 oz without cover + 3.8 oz for cover = 8.4 oz total
-- Voyage: 6.3 oz without cover + 4.8 oz (origami leather cover) = 11.1 oz total
-- Paperwhite: 7.2 oz without cover + 4.7 oz (Amazon leather cover) = 11.9 oz total
-- Kindle: 6.7 oz without cover + 3.8 oz (Amazon leather cover) = 10.5 oz total
My thoughts:
-- The display is really impressively thin – noticeably less than the Voyage. It's remarkably thin when holding it.
-- What I find particularly impressive is how light and easy to hold this Oasis is by itself. The design places the weight closer to your grip (20% closer according to Amazon) and it does feel more comfortable and ‘like a book’.
-- Amazons goal – for the Oasis to ‘disappear’ in your hand – is not something I can quite confirm yet. It’s a bit of hyperbole, really, but the intent is there, and this Oasis is actually so light to hold that I can see this as not so much of an exaggeration, once you have used it for a while and are simply relaxing and reading a book with it.
PRICING
My first reaction to the price was that it sure sounded like a lot - $289.99 for the least expensive model. Later I took the time to compare it on an apples-to-apples basis to the other Kindle models, and here is what I found:
-- For comparison the pricing here is for Wi-Fi only, with special offers, and including Amazons own leather cover for the respective models (Wi-Fi plus 3G is +$70 for all Kindles, add $20 to get without special offers)
-- $290 – Oasis, price includes leather cover
-- $260 – Voyage plus Amazons leather cover ($200 + 60 = $260, or $30 less) (unchanged since first announced)
-- $160 – Paperwhite plus Amazons leather cover ($120 + 40 = $160, or $130 less) (also unchanged)
-- $120 – Kindle plus Amazons leather cover ($80 + 40 = $120, or $170 less)
Notwithstanding the above, it’s clear that the Oasis itself is as much as $210 more than the lease expensive Kindle. You can buy three base model Kindles (without illuminated screen) for the price of one Oasis, even including the cost of cheap covers for each of them.
My thoughts:
-- The cost is high but depending upon how you would expect to purchase your Kindle, it may not be quite as bad as it first appears.
-- The main difference is, with the Oasis you that don’t have a choice, you MUST purchase it with the leather cover because the Oasis and cover are designed to work together as a ‘system’ (see above). With the Voyage and Paperwhite you can purchase the Kindle without the cover, and you can also purchase much less expensive non-Amazon and non-leather covers.
-- If you would normally buy a nice ($40-60) cover for your Kindle, then the Oasis may not be that much more than that you'd pay for a Voyage. If you don't use a cover, or you would normally buy a less expensive non-leather non-Amazon cover, then the price is much higher than you'd pay for one of the other models.
-- If value for your money is first consideration, the either the Paperwhite (if you want illuminated screen), or the base Kindle, is clearly the best choice, at either $120 or $80 plus the price of the cover of your choice.
These prices are all normal full retail prices. Amazon has been discounting the other Kindle models recently, so the differences have been even greater.
Oasis buyers are probably looking for the most premium e-reader, want the latest and greatest, and are comfortable paying for it. This is not the Kindle model intended for budget purchasers.
BATTERY CAPACITY AND LIFE
Amazon does not give the actual battery capacity (in mAh) in their specs although eventually that information should be available online and I'll add it to this review. In the meantime Amazon does state how long the various Kindle models will operate on battery, and a comparison can be made. This is something I wanted to do for myself since the battery arrangement of the Oasis 'system' is so different for other Kindles, and because some of the early reports suggested very long battery life.
Here is what battery life actually works out to be, in terms of actual available reading time between charges for the current Kindle models, using Amazons own stated specs which all assume "wireless off and the light setting at 10":
-- Kindle: 4 weeks @ ½ hr of reading/day = 14 hrs
-- Paperwhite or Voyage: 6 weeks @ ½ hr of reading/day = 21 hrs
-- Oasis (including cover): 8 or 9 weeks @ ½ hr of reading/day = 28 - 31.5 hrs
-- Oasis (without cover): 2 weeks @ ½ hr of reading/day = 7 hrs
The differences are significant and the Oasis has a longer possible use between charge to be sure (making use of the battery in the cover). Whether or not that is a really important difference, I think it will depend on how much someone wants to use their Kindle between needing to plug it in to recharge fully.
NEW INFORMATION added 5/1/16, 5/22/16: One website now has a teardown report and states that the Oasis battery is 245 mAh size. A further report (update 5/22) gives the battery size in the cover as 1290 mAh, for a total of 1535 mAh. Compare that to the 1320 mAh battery included in the Voyage or the 1420 mAh battery in the Paperwhite and it's clear that the Oasis really must rely upon the cover in order to get respectable battery life, but if these reports are correct then the total battery capacity in the Oasis is larger than either of those models. The larger battery plus improved battery management software would explain Amazons claim of longer available reading time as I've summarized above. For those interested in more thoughts on this battery arrangement, please see comments to this review, below.
MORE NEW INFORMATION added 5/14/16: I've added a photo to this review that shows how the Oasis will go into 'hibernation' mode after sleeping for some period of time. When waking up from hibernation, the display shows 'waking up' at the bottom and takes a couple of seconds longer before it fully wakes up. This is a new feature of the Oasis and I'm sure it is part of the battery management software it incorporates, to deal with the different battery arrangement and give the best life between charges.
Other details regarding the batteries:
-- Ten minutes charging the cover adds one hour battery life to the Kindle (per Amazon).
-- Only the Oasis has a USB port. The cover must be attached to the Oasis in order to be charged, it cannot be charged independently.
-- The Oasis is capable of 20 months total life if in hibernate mode (per Amazon).
-- It is possible to check the battery levels for both the cover and the Oasis itself, IF the Oasis is attached to the cover (see video and also photo appended to this review). After pressing the 'quick action' icon at the top of the screen, the display will show the battery level for the cover and Oasis separately and given as percentages. That's a very nice enhancement and none of the other Kindle models offer the ability to view battery percentage.
-- When charging there is a small amber LED that illuminates and it part of the on/off button. When fully charged it changes to green.
My first reaction after learning that the Oasis had a separate battery in the cover was to expect a very long battery life, but when I started looking at the actual specs I saw that's really not the case. My interpretation is that because Amazon has made light weight and thinness their top priorities (see 'Design Objectives' earlier in the review), they decided to forgo the opportunity to pack a huge battery into the cover. But perhaps that will be an option at some point in the future, since the Oasis ‘system’ is designed for the Oasis plus cover to work together and Amazon could easily offer a ‘high-capacity’ cover at some point in the future, for those who wanted such a thing and were willing to sacrifice some size and weight in order to get it.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Incredible as it may seem that anyone would desire more after working their way through this brevity-disabled review, there is also a very comprehensive Kindle Oasis Support page now available on Amazon, that has a great deal of information including video illustrations of various features and operations:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202022760&ref_=hp_gt_kind_oasis
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.
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.
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.
Feature Product
- 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
Description
Unlike Any Kindle You've Ever Held
Reimagined to be our thinnest and lightest Kindle ever
New—Designed to feel as light as paper, Kindle Oasis is over 20% lighter and 30% thinner on average than any other Kindle. The handgrip tapers to an ultrathin 0.13" display so you can read comfortably for hours.
New—Kindle Oasis combines our strongest cover glass and a featherweight frame infused with metal using structural electroplating, ensuring it is lightweight while also resilient enough to take anywhere you want to read.
Perfectly balanced ergonomic design
New—A tapered ergonomic handgrip shifts the center of gravity to your palm, to rest in your hand like the spine of a book. Perfectly balanced for one-handed reading, Kindle Oasis enables you to get lost in your story.
New—Comfortably turn the page with either the touch display or dedicated page turn buttons located on the front of the handgrip. Whether you choose to read with your left or right hand, Kindle Oasis automatically rotates the page orientation to match.
Read More. Charge Less.
Highest resolution Kindle with enhanced lighting
Kindle Oasis features a high-resolution 300 ppi display for crisp, laser-quality text—all on the same 6" display size as Kindle Voyage. A redesigned built-in light features 60% more LEDs than any other Kindle, increasing the consistency and range of screen brightness for improved reading in all types of lighting. Kindle Oasis guides light toward the surface of the display with its built-in front light—unlike back-lit tablets that shine in your eyes—so you can read comfortably for hours without eyestrain.
Dual-battery charging system delivers months of battery life—our longest ever
New—Charge the device and cover simultaneously while snapped together and plugged in. When on the go, the cover will automatically recharge the device, giving you months of combined battery life. Plus, a new hibernation mode minimizes power consumption when your Kindle is inactive, extending battery life to its fullest capacity.
Premium leather cover
New—The removable charging cover is made of high-quality leather and comes in your choice of black, merlot, or walnut. The cover opens like a book and fits closely around the bezel, waking Kindle Oasis when opened and putting it to sleep when closed. Twelve magnets form a secure attachment between device and cover, while still easy to detach when the lightest possible weight is desired.
No glare in bright sunlight
Unlike reflective tablet and smartphone screens, the micro-etched glass screen is crafted to eliminate glare and feel like paper to the touch.
Won't tire your eyes in the dark
Kindle Oasis guides light toward the surface of the display with its built-in front light—so you can read comfortably without eyestrain. Adjust your screen's brightness for great reading in any light.
Charge monthly, not daily
Kindle Oasis won't leave you tethered to an outlet. A single charge can last up to six weeks (based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless turned off and the light setting at ten).
Read comfortably with one hand
Lighter than a paperback, comfortably hold Kindle Oasis in one hand for those times when you can't put the book down.
Lose yourself in a book
By design, Kindle Oasis is purpose-built for reading and creates a sanctuary so you can lose yourself in a book. Unlike tablets and phones, Kindle doesn't distract you with social media, emails, and text messages.
Take and share notes
Add margin notes that you can edit, delete, or even export from your device to your computer. Share highlighted sections and meaningful quotes on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads, and see passages frequently highlighted by other Kindle readers.
Look it up instantly without leaving your page
Smart Lookup integrates entries from The New Oxford American Dictionary with information from X-Ray and Wikipedia, so you can access definitions, characters, settings, and more without losing your place.
Read more challenging books
Word Wise makes it easier to enjoy and quickly understand more challenging books. Short and simple definitions automatically appear above difficult words, so you can keep reading with fewer interruptions. Tap on a word to bring up a simple card with definitions, synonyms, and more. Available on many popular English language titles.
Build your vocabulary
Words looked up in the dictionary are automatically added to Vocabulary Builder to expand your knowledge and reinforce retention. Swipe through your vocabulary words, quiz yourself with flashcards, and instantly see those words in context.
Share your library
With Family Library, you and your family can access and easily share not only your own Kindle books, but also books from the linked Amazon account of a spouse or partner.
Lowest book prices, massive selection
Over a million titles are priced at $2.99 or less. Over 2 million titles are $9.99 or less.
Set goals and celebrate with achievement badges
Kids can read books in a simple, fun, and safe environment designed specifically for them with Kindle FreeTime. Kids are rewarded with achievement badges when they reach their reading milestones. A progress report keeps parents updated on total time spent reading, number of words looked up, badges earned, and books read.
Full disclosure... I am a big Kindle fan. I've owned many of the Kindle devices through the years, and have enjoyed them all thoroughly. I am also an Amazon fan. By and large, my experience with Amazon has been positive. I hope what I am about to describe remains an exception to the general rule, because if it isn't an exception, Amazon is doomed. I'd hate to see that unfold.
So, about the Kindle Oasis. Great product. Crystal clear screen. Light, easy to hold, easy to use. It doesn't get much better. Only one complaint...
For many people, what I am about to describe may be nothing more than a minor nuisance. To me, it is indicative of a cancer infecting Amazon's treatment of their customers. During setup of the Kindle Oasis, there is opportunity to connect the device to social media accounts, to GoodReads, etc. On each such screen, there is a "Skip" button - par for the course - nothing out of the ordinary. Then comes the "offer" to sign up for Amazon's Kindle Unlimited service. This is presented as a 30-day free trial (which automatically begins billing on a monthly basis after the trial period). So what's the big deal? There is no bypass option - no "later" button - no "skip" button - no way to get past that screen other than to accept the 30-day trial. What if you're not interested? Too bad.
If you're thinking about trying Amazon's Kindle Unlimited service, but are saving that 30-day free trial period for a rainy day, don't buy an Amazon Kindle Oasis. If you do, you can kiss that 30-day trial goodbye. And, of course, in addition to the money you willingly paid for the Kindle Oasis, you're now facing a monthly charge of $9.99 for a service offer you cannot decline. Mind you, you can cancel the service, but why should you have to? And, cancelled or not, that 30-day free trial you were saving for a rainy day - still running, even though you're not using it.
Minor annoyance, or serious irritation? Speaking for myself, I find it an irritation, a breach of customer trust. Amazon's use of this tactic reminds me of the old Columbia Records club - ever try to cancel a membership? Or, maybe you were an AOL member - ever try to cancel a membership? In Amazon's defense, cancelling Kindle Unlimited service is relatively easy, once you find the web page where it can be done. Still, there is an underhanded feel to being force-fed a service option wasn't part of the original deal. Shame on you Amazon.
Would I recommend the Kindle Oasis. Sure. Absolutely. (Except for that one thing...)
Would I recommend the Kindle Unlimited service. The only factor I have with which to measure the value of the service is Amazon's apparent need to force the service on its customers, wanted or not. If Amazon must resort to this tactic, just how good can the service actually be?
-- From a loyal Amazon customer, hoping Amazon doesn't continue such practices in the future.
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 :)
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!
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!
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.
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