The previous Signature Editions of both the Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft already offered auto-adjustment of their front lights, wireless charging, and more storage, and that remains true with the 2026 version. But the 2026 Signature Editions also pack a new, aluminum-backed frame that gives them a more premium feel and shiny look, plus pogo pins on the back to pair them with new Kindle accessories. That aluminum form makes it heavier, weighing 8.1 ounces instead of 7.2 ounces. You can feel the difference, but the taller form factor makes the weight feel better distributed than on the shorter (though lighter) Kindle Aluminum.
Colorful finishes are essentially locked into the Signature Editions only now with these new models, at least if you want one of the 7-inch ones. While the base, 6-inch plastic Kindle has a purple color option, the base Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft will only come in black. The Signature Editions are where you’ll find the fun colors: I tested the Paperwhite Signature Edition’s Seaglass Green color, while the Colorsoft Signature has a deep-purple Fig option. I am disappointed it’s only one color per model, given how expensive these are and the fact that the Aluminum version has two colors.
But the biggest appeal to me for choosing a Signature Edition isn’t the color but the compatibility with a new accessory made by Amazon for these new Kindles: the Kindle Page Turn Cover ($80).
Amazon used to make an e-reader with page-turn buttons, the Kindle Oasis, but hasn’t for years. It’s a feature we’ve been waiting to see come back, and instead of baking it into one of its e-readers, Amazon has chosen to make it an add-on. Amazon says it’s a vocal minority of about 5 percent of Kindle users who want page-turn buttons, and I think this is a smart move to make it an option for those who want it without risking a potentially unpopular device.
The cover works well, easily popping onto my Paperwhite Signature Edition and quickly working to turn the pages. You can use it to move up and down on pages, too, but the experience feels backward—the higher-up forward button will move you down a page, when visually you expect it to move you upward. It’s a lightweight, sleek cover otherwise, and feels identical to the new slim covers Amazon has out for its aluminum models. It’s sleek and discreet, and the buttons are in the perfect spot to start using them as soon as I open the book. I love that you don’t need to worry about anything besides popping the case on.
The downside is the cost. The Page Turn Cover will add another $80 to your purchase after already needing to upgrade to a Signature Edition, which costs $40 to $50 more than the base models. The cheapest combination is with the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, but you’ll end up paying over $300, which is how much you’d spend to get the Kobo Libra Colour (my favorite e-reader that isn’t a Kindle) with page-turn buttons built in and a stylus to have it double as a digital notebook. So while this Signature/Page Turn Cover combo works well, the price hurts when you look at the competition. Plus, if you aren’t picky about your page-turning accessory, the Bluetooth Kindle Click ($35) remote is significantly cheaper and works with older models.
It’s hard for me to say you need any of these devices if you’re already a Kindle user. The older models are already disappearing from Amazon’s website, though, so if you’re in the market for your first Kindle, I’d still recommend choosing a Paperwhite, and you might as well choose the newest model since the older one isn’t any cheaper.
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