When Amazon introduced an all-new Kindle Oasis in 2019, I was intrigued. As an owner of Oasis 2 as well as the newest Paperwhite, I wanted to know what the latest model had in store for avid readers.
Is Kindle Oasis 3 worth the hype? Does it provide remarkable features to match its significant price tag? So, I dived a bit deeper, and after hours of research here I am sharing my thoughts with you.
If you are planning to buy one, hopefully this review helps you take the right decision.
Kindle Oasis 3 has the same 7-inch display with 300ppi (pixels per inch) screen resolution as its predecessor offering a super sharp screen quality and a premium reading experience. But, it’s an inch above Paperwhite. To be honest, it doesn’t make a lot of difference because it’s only slightly wider, and you can still hold it in your palm comfortably having the tapered design which I find useful positioning your thumb on the page buttons. It may not fit your pocket though – if portability is one of your primary concerns.
The asymmetric design is another prominent feature because it allows you to hold the Kindle better, unlike Paperwhite, which has thinner edges. So, for many users, it’s definitely a win because it’s more ergonomic. But, it’s the opposite for a faction who finds it too awkward to hold, and in this case, a pop-socket may come in handy.
But, the aluminum body, which gives a sleek and smooth texture to the Kindle Oasis, puts it in a tricky spot. It surely makes the device more durable and sophisticated, especially in its two metallic colors, Graphite and Champagne Gold.
But, for some, it’s a downgrade compared to Paperwhite’s plastic body because it keeps slipping out of your hand, especially when your hand sweats or when lying on your back. For grip, the back of the device has a thicker part (a wedged-out design), but apparently, it doesn’t seem to help. I think the fact that Oasis is also very light, weighing only 188g and thin, makes it a device that can easily slip out of your grip.
Some may find this as childish banter of Paperwhite fans because Oasis lovers believe that metal exterior is a major benefit. You can use a good case/pop-socket to resolve this issue as well.
The main feature that Amazon promoted in the newest version of Oasis was its warm light or temperature adjustability. It tackles the harsh blue light, which is said to strain your eyes and disrupt your sleeping patterns. It’s also the main difference between Oasis 2 and 3.
As it turns out, Oasis has managed to live up to the expectations of users who relied on it. The warm light ranges from pure white to yellowish-orange and adapts to your surrounding light automatically. You also have the option of doing it manually.
It feels really easy on the eyes so you can read it in bed for a long time. It’s great for those who read at night very often, especially with no or dimmed lights. This is why many users prefer Oasis 3 to Paperwhite as the blue light strains your eyes after some time. It’s also a good e-reader for people with light-sensitive issues.
Besides this, the new Oasis also gives the feeling of reading a paperback with its color adjustment feature that many users have come to love. But what you need to know is that your warm light can significantly vary from someone else’s, depending on the influence of ambient light.
The page-turn buttons are another great feature of Oasis compared to Kindle Basic or Paperwhite. It makes one-handed reading very easy, especially for readers on commute. It’s also a plus if you don’t like or find it difficult to use the touchscreen – in case of hand injuries, for example.
Users with bigger hands might find it a bit uncomfortable to hold the Kindle without pressing the buttons accidentally, and unfortunately, you can’t disable the buttons. Some users say the clicking noise of the buttons can be quite annoying when you read in pin-drop silence, but it’s hardly noticeable for me.
The automatic page orientation, another unique feature of the Oasis series is friendly on both right and left-hand readers. You can even read with the page buttons at the bottom because of this feature.
The Oasis is also Amazon’s first kind to introduce a fully waterproof Kindle delighting many readers who like to take the device to the beach, pool, or bath. It can survive in 2-meter deep water for up to 60 minutes. I haven’t come across an issue with its water-resistance so far. In fact, people have left it out in the storm and accidentally dropped it in the bath and still found it to be working properly.
I think it’s also worth mentioning that Kindle Oasis comes with Audible, which is only available in the latest Paperwhite (2018). You have to connect it to an external speaker or wireless Bluetooth headphones. But, you can’t read the book and listen to it at the same time.
Moving on from the praise-worthy features…here’s where I think Oasis can be a letdown.
It’s way too expensive. It’s priced at $250 for 8GB and $280 for 32GB – not easy on your wallet. Compared to other Kindle versions like Paperwhite, Oasis can easily look like a total rip-off, especially for an e-reader. But, you get what you pay for.
No protective case, again! It’s disappointing that Amazon doesn’t include a case for its premium product, and the latest is not compatible with magnetic covers like the previous one, that many users loved. Although the device is sturdy, a case is essential when you travel around.
Some users claim that a case makes it difficult to hold the Kindle and also makes it feel bulkier. So, if you don’t like the idea, my suggestion is to go for a sleeve.
Battery life is another hiccup for me. On average, it seems to consume 10% every 1-2 hours of reading, which is good but doesn’t match with Paperwhite or Basic. Many users have found that indexing books drain the battery faster. Some claim that running a few charge cycles can optimize your battery, but I cannot speak for it without testing it myself.
Another thing that is missing in this amazing product is the lack of an audio jack. It would be nice to listen to audiobooks using your typical headphones. The new Oasis also holds on to a micro USB charging cable like its siblings. So, Amazon also seems to be heedless about upgrading it to Type- C, especially when most of the electronics have caught up with it.
Final Thoughts
I think Kindle Oasis 3 sets the bar for every other e-reader in the market as it rounds up some fantastic features. But, it’s too pricey, especially when considering Kindle Paperwhite which can satisfy your e-reading requirements at half the price.
But, as the best e-reader Amazon had put so far, its unique features do make up for it, and for many, it sets the mood to read longer and more often. That being said, not everyone feels comfortable with Oasis and the preference towards its features is subjective.
So, if you are happy with a decent Kindle equipped with all the essential features, I recommend you to choose Kindle Paperwhite. If you already own an Oasis and considering the upgrade, focus on how badly you need the warm light.
FAQs
Should I buy the 8GB or 32GB version of the Kindle Oasis?
I think 8GB is more than sufficient for plenty of ebook downloads, but fewer audiobooks. If you will be using Audible a lot and don’t want to delete downloads frequently to make space for new ones, a 32GB one is better.
32GB is also ideal for avid readers of comics or manga content. That being said, the price difference between the two versions can vary depending on the region you live in. You would want to take that into account as well.
Does Kindle Oasis have 4G LTE?
Yes, it’s an optional feature available on Oasis. If you think 4G is essential, make it a point to ensure the Kindle Oasis that you purchase is equipped with it.
What are the best Kindle Oasis alternatives?
Yes, it’s an optional feature available on Oasis. If you think 4G is essential, make it a point to ensure the Kindle Oasis that you purchase is equipped with it.
- Kobo Forma
- Kobo Libra H2O
