International Version – Kindle Oasis – Now with adjustable warm light – 8 GB, Graphite

The Kindle Oasis is Amazon’s most luxurious e-reader, designed for the discerning book lover who wants the ultimate reading experience. With its sleek design, warm light adjustability, and waterproof build, the Kindle Oasis offers a premium package that’s hard to resist for avid readers.

Pros:

Cons:

Features & Functionality

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The Kindle Oasis stands out with its warmth-adjustable backlight, a feature that sets it apart from other e-readers. The 7-inch, 300 ppi E Ink display is crisp and sharp, making text easy to read even in bright sunlight. The new adjustable warm light feature allows users to customize the color temperature, ranging from cool blue to warm yellow, which can significantly reduce eye strain during long reading sessions, especially in low-light conditions. This feature is particularly useful for night reading, as it helps reduce the amount of blue light emitted by the device.

The Kindle Oasis is available in multiple configurations, including options for 8GB or 32GB of storage and Wi-Fi-only or Wi-Fi with cellular connectivity. The addition of more LED lights (25 in total) compared to previous models ensures more uniform lighting across the screen. These lights are also adjustable based on the time of day, providing a personalized reading experience.

Despite these enhancements, the Kindle Oasis retains the same core functionality as other Kindle models. It’s heavily integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem, offering seamless access to Kindle ebooks, Audible audiobooks, and services like Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading. However, its support for non-Amazon file formats like MOBI and PDF is limited and often requires cumbersome conversions.

Design & Build Quality

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The design of the Kindle Oasis is both distinctive and practical. Its asymmetric design, with a thicker grip on one side, provides a comfortable hold, making it ideal for one-handed reading.

The Oasis is remarkably thin, with most of the body measuring just over a tenth of an inch, making it one of the slimmest e-readers on the market. The aluminum back panel adds a premium feel to the device, available in two elegant colors: champagne gold and graphite.

The build quality is solid, with Amazon electroplating a metal alloy over a plastic case to enhance durability without adding weight. This makes the Oasis sturdy enough to withstand everyday use without creaking or flexing. The micro-etched glass screen not only resists glare but also feels smooth and high-quality to the touch.

One of the standout features of the Oasis is its IPX8 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to two meters of water for an hour. This makes it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy reading by the pool, at the beach, or even in the bath. However, users should note that water can make the touch screen less responsive, so the physical page-turn buttons are a welcome feature when reading in wet conditions.

Power & Performance

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The Kindle Oasis is powered by a long-lasting battery that can easily handle weeks of reading on a single charge, especially when paired with the optional battery case. Amazon claims the device can last up to six weeks on standby, with an average of 30 minutes of reading per day, which is more than sufficient for most users. The included leather case not only protects the device but also doubles as an additional battery, extending the Kindle’s runtime even further.

In terms of performance, the Oasis is snappy and responsive. Page turns are quick, and the touch controls work smoothly for highlighting text and navigating the interface. The E Ink display refreshes efficiently, providing a seamless reading experience without the lag often seen in older e-readers.

While the Oasis excels in most areas, it’s worth noting that the device’s performance with non-Amazon content, particularly PDFs and comics, is less impressive. Load times can be slow, and the device occasionally struggles with formatting issues, especially with large files. However, for standard Kindle ebooks, the Oasis performs flawlessly.

Compatibility & Connectivity

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The Kindle Oasis is designed to work best within Amazon’s ecosystem, offering unparalleled access to Kindle books, Audible audiobooks, and Amazon’s cloud services. For users deeply embedded in Amazon’s ecosystem, the Oasis provides a seamless and convenient experience. The device syncs effortlessly with other Kindle devices and apps, allowing users to pick up where they left off on any compatible device.

However, compatibility with non-Amazon content is more limited. While the Oasis supports MOBI, PDF, and TXT files, users will need to convert EPUB and other formats using third-party tools, which can result in formatting issues. The device’s handling of PDFs, especially those with complex formatting or images, is also less than ideal, with slow load times and occasional glitches.

For audiobook enthusiasts, the Oasis supports Audible, but only through Bluetooth-enabled headphones or speakers, as the device lacks a headphone jack. This can be inconvenient for users who prefer wired headphones. On the plus side, the Oasis’s Bluetooth connectivity is reliable, and the integration with Audible is seamless, allowing users to easily switch between reading and listening.

One notable feature is the Oasis’s ability to borrow ebooks from libraries through OverDrive, although the process is not as straightforward as with some other e-readers like Kobo. Users must ensure the borrowed books are available in Kindle format and go through several steps to link their accounts and send the book to the device.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Kindle Oasis?

The Kindle Oasis is the pinnacle of e-reader technology, offering a premium reading experience with its sleek design, warmth-adjustable light, and waterproof build. However, its high price tag means it’s best suited for avid readers who spend a significant amount of time with their e-readers and are willing to pay for the best possible experience.

If you’re deeply invested in Amazon’s ecosystem and want a device that offers comfort, style, and performance, the Oasis is worth the investment. However, for most users, the more affordable Kindle Paperwhite offers nearly all the same features at a fraction of the price, making it a better choice for those on a budget. In the end, the Kindle Oasis is a luxury, not a necessity, but for those who can afford it, it delivers on every promise.