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Kindle Oasis review

8.5/10 AVG.
RATING
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Kindle Oasis
Kindle Oasis
Kindle Oasis
Kindle Oasis
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8.5/10
Informr score
The Kindle Oasis currently has an Informr score of 8.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 32 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Lightweight and thin
  • Uniform lighting
  • Accelerometer to adjust screen orientation

What's bad

  • Without case only 2 weeks of battery life
  • Expensive
  • No waterproofing

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.”


6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6"
Yes
Backlight
Backlight
Yes
4 GB
Storage
Storage
4 GB
No
3G
3G
No
1800 hours
Reading Time


What the Critics Are Saying...


TechRadar
TechRadar

The Amazon Kindle Oasis is the best experience money can buy when it comes to reading electronic tomes. The main problem lies in how much money you have to part with to let that happen, and its high price is likely to scare some off.

- James Peckham, TechRadar
techAU
techAU

When it comes to reading, I do most of mind on large dual-screen monitors and as the hours tick by and night falls, my eyes often protest. The display on the Kindle is fundamentally different technology and means your eyes will be happy, even after hours of reading.

- Jason Cartwright, techAU
PCWorld
PCWorld

With similar performance to other e-readers that cost much less, we can’t recommend Amazon’s Kindle Oasis to everyone. But for voracious readers with a taste for luxury, this e-reader’s light weight, excellent ergonomics, and even backlighting are worth the premium.

- Séamus Bellamy, PCWorld
512 pixels
512 pixels

The Oasis is the nicest, most polished Kindle Amazon has ever produced. If you are a heavy Kindle user, it’s worth a look, but if you are a casual reader or user, the Voyage or even Paperwhite are the ones to look at. As nice as it is, the Oasis’ price tag is pretty hard to justify, unle...

- Stephen, 512 pixels
Mobile Choice
Mobile Choice

Because of the shape and size of the actual reader, as well as the weight, it is a very easy and comfortable hold. If you are a caviar over fish and chips kind of person, then this Kindle is for you. For the price, waterproofing would have been good and that's why I have docked half a star off,...

- Sunetra Chakravarti, Mobile Choice


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Quick view

Screen Size
6"

The Kindle Oasis's screen size is 6 inches with 1072 x 1448 pixels resolution.

Backlight
Yes

There is a built-in backlight for reading in the dark.

Storage
4 GB

Internal memory is 4 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

3G
No

This model has no 3G wireless capabilities.

Reading Time
1800 hours

The e-reader is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 250 mAh battery. Battery life is rated for up to 1800 hours reading time according to Amazon's.

Kindle Oasis Specs

Overview
Release Date April 27, 2016
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Networks
No
SIM Card Size Yes
Operating System Custom

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Processor Freescale Dual core 1 GHz
Internal Storage 4 GB
RAM 512 MB
ROM No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Languages No
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Power & battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 250 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 3 hours
Reading Time Up to 1800 hours
Standby Time Up to 60 days
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.2 x 12.2 x 0.8 cm (5.6 x 4.8 x 0.3 in)
Weight 131 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Display / Screen
Type Grayscale
Technology E-ink
Colors Unknown
Resolution 1072 x 1448 pixels
Pixel Density 300 pixels
Size 6 inches
Sensors Motion / Accelerometer
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Anti Glare Unknown
Additional Display Features -
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Page Turn Key Unknown
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control No
Fingerprint Sensor No
Web / Email / Messaging
Web Browser Yes
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth No
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Wi-Fi Encryption No
Memory Expansion Slot No
PC Synchronization No
Audio / Video
Audio Playback No
Video Playback No
Streaming Video No
External Speakers No
Headset Jack No
Vibration Alert No
More
Additional Information
Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
Kindle Oasis Reviews
Where to buy Kindle Oasis
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