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Garmin Fenix 8 vs Garmin Enduro 3: Which premium Garmin is best?

Garmin Fenix 8

The more premium option

The Garmin Fenix 8 is the most premium Garmin, sporting a more vivid display, voice features, and more.

Garmin Enduro 3

Cheaper, but still formidable

The Enduro 3 is a cheaper option, doesn’t have the AMOLED display option, but will offer better battery life.

TheGarmin Fenix 8and the Garmin Enduro 3 are tough, multisports watches that are built to go the distance when you do.

These watches give you pretty much the best that Garmin has to offer in tracking, training modes, analysis, and smartwatch features too. All while giving you the kind of battery life that wipes the floor with aspiring outdoor smartwatches like theApple Watch Ultra 2and theSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

If you like the sound of the Fenix 8 and the Enduro 3, but can’t choose between the two, which should you go for? We’ve broken down the key differences between the two watches that will help you decide which is the best fit for you.

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Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3: Price and availability

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3 comparison

You likely know this already, but these two watches are expensive, so be prepared to shell out big money for them.

Both watches were launched at the same time in August 2024, with the Enduro 3 arriving in one size option just like previous Enduros. If you want an Enduro 3, you can expect to pay$899 for it.

With the Fenix 8, there are multiple sizes and even display options (more on that below) with pricing starting at $999. If you want the biggest Fenix 8 option, that can push the price over$1,000.

The Enduro 3, while still an expensive watch, is the cheaper option by quite a significant amount.

Winner: Garmin Enduro 3

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Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3: Design and display

Fenix 8 solar 47mm, Fenix 8 47mm, Enduro 3

It’s easier to start with the Enduro 3, which as mentioned comes in just one model and size option. It’s got a 51mm polymer case, a titanium bezel, and is partnered up with a nylon strap. It includes a 1.4-inch, 280 x 280 transflective touchscreen display and features Garmin’s latest Power Sapphire lens, giving you an extra battery resource when you’ve exposed that lens to sufficient sunlight during the day.

With the Fenix 8, things get a bit more complicated. First off, you have the option of a Fenix with an AMOLED display or a transflective display with a Power Sapphire lens just like the Enduro 3. There are also more size options to choose from, with the Fenix 8 AMOLED available in 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes. The Fenix 8 with a transflective, solar-powered display is available in 47mm and 51mm versions. That means you can get both Fenix 8 display models in the same size as the Enduro 3’s single case size.

Beyond size and display options, the Fenix 8 AMOLED offers the option of either Gorilla Glass or tougher Sapphire Glass to protect the display against scratches. Opting for the latter does inevitably bump the price up on an already pricey watch.

On the durability front, both the Enduro 3 and the Fenix 8 carry a waterproof rating that makes them safe to submerge in water up to 100 meters depth. In addition to that, the Fenix 8 also features leak-proof, inductive buttons that mean it’s capable of working for recreational diving up to 40 meters depth. If you’re into diving, it’s the Fenix 8 you want.

Last but by no means least, both the Enduro 3 and Fenix 8 include LED flashlights, which are built into the watch case and offer different lighting modes as well as a distress pattern option in case you get into a spot of trouble and need to raise the alarm.

Winner: Garmin Fenix 8

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Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3: Features

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3 comparison

The Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 are essentially giving you the same set of features bar a few things that you won’t find on the Enduro 3.

These are watches that offer Garmin’s latest multiband GNSS support to deliver more accurate outdoor tracking when tracking workouts near tall buildings or in deeply wooded areas. You’ve got Garmin’s latest generation Elevate optical sensor, which notably adds ECG-style tracking. You’re getting largely the same activity tracking modes here, with the Fenix 8 additionally offering a dedicated diving mode thanks to its leak-proof buttons and added depth sensor.

There’s the best that Garmin has to offer in mapping and navigation support across the Enduro 3 and all versions of the Fenix 8 and that includes the ability to upload routes, make use of turn-by-turn and breadcrumb-style navigation. They also offer new features like dynamic round-trip routing. The AMOLED Fenix invariably offers more vivid, colorful maps, but functionality-wise, they operate in the same way as the ones on the Enduro 3.

There are some differences on the smartwatch front with both offering staples like payments, notifications, music players, and access to Garmin’s Connect IQ storefront. The Enduro 3, however, misses out on Garmin’s new voice-enabled features, which you will find on the Fenix 8. That includes the ability to make Bluetooth calls, access watch modes and data using your voice, and the ability to record and geotag voice notes for those moments when a great idea comes to you out on a big hike. Perhaps a not-so-vital miss for most is the Red Shift mode you do get on the Fenix and not the Enduro, which helps to keep a low profile at night while still keeping the screen visible.

Winner: Garmin Fenix 8

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3: Performance and battery life

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3 comparison

Garmin rarely divulges into the hardware that keeps things running smoothly on its watches, but rest assured, the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 run nice and slick. Both run on Garmin’s latest operating system. That gives you access to a reworked interface that puts apps and smart features much closer to the workout tracking modes.

Both have 32GB of memory giving you a good amount of room to store things like music, apps, maps, and workouts. Performance-wise there are no complaints when moving around menu screens, launching apps, and waiting for a GPS signal to lock on.

In terms of battery life, we’ve had the 51mm Fenix 8 AMOLED to compare to the Enduro 3 and we’d say battery life has been excellent on both. When using the Fenix 8 AMOLED with the screen set to always-on it can get to up to 13 days. If you don’t keep the screen on at all times it can go up to 29 days. The solar power Fenix 8 can offer 30 days in smartwatch mode The Enduro 3 in contrast can last 36 days in smartwatch mode or 90 days when you fully put its solar powers to optimal use.

When it’s time to put the GPS tracking to good use, the Enduro 3 offers significantly more battery life than the Fenix 8 AMOLED and the same-size Fenix 8 solar model. If you’re just using the standard GPS mode the Enduro 3 offers 120 hours compared to 84 hours on the 51mm Fenix 8 AMOLED or 95 hours on the Fenix 8 solar. When you opt for the best GPS accuracy mode, it’s up to 60 hours on the Enduro 3 versus up to 62 hours on the Fenix 8 AMOLED or 52 hours on the Fenix 8 solar.

Our testing showed that the Enduro 3 pushed closer to a month than the 51mm Fenix 8, but both put in a very good showing. You’re certainly not getting shortchanged with either watch.

Winner: Draw

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3: Which should you buy?

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3 comparison

Our testing showed that the Enduro 3 pushed closer to a month than the 51mm Fenix 8, but both put in a very good showing. You’re certainly not getting shortchanged with either watch.

Winner: Draw

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3: Which should you buy?

Garmin Fenix 8 vs Enduro 3 comparison

We’ll start by saying that these are two of the best watches you can take on an adventure. They’ve got rugged, tough designs, high-quality screens, and offer plenty of battery life. Crucially, they deliver on aspects like GPS accuracy, offer some of the best mapping and navigation support you can find on a sports watch and there’s no shortage of features to tap into inside and outside of your adventuring.

If you’re looking for the best value option, go for the Enduro 3. At its core, it has all of the great Fenix 8 qualities for less money. It might not have an AMOLED screen or some of Garmin’s new voice-enabled smarts, but if you care about having access to Garmin’s best features and getting more battery life in between charges, the Enduro 3 will give you that.

If you like the idea of an outdoor watch that feels more like a smartwatch and arguably offers the best mix of those features outside of something like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, then go for the Fenix 8. It’s a fantastic watch with all you could want and more and still manages to deliver great battery life whichever model you go for, and that includes the AMOLED version.

HMD Rolls Out Android 15 Update: HMD Pulse Pro Gets It First, Here’s What Users Will Get With This Upgrade

Android 15 has been rolled out to HMD phones now. The HMD Pulse Pro has reportedly become the first Nokia smartphone to receive the Android 15 update, as per a recent report. Initially launched in April, the device is powered by an octa-core Unisoc T606 chipset and originally ran on Android 14.

Original collection': HMD introduces Pulse, Pulse Pro, Pulse Plus smartphones with Gen 1 repairability | Technology News - The Indian Express

The newly rolled-out Android 15 update is said to introduce several enhancements to the HMD Pulse Pro, including improved performance, advancements in adaptive battery technology, strengthened privacy and security measures, and a more refined notification management system.

What Does Android 15 Rollout To HMD Pulse Pro Bring To Users?

As reported by NokiaMob, the Android 15 update for the HMD Pulse Pro carries version 2.370 and weighs approximately 3.12GB. The update reportedly focuses on enhancing overall system performance, including faster app launch times, reduced lag, and improved battery management. Additionally, it introduces a smarter power management system designed to analyze user behavior and allocate resources efficiently, thereby extending battery life.

The Android 15 update is also said to bring a more sophisticated notification control system, allowing users greater customization to minimize distractions and focus better by selecting which apps and events can send notifications. Other reported improvements include stricter app permissions, automatic resetting of unused permissions, enhanced data encryption for better security, and the addition of Google’s December Android security patch.

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Alongside the HMD Pulse Pro, several other smartphones from the Finnish manufacturer are also expected to receive the update. The following is a list of HMD devices anticipated to be upgraded to Android 15:

Nokia G42 5G
Nokia G60 5G
Nokia XR21 5G
Nokia X30 5G
HMD Pulse series
HMD Crest series
HMD Fusion
HMD Skyline
HMD XR21 5G
HMD T21

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 review: This is the Kindle you should buy

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024

“The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 is the best Kindle for most people, with its gloriously sharp screen making it really enjoyable to read books on.”

Pros

Sharp, high-contrast E Ink screen
Adjustable warmth
Slick performance for ease of use
Dark Mode
Long battery life
Water-resistant

Cons

Screen attracts smudges
Rear gets easily scuffed

I went from reading on the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft to reading on the 12th-generation Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024, thus giving up the color screen for the monochrome life. The latest Paperwhite is neatly positioned in terms of price between the basic Kindle and the all-new Colorsoft.

Would the Paperwhite turn out to be the best of all worlds or an awkward in-between device that’s hard to recommend? I’ve been finding out.

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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 specs

Size	127.5 x 176.7 x 7.8mm
Weight	211g
Display	7-inch, front-lit300ppi, 16-level greyscale
Storage	16GB
Battery life	Up to 12 weeks
Charging	9W wired
Durability	IPX8
Colors	Black, Raspberry, Jade

The new Paperwhite has an ordinary design

Kindle Paperwhite 2024 Review: Great, But Upgrades Are Incremental

I’m reviewing the black version of the Kindle Paperwhite, and unfortunately, it’s not the most exciting-looking piece of tech I’ve used. Choose the Jade or Raspberry versions, or put it in some kind of case if you want to give its looks a bit of life. You’d be wise to use a case right from the start anyway, as even after 10 days of normal use — at home and on the move, so in and out of backpacks and pockets — the soft-touch rear has picked up some unsightly scuffs.

That gets the main negative about the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite’s design out of the way. At 7.8mm thick and 128mm wide, it’s a joy to hold. The 211-gram weight is just right to keep the device balanced without introducing fatigue, and it has an IPX8 water resistance rating. However, I appreciatethat it’s right for my hands and recognize that those with smaller hands may struggle with the overall size a little. Thebasic Kindleisn’t as wide and only a tiny bit thicker, so it may be the better choice for some.

A reason for the change in width comes from the 7-inch screen, up from the 6-inch screen on the Kindle, and an increase from the previous 11th-generation Kindle Paperwhite’s 6.8-inch screen too. A larger screen means more text can be displayed and there are fewer page turns. It’s the same size as the Kindle Colorsoft, so there were no differences for me to spot, but it’s a significant enough change for owners of older Paperwhite models with a 6-inch screen to consider upgrading.

I did notice the slight weight reduction from the 219-gram Colorsoft to the 211-gram Paperwhite, with the color reader feeling more substantial due to it. The Paperwhite’s rear panel also has a slightly different texture and more of a matte finish compared to the Colorsoft. It’s more of a traditional Kindle look and feel and isn’t quite as high quality. The power button is on the bottom of the e-reader, and I find I press it by accident, especially when I put it in my pocket — yes, it fits in my jeans pocket — or bag.

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New and improved screen

The 12th-generation Kindle Paperwhite has a new high contrast e-ink screen with a 300 pixels-per-inch (ppi) density, plus internal performance improvements mean page turns are supposed to be 25% faster than on the previous generation. If there is a difference in page turn speed, it’s very hard to spot, but the Paperwhite does move along at a decent enough pace, so it’s never frustrating to use.

The screen is responsive when pulling down the menu, changing the font size, and swiping between pages. I can’t see any difference in performance between it and the Kindle Colorsoft when reading books. Text and magazines, but not comics so much, look brilliant on the Paperwhite’s sharp, bright screen, and any accompanying monochrome images get the point across, just not as vibrantly as on the Colorsoft.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 showing a magazine cover.

Comparing the Colorsoft’s screen to the Paperwhite’s showed an unexpected difference. The Paperwhite has a lovely warm glow to it, with astonishingly sharp letters and a tone most would associate with real paper. The Colorsoft’s screen is far cooler and has a tangible yellowness (no, notthatyellowness) to the screen when set at maximum brightness and warmth. Reduce the warmth setting to zero, and the Paperwhite’s screen still has a paper quality to it, while the Colorsoft’s screen has what I’d call a “daylight” tone. It’s not harsh. It’s just not quite as friendly as the Paperwhite’s screen.

You can get an idea of the difference in the example photo above, but the camera does make its own adjustments for the difficult conditions, and the actual real-world view isn’t quite as severe. I really enjoyed reading on the Colorsoft and was surprised at the difference between the two devices, so I don’t see it as a negative. I don’t think one is more pleasurable to look at than the other, but if all you’ll ever do is read books without pictures, the Paperwhite will give you a more paper-like experience.

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Forget the comparisons for a moment

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 with Dark Mode active on a magazine page.

While it’s important to note these considerable differences between the Paperwhite and Colorsoft, I want to talk about what it’s like to use and read only on the Paperwhite for a bit. I stopped buying physical books, for the most part, years ago because I didn’t have the space needed for them (I hoard, unfortunately), and the Kindle took over. It took a bit to adjust, but only in terms of in-hand feel and performance and not because of the text on the page. Reading on the Paperwhite is lovely, from holding the device to scanning the words on the screen.

The Paperwhite’s additional speed improves the experience as there’s barely a pause between page turns, but more importantly, it’s also smoother with less flicker and sudden dimming. It’s easier on the eyes and makes reading more pleasurable. This is ultimately what I want. Words on a Kindle book page may not be as solid and “romantic” as words on a paper page for some people, but once you get past the fact that it’s digital and not physical, reading on a Kindle is really enjoyable. Adding speed and flicker-free performance minimizes the electronic barriers.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 with Dark Mode active on a book page.

I also really like the Dark Mode setting. Many will be familiar with this from their smartphone, and it works in the same way on the Kindle Paperwhite. It replaces the color inverter setting, where the black and white colors were reversed, and applies systemwide. The black background is deep and text is very sharp, plus because it’s part of the software itself, it looks entirely natural and doesn’t suffer from any white color bleeding like the old color inverter setting could.

The Paperwhite 2024 does not have an auto-adjustment for the front light, and you have to pay even more for the Paperwhite Signature Edition to get it. After wrangling with the often unreliable auto-brightness on the Colorsoft and eventually resorting to just setting it myself, I haven’t missed it and certainly wouldn’t pay more for the feature on its own. I love the Paperwhite’s flat screen and its matte, glare-free finish, but it does attract smudges.

Low maintenance

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 with Dark Mode active.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 showing a magazine page.

An Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 on a table.

What I like most, and really the most important thing to understand about the Kindle in general, is its incredibly low maintenance. Once you’ve got the settings how you like, there’s almost no need to ever visit the settings page again, leaving you free to pick it up and read when you want. This convenience even extends to waking the Kindle up with the power button, which immediately puts you back on the page where you left off. There’s no opening apps or dealing with cloud-loading times here.

You can purchase books directly from the Kindle store on your Kindle, but even if you use Amazon online on your laptop, your purchases sync practically straightaway. The Paperwhite’s Wi-Fi has been utterly reliable, the initial setup is easy and mostly performed through the Kindle app on your phone, and there’s Bluetooth to pair headphones and listen to audiobooks. Unlike your phone or tablet, once you’re done setting everything up, there’s not much else to do apart from reading on it, as there are no notifications to interrupt you either.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024's charging port.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024's settings page.

I’ve been reading on the Paperwhite for 10 days, usually for about an hour a day, and the battery has dropped from 100% to 85%. Amazon suggests you’ll get 12 weeks of use out of a single charge, and this seems achievable. It’s recharged using a USB-C cable plugged into the bottom of the device. At a mere 9 watts, it won’t charge as fast as your phone — expect it to take two-and-a-half hours — but seeing as you’ll only do it every few months rather than each day, it’s unlikely to be an issue. All of this means the Kindle Paperwhite is a relaxing device to own and use, making it perfect for quietly enjoying a book.

Is the Paperwhite the Kindle to buy?

An Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2024 next to a cup of coffee.

The Kindle Paperwhite has long been the sweet spot for Kindle buyers, with the desirable front light and adjustable display, durability, and higher-contrast screen making it more practical for not much more money than thestandard Kindle. The slicker performance and larger screen of the latest version make it even more modern and more pleasurable to use.

You are paying another $50 over the basic $110 Kindle for these features, and although the $160 price is higher than it has ever been, the Paperwhite is still going to please most people. While the basic Kindle is also better than ever, it is still a compromise, and we’d recommend spending just a little more to get the Paperwhite so you can enjoy reading books everywhere you go, at all times.

Amazon’s extensive Kindle range means you can spend more on your e-readers, too. Unfortunately, the Kindle Colorsoft looks like a pretty poor value when you understand that having the color screen will mean you’ve got to spend$280 for the pleasure. I recently switched from one to the other and can tell you I’ve hardly missed the color screen. I really only thought about it when I glanced at the library page, where seeing a splash of color was always nice.

Amazon makesa second Paperwhite model, which it calls the Signature Edition, and it comes with 32GB of internal storage rather than 16GB, wireless charging, and auto-brightness. Reviewing the Colorsoft definitely showed me how an e-reader doesn’t always greatly benefit from frills, and the Signature Edition is the Paperwhite with frills you probably don’t really need.

What all this means is that the Paperwhite is still the Kindle you should buy, but if you’d rather spend less, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the basic Kindle. What I don’t think you need to do is spendmoreon a Kindle, though. It’s best to keep reading a relatively no-frills affair.

DJI Mini 4K review: your best first drone

If you’re more interested in flying than taking aerial selfies, the Mini 4K beats the Neo

Verdict
The DJI Mini 4K is the most capable drone for beginners for the money. It’s effectively a minor update of DJI’s entry-level Mini 2 SE, upping video quality from 2.7K to 4K, which also unleashes a 2x digital zoom to get closer footage of your surroundings. Otherwise, it’s as you were for DJI’s cheapest Mini-series drone; a 3-axis gimbal, reasonable Level 5 wind resistance, flight times of up to 31 minutes and an arsenal of easy flight moves with DJI’s handy Fly app. If you’re just getting started with drones, the Mini 4K is an excellent value option.

Pros

+Excellent value
+4K video quality beats rivals
+Probably your best first drone

Cons

-No object-collision sensors
-Lacks subject tracking found in pricier models like the Mini 4 Pro

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DJI Mini 4K: one-minute review

Considering that theDJIMini4Kis thebest budget drone for beginners, it made an understated entrance. There were no bells and whistles, just a quiet appearance on Amazon, and I can see why: it’s essentially the same drone as DJI’s previous entry-level model, theMini 2 SE, only with higher-resolution 4K video, which also enables a 2x digital zoom.

Video quality is further bolstered by a higher 100Mbps bitrate, but otherwise this is almost an identical drone to the Mini 2 SE. That’s no bad thing – DJI has addressed the former’s single weakness – ‘just’ 2.7K video – and priced its successor aggressively. In one fell swoop, DJI outgunned the growing competition, which includes capable rivals such as thePotensic Atom.

Since the Mini 4K was launched, DJI announced an all-new drone, theDJI Neo, which is even cheaper than the Mini 4K and shoots 4K video. However, the half-size selfie drone is an altogether different proposition. If you want the traditional drone-flying experience, complete with a 3-axis mechanical gimbal and sturdier flight performance including level 5 wind resistance, the Mini series, in which the Mini 4K is the new entry-level model, remains your best bet. If you want even simpler operation, and smart AI-subject tracking features, the Neo is a fun alternative.

The Mini 4K offers decent battery life of up to 31 minutes on a single charge, and if you opt for the pricier Fly More Combo bundle you’ll get an extra couple of batteries and charging hub thrown in for good measure.

DJI offers perhaps the most rounded experience for beginner pilots, with clear tutorials on the DJI Fly app, through which you control the Mini 4K’s flights, complete with a scaled-back selection of DJI Quickshots flight moves, including dynamic movements such as Helix, Circle and Boomerang that will quickly elevate the quality of your aerial videos.

If money is no object, theDJI Mini 4 Proremains the most accomplished sub-250g choice, with its clever subject tracking and industry-leading flight safety features like omnidirectional object sensing. But if you simply want to see what all the fuss is about with drones without risking a huge amount of money, you can’t go wrong with the DJI Mini 4K. It’s excellent value, and the most capable sub-$300 drone on the market, even if the Neo has more flight options.

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DJI Mini 4K: release date and price

Released April 29 2024
Not available from the DJI store in Australia
The base kit costs just $299
Fly More Combo bundle costs $449

The DJI Mini 4K was announced in April 2024, and is aggressively priced at $299 for the base kit, which made it DJI’s cheapest 4K drone until theDJI Neowas launched in September 2024 (though as mentioned the Neo is a different kind of drone). That launch price was 10% cheaper than that of the DJI Mini 2SE, which is practically the same drone as the Mini 4K, although the former only shoots 2.7K video, making the Mini 4K excellent value by comparison.

Should you want the Fly More Combo bundle, which includes an additional two batteries, a charging hub and a shoulder bag, the price jumps up to $449. The Mini 4K is currently not directly available from DJI in Australia.

Price score: 4.5/5

DJI Mini 4K: specs

Camera:	12MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
Video resolution:	Up to 4K
Frame rates:	4K up to 30fps / 2.7K up to 60fps / FHD up to 60fps
Video transmission range:	10km (FCC), 6km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
Flight modes:	Sport, Normal, QuickShots (Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang)
Battery:	2,250mAh / up to 31 minutes flight time
Charger type:	USB-C / Battery Charging Hub
Weight:	8.68oz / 246g
Dimensions:	138 x 81 x 58mm (folded) / 248 x 289 x 56mm (unfolded)

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DJI Mini 4K: design and handling

Weighs less than 250g
Level 5 wind resistance provides reasonably stable flight
Three-axis gimbal for smooth video footage
Downward-facing sensors only, no other obstacle avoidance

The DJI Mini 4K is practically a carbon copy of the Mini 2 SE. That means it remains under 250g, and within the regulator-friendly category for most regions (there are no registration or ID requirements for recreational use in the US). Given that it has a camera though, users in the UK will need to register with the CAA for a flyer ID before taking flight.

The Fly More Combo bundle I tested includes replacement propellors and a screwdriver for when you need to swap out old or damaged propellors for new ones, two spare batteries and a charging hub, plus the RC-N1C remote controller. The controller connects to your phone, with a clamp that extends to hold just about any size of phone, plus it comes with USB-C / Lightning cables for a direct connection to your Android phone or older iPhone.

There’s a single camera, capable of shooting 12MP photos in JPEG or raw (DNG) format (the latter provides more editing flexibility) and video up to 4K. The camera is supported by a three-axis mechanical gimbal to ensure that your video footage is as smooth as possible.

Once you have the DJI’s Fly app installed and your phone connected to the controller, it takes little to no time to get airborne: press and hold the take-off button and the Mini 4K will rise to a height of 1.2m, and hover while you get yourself in the zone for flying.

Wind resistance is rated for up to level 5 – that’s up to 19-24mph / 29-38kph, which is slightly more robust than the DJI Neo, which is only rated up to level 4. I found the Mini 4K was able to withstand a moderate breeze, although of course you can hear and see it fighting to remain stable in such conditions, and I’d advise against attempting to fly in properly windy conditions.

The Fly app, together with the controller, offer several functions: Return to Home (RTH), QuickShots flight moves, and a variety of camera modes, including photo and video capture (with a button on the controller to switch between the two), panorama, and Timed Shot (interval shooting).

If you’re getting started with drones, the Mini 4K has plenty for you to sink your teeth into. One notable omission, though, which you won’t find on a drone at this price point, is obstacle avoidance. There are two downward-facing sensors that assist the drone for landing and can detect objects, with a precision range of 0.5-10m, but you’re not getting the sophisticated omnidirectional obstacle avoidance of the pricierMini 4 Pro.

I’ve been using the Mini 4K with the RC-N1C controller for months, and naturally, without obstacle avoidance crashes are almost inevitable. However, I’ve found that the Mini 4K has withstood minor collisions with tree branches and so on, and the consequent tumbling to the ground, admirably. It might be plastic, but the Mini 4K can take a few knocks.

You can register for DJI Care Refresh within 48 hours of activating the Mini 4K, which covers you for two replacements, water damage and flyaway, and which is probably a good idea if you tend to be more gung-ho rather than overly cautious.

Design score: 4.5/5

DJI Min 4K: features and performance

Quickshots for easy flight moves
Normal, Sport and Cine flight modes
Decent battery life of up to 31 minutes
Maximum transmission 10km (FCC) / 6km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

DJI lists the Mini 4K’s flight time as up to 31 minutes, but that’s measured in a controlled setting. What you actually get in real-world use is almost certainly less, and will be influenced by factors including wind speed and the flight maneuvers you’re performing, and overall it’s better to keep your expectations on the lower side. That said, with typical use in moderate wind I was averaging over 20 minutes, and I’m not sure that you’ll find a better battery performance in another drone at this level.

I was also armed with the two additional batteries included in the Fly More Combo, effectively tripling flight times on any given outing, and the charging hub can be topped up on-the-go via USB-C.

The maximum transmission range is up to 10km, depending on what region you’re flying in and what level of interference there is where you’re flying. Users in Europe, for example, are restricted to 6km. In any case, beginners are unlikely to get anywhere near those kinds of distances on a single flight, and you’ll need to make sure that Return to Home is set up for your take-off point in the likely event you get disorientated as to the drone’s position.

You can configure the Mini 4K’s max possible altitude and flight distances, and the height at which it rises to when Return to Home is initiated. There’s a 500m altitude cap, although if you’re playing it safe as a beginner you should stick to 150m or lower, which will likely be the legal limit in your region anyway if you don’t have a certificate of competency. Again, max distance can be set up to 5000m or the limit removed entirely, but when you’re starting out it’s probably a good idea to stick to much closer. The Mini 4K is fed all of this data through GPS + GLONASS + Galileo satellite systems.

On the controller you’ll find three flight modes: Cine, Normal and Sport, each with a different max speed and responsiveness. Cine mode is the slowest of the three, designed to get you the smoothest possible aerial videos, while of course Sport is the niftiest to unleash piloting fun.

Flight speeds in Sport mode top out at 35.79mph and are no match for FPV drones in manual mode such as theDJI Avata 2, but are plenty quick enough while you find your feet and build your piloting skills. Cine mode is significantly slower than that.

And then there’s DJI QuickShots flight moves, which include Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, and Boomerang. Circle performs a lateral 360-degree move around your chosen subject – you simply select suggested subjects or draw a box around the chosen subject, and off the drone goes into action. Boomerang does a similar move while gradually gaining height.

These simple flight moves can improve the quality of your aerial videos as you center on points of interest around you. Other DJI drones have additional QuickShots moves in Spotlight and Follow. The Mini 4K does not offer Follow, and it lacks Follow Me subject tracking, which you get with pricier models and even the new Neo selfie drone.

Features score: 4.5/5

DJI Mini 4K: image and video quality

1/2.3-inch sensor
Up to 4K 30fps video, 2.7K up to 60fps
12MP JPEG + RAW photos

The Mini 4K’s 1/2.3-inch sensor is larger than the sensor found in the Neo, and smaller than the one in theMini 3and Mini 4 Pro drones. As such, its 4K video image quality sits somewhere in the middle in terms of color depth, dynamic range and low-light clarity.

That sensor size is roughly equivalent to what you’d find in a standard smartphone, only you don’t have the computational photography modes andHDRsettings afforded to today’s handsets; if the sun is directly in your shot, expect blown-out highlights. However, I still found detail to be very sharp at first light before the sun lapped over the landscape.

Video resolution tops out at 4K 30fps, while cinematic half-speed 60fps videos can be shot in 2.7K and Full HD resolutions. Photos are up to 12MP (in 4:3 aspect, with a 16:9 cropped format also available) and can be shot in either JPEG or raw, with the latter offer more editing flexibility. Files are recorded onto microSD card, with compatibility for cards up to 256GB.

DJI has upped the maximum video bitrate to 100Mbps (it was 40Mbps in the Mini 2 SE). So not only does the Mini 4K offer higher-resolution video than the Mini 2 SE, but its 2.7K video is also less compressed.

There’s a standard color profile for photo and video – what you see is what you get. However, you can easily edit the colors in raw DNG format photos in your choice of photo editor. If you’re a keen editor, you’ll probably want to shoot photos in both raw and JPEG, just in case the JPEG photos aren’t to your taste. However, there’s no flat color profile for video, which is pretty normal for a beginner drone, so there’s not much scope for color-grading videos.

What’s unusual for a drone at this price point is that you can switch from the Mini 4K’s Auto setting to a Pro mode for manual control over exposure settings for photo and video, including the 1/30 to 1/8000 shutter speed and ISO 100 to 3200 ranges. That’s an excellent feature for discerning image makers, though I suspect most people will keep the Mini 4K in Auto and be pleased with the results.

The three-axis gimbal offer a -110° to 35° tilt range, -35° to 35° of roll and -20° to 20° pan, and works in tandem with image stabilization to give you smooth video footage. Unless you’re fighting high winds or making jerky movements on the controller – which requires significant finesse – then you can expect super-smooth video footage, especially in Cine mode.

Image quality score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the DJI Mini 4K?

Buy it if…

You’re buying your first drone
The Mini 4K is a superb first drone, with decent flight performance and video quality, plus manual control over camera settings.

You want decent battery life
Up to 31 minutes from a fully charged battery is very impressive, and you’ll get triple that with the Fly More Combo kit.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the very best sub-250g drone no matter the cost
If money is no object, your best first drone is the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

You’re more interested in aerial selfies than flying
DJI’s Neo is smaller, cheaper and even easier to use, with intelligent subject tracking making selfies on the move an autonomous doddle.

You’d be better off with obstacle avoidance
The Mini 4K only has downward-facing sensors primarily designed to aid landing, whereas the Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance that’ll help you avoid crashes.

Samsung XR headset —Google just gave us our first look at what the apps will look like

Here’s what using Samsung’s upcoming XR headset might be like

(Image credit: Google)

We know thatSamsung has its own XR headsetthat will arrive at some point over the next 12 months. But beyond a few minor hardware details, like the fact it’ll run on aSnapdragon XR Plus Gen 2 chip, the device is still a complete mystery. But we may have just got our first look at what the headset’s interface and apps might look like.

This isn’t a leak per-se, since this glimpse comes directly from theAndroid XR developer blog. Since we know that the Samsung headset (aka Project Moohan) will run onAndroid XR, this is our best possible look at what the headset might be like — second only to a demonstration from Samsung itself.

(Image credit: Samsung)

The blog post features a six-second video showing off a handful of app windows overlain over the real world. While brief it does show how app windows might look if you were wearing an Android XR headset, though unsurprisingly they don’t look much different from app windows on an Android tablet.

Android XR also offers users the option to switch between two modes called Home Space and Full Space. Home Space is a multitasking view with multiple app windows, and what seems to be your real-world surroundings in the background.

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Home Space (left) vs Full Space (right)(Image credit: Google)

Meanwhile Full Space only offers a single window at a time, with a virtual background. HomeSpace is the default view, and the button essentially switches back and forth from the full-screen mode.

Presumably such a feature would also be available on Samsung’s headset, though the actual design of the windows may differ. After all, Samsung Galaxy phones run on Android, but the One UI interface means that things look a little different than they do on other phones. There could be similar differences with the stock version of Android XR compared to Samsung’s take — with windows possibly even taking some design cues from the upcomingOne UI 7.

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(Image credit: Google)

Googlealso confirmed that Android XR will support multiple inputs, including hand and eye tracking, voice control, keyboard and mouse, plus dedicated controllers. Hand tracking also enables gesture control, including a pinch gesture similar to the one we’ve already seen onApple Vision ProandApple Watch 9.

We’re expecting to see more of Project Moohan at CES 2025, which starts on January 7. So we should be seeing a lot more information about the headset, and what Samsung has in store for us, in the next couple of weeks.

Millions of Android smartphones were quietly enlisted into one of the biggest crowdsourced navigation projects ever

Google researchers turn Android devices into scientific ionosphere tools

Phone-based maps outperform the traditional Klobuchar ionospheric model globally
Underserved regions like Africa benefit from enhanced ionosphere data
Geomagnetic storms are tracked with high precision using smartphone networks

Mapping the ionosphere is critical for improving the accuracy of navigation systems, but existing methods face significant limitations. While ground-based GNSS stations provide detailed maps of ionospheric total electron content (TEC), their coverage is uneven, leaving large gaps in underserved regions.

Now, researchers fromGoogleResearch, Mountain View, CA, USA, have demonstrated an innovative solution utilizing millions ofAndroid smartphonesas a distributed network of sensors in a study published inNature.

Despite being less precise than traditional instruments, these devices effectively double the measurement coverage, offering accurate ionosphere data and addressing longstanding infrastructure disparities.

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The Ionosphere’s influence on navigation

The ionosphere, a layer of ionized plasma extending from 50 to 1,500 km above Earth, significantly impacts Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals by introducing positioning errors. However, traditional ground-based GNSS stations, while precise, suffer from limited spatial coverage and leave underserved regions vulnerable to inaccuracies.

The research from Google Research capitalizes on the billions of smartphones equipped with dual-frequency GNSS receivers to address coverage gaps. Unlike conventional GNSS stations, smartphones are mobile, widely distributed, and capable of capturing vast amounts of data.

By aggregating and averaging measurements from millions of devices, researchers achieved accuracy comparable to dedicated monitoring stations, even resolving phenomena like solar storms and plasma density structures.

Android’s GNSS API facilitated the collection of satellite signal data, such as travel times and frequencies, which were then used to estimate the ionospheric total electron content (TEC).

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The study showed that while individual phone measurements are noisier than those from monitoring stations, their collective data provided robust and reliable results.

Comparisons showed the phone-based TEC model outperformed existing methods like the Klobuchar model, widely used in mobile phones.

Using data from Android phones, the researchers doubled the measurement coverage of the ionosphere compared to traditional methods, and were able to map plasma bubbles over India and South America and storm-enhanced density over North America during a geomagnetic storm in May 2024.

They also observed mid-latitude troughs over Europe and equatorial anomalies – a phenomena previously inaccessible due to sparse station coverage.

Notably, regions like India, South America, and Africa, often underserved by traditional monitoring networks, benefited significantly from this approach, which produced real-time, high-resolution TEC maps.

Some Samsung phones now have satellite messaging in the U.S. Here’s how to get it

Before Samsung launched theGalaxy S24series in January, there were rumors that the new phones would include satellite messaging, similar to the feature available on Apple’s newer models. While this feature was not included at the launch, it’s now finally rolling out for some users.

According toSamMobile, some Galaxy S24 andGalaxy Z Fold 6users in the U.S. are now starting to receive this feature.

Before getting too excited, however, this news comes with a caveat. It’s only available to T-Mobile customers who applied to test the company’s T-Mobile Starlink service. T-Mobile announced that feature in August 2022, and earlier this month, it (finally)announcedthat satellite messaging beta registration would soon be available for direct-to-cell satellite service. It doesn’t require a fee; you must have a postpaid account. You cansign up to test the feature now.

For users with supported devices, navigate to Settings > Connections > Satellite Networks to find the listing. Once set up, you can send and receive messages in areas without nearby cellular network coverage.

The T-Mobile Starlink service remains in beta. When released to the public, it should be available on any T-Mobile Android phone with LTE connectivity.

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Android 15introduced satellite messaging support to Android phones for the first time, potentially enhancing communication capabilities in remote areas where traditional cellular networks are unavailable. This feature enables users to send texts for emergencies and other important messages via satellite, ensuring connectivity even in the most isolated environments.

However, carrier support and compatible devices are required to utilize this functionality entirely. Unfortunately, most manufacturers are still integrating this capability into their devices.

Meanwhile, since the iPhone 14 series, Apple iPhones have supported satellite messaging.

Jealous of Genmoji on Apple Intelligence? Don’t be – this Android alternative has been around for years, and it’s my favorite thing about Android phones

My kingdom for an alien turtle

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(Image credit: Google)

Thanks to iOS 18.2,Apple Intelligencehas pretty much arrived on iPhones, and based on our own reportingGenmoji is proving a hit. Genmoji, a portmanteau of generative and emoji, is an artificial intelligence-powered feature that combines two emojis to make a custom one.

I’m not a fan of Genmoji. Maybe it’s the fact that the resulting emoji sport that creepy veneer of all AI-made images; maybe it’s my Android fanboyism’s natural aversion toApple… or maybe it’s the fact that I absolutely love Android’s own version of Genmoji.

Yes, Android has its own version of Genmoji, and true Android fashion, Google actually introduced it way ahead of Apple; in 2020 to be exact. This feature is called Emoji Kitchen, and far too few people have heard of it (possibly because of that strange name).

Emoji Kitchen, like Genmoji, lets you select pick two emoji and have them combine into a new one. Smiley face plus pineapple equals smiling pineapple, crying face plus cat equals crying cat, you get the picture.

As a tech reporter, I downloaded Emoji Kitchen as soon as it was made available and have been using it ever since. In fact, I absolutely love it and use it all the time, and with Genmoji potentially making Android users green with envy, it’s time to revisit this far superior alternative.

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How to use Emoji Kitchen on Android

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(Image credit: Google)

Back when Emoji Kitchen was introduced, you needed to enrol in a beta to access it. But now anyone on Android can, as long as you’re using the default keyboard option GBoard. Emoji Kitchen doesn’t work on all messaging apps but the key ones are supported includingWhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Messenger and a few others.

To use Emoji Kitchen, open the chat log and press in the message box, where you type. Instead of typing, press the smiley-face icon to the left of the space bar, which brings up the menu that normally lets you send emoji, gifs and stickers.

Now, pick your first emoji and press it. Instantly, in the space between the keyboard and the messaging log, you’ll see a section appear for Emoji Kitchen, giving you some suggested custom emojis (I think these are based on your most-used emoji but I’m not certain).

To combine two emoji of your choice, find in the emoji list your second choice and press it. Now, the leftmost option of the Emoji Kitchen carousel will be the custom pick. Press it, and your concoction will be sent in the chat as a sticker. Unfortunately, you can’t send them in a message as with standard emoji.

My favorite part of Emoji Kitchen is just playing around with emoji combinations, but if you’d rather know what you’re sending, there’s afull list of options available here.

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(Image credit: Google)

You can use Emoji Kitchen on other devices too

You can also use Emoji Kitchen on a computer, which lets you create emoji quickly and easily and copy-and-paste them into chats.

To do so simply Google search “Emoji Kitchen” and then press “Get Cooking” below the search bar.

A pop-up will appear that lets you choose from a range of emojis to combine, in a mathematical “X + X = X”. To create an emoji, select on the one you want to swap out and then press one of the ones in the list below.

Then to copy and paste your new custom emoji, press the ‘copy’ button (two rectangles, on top of each other) under the right-hand emoji to copy it. Paste it into another document or chat.

Unlocking the full potential of Emoji Kitchen

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(Image credit: Google)

I love Emoji Kitchen because some of its resulting creations look silly. Silly but cute. And isn’t the big bonus of Android emoji over iOS ones that they look so much cuter? The veritable army of new cute combos is one of the reasons I keep using the feature.

My absolute favorite is the turtle emoji (some people tell me it’s a tortoise but its primary name according to emoji makers Unicode is “turtle”, take that!), with its hopeful simple smile, and about 75% of the Emoji Kitchen stickers I send nowadays are mash-ups featuring the turt. I spam my girlfriend with it so much that she baked me a gingerbread version of the turtle-alien mash-up, a Kitchen creation I was particularly taken with.

The thing is, the turtle alien emoji was sent because it was situationally relevant to what we were talking about (invasive species of turtles, not extra-terrestrial shelled reptiles), and that’s another aspect I enjoy about Emoji Kitchen. The ability to combine emoji creates so many situationally-relevant stickers to send, that there’s rarely a time I can’t find an emoji I’d like to send.

But my favorite thing about Emoji Kitchen, which is also a dig at Genmoji, is that the stickers simply look better. This is partly my preference but also partly that Genmoji are images made by an AI trying to slam two emoji together, and it tells. Emoji Kitchen, on the other hand, are hand-drawn, something thatGoogle has confirmed itself.

I’m not here to complain about AI, but you can tell that Genmoji lacks that human touch, sitting deep in that uncanny valley (alongside half of the other Apple Intelligence generative tools) while Emoji Kitchen basks in that cartoon cuteness. I need only show some of Apple’s own promotional images to prove this point:

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(Image credit: Apple)

So if you’re an Android user, you shouldn’t feel jealous that you don’t have Genmoji. You should feel glad that you can use Emoji Kitchen instead.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series leaks in full and I’m so tired

Image from:Dbrand

We are approaching the next Unpacked event, and as usual, all the smartphone surprises that Samsung harbored have been spoiled by leaks. Granted, it’s a bit shaky to put all your faith in leaks. But what about some unceremonious web upload from one of the world’s top accessories brands?

Well, that just transpired on Dbrand’s website. The notoriously outspoken company haslisteddozens ofrendersdepicting the Galaxy S25 series smartphones, draped in avarietyof skins available for enthusiasts.

Of course,the design is familiar. A little too familiar, I’d say. The vanilla Galaxy S25 and its Plus trim look identical to each other. And also to their respective Galaxy S24 series counterparts. And their Galaxy S23 series iterations. Plus, a whole bunch of Galaxy A and M series phones.

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One of them is the Plus. (Hint: It’s the bigger one. Thanks, Samsung!)

Theonly refinement is reserved for the Ultra version, which loses its signature sharp corners and goes with a slightly rounded approach. It’s not quite the dramatic corner radius that Apple has maintained across iPhones, iPads, and Macs over the years, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra still stands out.

What doesn’t stand out is the camera lens design, the display aesthetics, and the port-button profile. The saving grace could be a splash of new colors on the rear glass.What about the magnetically-driven Qi 2 wireless charging perk?Well, leaks are split on that convenience.

Among the new color options should be a dusty blue tone, as per leakerIceUniverse. If that turns out to be true, this is what it would look like on the Galaxy S25 series phones.

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I am ready for the hurt, Samsung

A lot can be written about Samsung’s conservative design. I am being pretty lenient here, but there are a few strong opinions in the Samsung fandom. And by fandom, I mean Reddit subs discussing Samsung Galaxy phones and Samsung’s official community forum.

“At least Samsung is not copying you know who, like everybody else.” That’s an argument rooted in factual accuracy, at least. “Why should they? Not everyone can afford or wants to pay for a flagship,” says one comment in a heated Redditdebateabout Samsung’s design approach.

But not everyone can buy into it. A healthy few also want a design that stands out and doesn’t make their thousand-dollar phone look like a $250 midranger with a near-identical design formula.

“I can’t speak for others, but I want a unique and good-looking phone, not just a powerful glass rectangle (especially for flagship prices),” claims one such Reddit argument.

I am siding with the second argument. I would rather have a flagship phone look the part than just go with slightly premium material. A case can be made about, well, cases, which are eventually going to hide all the snazz and jazz of your shiny new phone.

But that argument beats the whole purpose of spending top dollars on a high-end Galaxy S series phone. If performance is all you seek, you can get the same — and more — from a device like theRed Magic 10 Pro, which also blesses buyers with a ginormous battery.

Alternatively, if cameras are the only consideration, maybe a Google Pixel Pro series phone or the iPhone would also suffice. You are buying a premium Samsung phone, knowing all its strengths and willing to live with its weaknesses.

This phone costs half as much as a Galaxy Ultra series device. But it’s faster. And it looks terrific.

The least it can do is give you the satisfaction of unique, top-tier engineering every time you pick it up. I am hoping that Samsung comes up with some interesting shades and doesn’t keep most of the good ones limited to its online store the way it has done for the past few years.

Wishing for a change won’t change anything, of course, as the phones have been in production for a while now. But if the leaked Dbrand assets are anything to go by, I would pay for a two-tone Galaxy S25 series phone rather than a repetitive glass-and-metal chassis with a matching frame with a luster.

You’ve done it before, Samsung. Do it again, maybe.

Best Amazon Kindle e-reader 2024

Do unlimited reading with Amazon’s most impressive lineup yet.

All the popular models have gotten a big makeover, along with a surprise new addition. The Kindle brand name has long been synonymous with e-readers, and it’s easy to see why Amazon dominates the category.

Amazon is finally embracing color as it adds its first-ever color Kindle to the lineup, called theKindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. For most readers though, the new Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is a fantastic starting point if you’re looking to get your feet wet with an e-reader.

There are plenty of other great picks available at various price points. If you’re in the market for thebest E Ink tablet, here are some of our top choices when it comes to the best e-readers that Amazon makes.

Best overall

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen, 2024)

Best overall

Specifications

Display:7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:211g

Dimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm

Storage:16GB

Battery life:Up to 12 weeks

Waterproofing:IPX8

Colors:Black, Raspberry, and Jade

Reasons to buy

+300ppi E Ink screen
+IPX8 water resistance
+Thin and light, with USB-C port
+20% faster than before
+Audible integration
+Slight larger display

Reasons to avoid

-No physical buttons

The Kindle Paperwhite set the benchmark for affordable e-readers for a long time, and the latest model adds even more compelling features to the mix. The highlights of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) model include a faster processor which is said to deliver 25% quicker page turns, and a new oxide thin-film transistor in the display for a higher contrast ratio. The screen size is also slightly larger at 7 inches, and it’s the thinnest Paperwhite device yet. What’s impressive, is the (up to) three-month long battery life.

Like the previous model, the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite has IPX8 water resistance, which lets you take your e-reader to the pool. The Paperwhite can survive up to two meters of water for an hour, giving you much more flexibility. There’s only a single storage variant now with 16GB, allowing you to store thousands of books at a time. The Paperwhite also get an adjustable warm light so you can adjust the screen’s color temperature based on the ambient lighting around you. It comes in three neat colors; Black, Raspberry, and Jade.

Just like the11th Gen Signature Edition, there’s a new Paperwhite Signature Edition (12th Gen) too which has all of the features from the standard model, but with 32GB of storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting light sensors for roughly $50 more.

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Best entry-level

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. Amazon Kindle (11th Gen, 2024)

Best entry-level

Specifications

Display:6-inch display with built-in light, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:158g

Dimensions:157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mm

Storage:16GB

Battery life:Up to six weeks

Waterproofing:No

Colors:Black, Matcha

Reasons to buy

+Great value
+Front light is nifty
+Audible integration
+Lightweight design
+Bluetooth and USB-C charging

Reasons to avoid

-No water resistance

The entry-level Amazon Kindle is the perfect stepping stone if you’ve taken up reading as a hobby. The 2024 refresh comes in a fun Matcha shade, and it’s very compact and light weighing just 158g. It shares many of the features with the new Paperwhite like a 300 ppi display, 16GB of storage, Audible audiobook playback via Bluetooth, and the same max brightness of 94 nits. It does miss out on some features like the waterproofing, adjustable warm light, and has nearly half the battery life of up to six weeks.

The 2024 Amazon Kindle features faster page turns, and a front light that’s 25% brighter at max settings. Just like before, you can get it with or without lockscreen ads.

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Best for kids

(Image credit: Amazon)

3. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (12th Gen, 2024)

Best for kids

Specifications

Display:7-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:329g

Dimensions:132.2 x 178 x 13.2 mm

Storage:16GB

Battery life:Up to 12 weeks

Waterproofing:IPX8

Colors:Black Kindle with Starfish, Cyber City, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid cover

Reasons to buy

+Same great features of the standard Paperwhite
+Excellent value
+Two-year warranty
+Cover included
+USB Type-C port

Reasons to avoid

-Heavier device
-Only six months of Kids+ subscription (down from 1-year)

There’s never been a better device with a screen to hand to your kids than the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. This 12th Gen 2024 model gets all the same upgrades as the standard 2024 Paperwhite, but with a bundled cover and two years of “worry-free” warranty from Amazon. The latter entitles you to a ‘no-questions-asked’ replacement of the device in case it gets damaged through regular wear and tear. There are three new themes for the covers on the 2024 kids edition, which are Cyber City, Starfish, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

One of the other advanatge of getting the Kids edition of the Paperwhite is the six month subscription to Amazon Kids+. This used to be one year on the previous model, so its a bit of a downgrade actually. With this subscription though, your child will be able to read thousands of kid-friendly books for free. You can even restrict access to certian types of books for your child via the Amazon Kids+ Parent Dashboard app for Android and iOS.

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Best for writing

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)

Best for writing

Specifications

Display:10.2-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale

Weight:433g

Dimensions:196 x 230 x 5.7 mm

Storage:16GB, 32GB, 64GB

Battery life:Up to 12 weeks

Waterproofing:No

Colors:Black, Matcha

Reasons to buy

+Premium Pen included
+10.2-inch 300ppi e-paper display
+Improved design
+Amazing battery life with USB-C port
+16GB, 32GB, and 64GB memory variants

Reasons to avoid

-Not waterproof
-Large size can be uncomfortable to hold for long durations
-Expensive

The new Kindle Scribe (2024) comes with a redesigned display with evenly thick white borders all around it. The e-reader has the same 10.2-inch glare-free display as the firstKindle Scribe, and with the paper-like texture makes it feel like you’re writing on an actual piece of paper. The new design looks a lot more modern and the added color option is welcomed. Amazon has addressed ourbiggest complaint with the Scribe, and the 2024 model has something called Active Canvas which lets you annotate directly within the pages of the book. Not only that, your notes stay anchored to the text and adapt to the change in layout or font size. This is a fantastic new addition, which should make it easier to read your written notes.

The new Kindle Scribe lets you highlight text for the first time. There’s also an AI-driven summary feature that’ll come as an update next year, which is said to be able to summarize pages or the notes taken in the hideable side panel. The second generation Scribe has the same three storage variants, and starts at the same price too of $399.99. The e-reader ships with the Premium Pen which is weighted to feel like an actual pen and sticks magneticallly to the side of the Scribe. It even has a soft-tip eraser for erasing written notes.

Best color Kindle

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition

Best color Kindle

Specifications

Display:7-inch Colorsoft display, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi color, 16-level gray scale

Weight:219g

Dimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm

Storage:32GB

Battery life:Up to eight weeks

Waterproofing:IPX8

Colors:Metallic Black

Reasons to buy

+7-inch color display
+Up to eight weeks of battery life
+Same features as Paperwhite Signature Edition
+Supports wireless charging

Reasons to avoid

-Only comes in one color
-Pricey

This bold new addition to the Kindle family finally lets you read your graphic novels in full color. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition but with a new color display. The screen can show black and white content at 300 ppi, but also color at 150 ppi. This version also lets you highlight text in different colors. The paper-like colors should make browsing your library more vibrant and comic books more fun to read. The new Kindle Colorsoft has dedicated child profiles too, so you can share your Kindle with your kids.

The Colorsoft has a claimed battery life of up to eight weeks, which is pretty respectable for a color display. It’s only available in a single Metallic Black though, which means you’ll have to get a case for it if you want a different look. This is Amazon’s first attempt at a color Kindle, which it hopes will keep customers looking for a color e-reader from going to the competition like Onyx Boox. The Kindle Colorsoft only comes in one storage variant, and it’s a bit on the pricey side.

How to choose

Which is the best overall?

The Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is the best e-reader for most people, and it is an absolute steal for what’s on offer. The superb features — in the form of water resistance, a bigger display, and a warm light setting — represent a significant step up from the base Kindle, making the Paperwhite 2024 a no-brainer if you’re in the market for a new e-reader. If you’re simply looking to upgrade from an older device, like a 11th Gen Paperwhite, then this might not be a massive upgrade for you.

What if I’m looking for some extra features?

The Signature Edition of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) tablet is worth looking at if you need more storage and wireless charging, on top of the slew of features already included with the base version.

Which is the best for writing?

The new Kindle Scribe 2024 is currently the best option if you’re looking for anE Ink tabletsporting the Kindle brand. The improved note-taking abilities and upcoming AI-integration makes it a no-brainer over the first model. It is quite expensive though which means you need to make sure you’ll use all its features before making this commitment.

Why should I buy the Kids Paperwhite over the standard version?

If you have a child and you want to get them their own Kindle, you may be wondering why the Kids version of the Paperwhite is a better option than the non-Kids Paperwhite. While the ordinary Paperwhite is certainly a viable pick for a child, the Kids version comes with the Amazon Kids+ trial, along with the Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise tools. A range of cases more suitable for children makes the Kids’ edition of the Paperwhite potentially more appealing visually as well.

What if I want a color e-reader?

In the world of Kindle, you only have one choice right now and that’s the newly launched Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. It’s essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition but with a color display and a higher price tag. If you’re reading regular books, this might not be of great value. But if you have a vast comic book or graphic novel collection, viewing them in color would be an infinitely better experience.