Seattle — Amazon's New Aluminum E-Reader Earns 7 of 10 From Wired

Amazon's newest e-reader, built with a metal shell instead of plastic, costs $190 and earned a 7-out-of-10 score from Wired reviewer Nena Farrell in a review published Oct. 12, 2026 (Wired).

The device is part of a lineup Amazon announced earlier this month that also refreshed its Paperwhite and Colorsoft models, according to the review. Farrell tested the metal-bodied version against the standard plastic reader and concluded the upgrade's features "are not really enough to validate the price change," even as she said she found herself "loving it" anyway.

What Does the New Metal Body Change?

The 12th-generation device keeps the same 6-inch screen as its predecessor, Wired reported, but the overall shape differs. The screen now sits flush with the body rather than recessed, and the case measures a quarter-inch shorter than the 2024 plastic version, per the review. The aluminum back adds weight compared with plastic, which Farrell described as noticeable but not uncomfortable during use.

How Does the Price Compare to the Plastic Model?

At $190, the metal version costs more than the plastic edition, though Wired's review did not list the plastic model's exact price. The metal model does include 32 gigabytes of storage, double the capacity Farrell cited for the base plastic unit, and ships without lock-screen advertisements built in. The plastic version can remove ads only as a paid add-on, according to the review.

"The Kindle Aluminum has no right to be this beautiful." — Nena Farrell, Wired, Oct. 12, 2026

What Features Are Missing Compared With Pricier Models?

Unlike the new Signature Edition versions of the Paperwhite and Colorsoft, the aluminum base reader lacks a warm-light setting and an auto-adjusting front light, Wired found. It is also incompatible with the company's Page Turn Cover accessory, though it does work with a new remote control sold separately, the review noted. The metal model and the Signature Editions share the same built-in AI features, according to Farrell's testing.

Which Colors Are Offered, and Does That Change the Calculus?

The metal version comes in two finishes, Seaglass Green and Alpine Sky, while the plastic edition offers black and a purple shade, Wired reported. Farrell wrote that the blue finish drew enthusiastic reactions from several people she showed it to, including a colleague who said photos alone made her want one despite preferring printed books. Still, the review noted buyers seeking a particular color could instead purchase a case for an existing device rather than pay for the new hardware.

Is the Upgrade Worth It for Current Owners?

Farrell's verdict centers on value rather than performance: the reading experience itself has not changed meaningfully, she wrote, even though the design and finish represent a clear step up from prior all-black, all-plastic generations. For owners of a working prior-generation reader, the review frames the aluminum model as a cosmetic and storage upgrade rather than a functional one, leaving the purchase decision largely down to how much a buyer values the new finishes and extra storage at the $190 price point.