Quote:
Originally Posted by ZodWallop
The new Paperwhite looks like a very nice upgrade in my opinion. They've managed to make the Paperwhite almost as nice as the Voyage (nicer in some ways: double the storage, waterproofing and Bluetooth) for a much cheaper price.
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I don't think Amazon managed it, they simply thus declared it so. The only $10 price increase compared to the old PW does not justify the upgrades. But making it a tiny bit more expensive shows that the PW is a different reader now. Amazon is again competing with price to undercut competitors.
Soon the features of the PW4 is going to be the mainstream 6" reader and others have to match it. The Clara 2 when it comes out next year will have to add water proofing to stay competetive with the PW. Amazon OTOH can sell their readers without color changing leds, because non of their premium readers ever had them. Kobo cannot afford to introduce the next reader without color changing leds, because they promoted them as necessary.
PW4 is a Voyage with a smaller profit margin. Hardware wise the missing buttons and light sensor probably save enough money to add waterproofing. Realistically it should be more expensive. Add in the plastic screen substrate, and you have Kobo Forma top end model feature in an entry level lighted reader. That is also an upgrade from the Voyage with glass substrate.