reading in full sunlight - does it overheat?

[Derell Licht]

I used the standard Paperwhite for *years*; I always carry my Kindle in a protective case, and it is common for me to sit out in direct sunlight and read. The Paperwhite Kindles never had any problem with this, even after several hours.

A few years ago, I got an Oasis, because I really love the larger screen. Sadly, I've found that the Oasis does *not* like direct sun, at least in the protective case; my first Oasis actually died after about one month of outdoor use. Amazon cheerfully replaced it, and the new Oasis at least gives me a high-temperature warning when it starts to get uncomfortable - that reminds me to take it out of the protective case... as long as the reader is out in open air, it seems to be okay... but I'd like to not have to worry about this issue...

So, my question is, have folks been using the new 6.8" Paperwhite in full sun? Does it overheat if it is in a protective case?? I really don't want to buy a new Kindle, then have the same issue...

[Paperbackstash]

I had no idea the devices would give a warning for getting high-temperature. I wouldn't think the Oasis would be more sensitive to the sunlight than the paperwhite, but that's interesting.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

I had no idea the devices would give a warning for getting high-temperature. I wouldn't think the Oasis would be more sensitive to the sunlight than the paperwhite, but that's interesting.

I don't know about how the Oasis feels about sunlight, but it does get uncomfortably warm for me to hold in sunlight, I guess to balance how uncomfortably cold it is for me to hold in a cool room.

[Barbara1955]

Not how Sunny it is... you can get Sunny days in Winter! Its how Hot it is!

https://saunaverse.com/can-you-use-a-kindle-in-a-sauna/

Maybe this will help

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Barbara1955

Not how Sunny it is... you can get Sunny days in Winter! Its how Hot it is!

Direct sunlight has made my KOA2 uncomfortably warm to hold on a cool day.

[tomsem]

I would be surprised if the PW5 was any different than the PW4 in this respect, and I have not seen any reports of either overheating. Amazon marketing surely shows people using them in the sun routinely.

That said, they are black, which in direct sun, will convert that to heat. It can’t be entirely healthy for electronics. My phone will overheat if it is in direct sun for too long. As will I.

I use mine outdoors very rarely, and don’t use a cover, so cannot relate my own experience.

[Deskisamess]

Early Kindles suffered from "sun fade." I remember reading about it on the old Amazon forums. The text would actually fade out, and the issue would resolve when the device cooled down.


If the outside temp is over 85, you won't find me outside for long periods. It was very warm on beach trip in 2019, but I was usually under an umbrella. Even in those 90+ temps, my Paperwhite was fine.

[Derell Licht]

Hi all; thanks for the responses!!

First, I should note that once I take the Oasis out of the protective case, so it gets a little air movement, it cools off just fine... the problem has been, generally, that I keep forgetting about it until I get the over-heating warning!! I'm so glad they put that in... my first Oasis just froze with the current page on the screen, and never responded to a keystroke or touch again. Fortunately, Amazon happily sent me a replacement.

So to return to the core question; nobody actually knows whether the 6.8" Paperwhite will perform more like the legacy Paperwhite (which I could read in its case in full sun, all day, and never have an issue) or more like the Gen10 Oasis?? I had asked this same question on the Kindle support forum, got one response from an Amazon person, which basically side-stepped my question without answering it, and when I asked for clarification, I got no further responses...

[j.p.s]

I've been assuming it's the metal back on the Oasis, but maybe it's the faster processor. Since it has only just been released, how can anyone outside amazon know?

After people in the tropics and southern hemisphere have had a chance to use it for a bit, maybe someone will post.

[Paperbackstash]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I've been assuming it's the metal back on the Oasis, but maybe it's the faster processor. Since it has only just been released, how can anyone outside amazon know?

After people in the tropics and southern hemisphere have had a chance to use it for a bit, maybe someone will post.

Hmmm good point, metal may heat easier sooner.

Like other posters above, I am not a fan of the heat so rarely read in direct sunlight wrong. I read on the porch or when it's nice outside, but I overheat easily myself

[Paperbackstash]

Originally Posted by Derell Licht

Hi all; thanks for the responses!!

First, I should note that once I take the Oasis out of the protective case, so it gets a little air movement, it cools off just fine... the problem has been, generally, that I keep forgetting about it until I get the over-heating warning!! I'm so glad they put that in... my first Oasis just froze with the current page on the screen, and never responded to a keystroke or touch again. Fortunately, Amazon happily sent me a replacement.

Again I'm kind of fascinated now this over-heating warning. It's good it does that. I'm curious, how long are you reading outside, and how hot is it? I've read outside during lunches when used to work in office, and it was 90's some days.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I've been assuming it's the metal back on the Oasis, but maybe it's the faster processor. Since it has only just been released, how can anyone outside amazon know?

After people in the tropics and southern hemisphere have had a chance to use it for a bit, maybe someone will post.

Only 20% of the world's population live in the Southern Hemisphere, and probably much less than 20% of them are in the sort of socio-economic demographic to consider buying Oases, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for their reply.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Only 20% of the world's population live in the Southern Hemisphere, and probably much less than 20% of them are in the sort of socio-economic demographic to consider buying Oases, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for their reply.

All the more reason it is too soon for anyone outside amazon to know the answer. But there are plenty of northern hemisphere tropical areas with plenty of well to do people and places like southern Florida are close enough to tropical for investigating this topic. And the topic of investigation is PW5 overheating by the Sun, not the Oases, where it is already known to be possible.

[solitarywolf]

I would say that any electronic device doesn't like it when its too warm outside. Specially in the heat of a closed car. Reading outside is OK, but if its too warm to the touch, best to cool it down. Just a general rule of thumb for any electronics.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by solitarywolf

I would say that any electronic device doesn't like its too warm outside. Specially in the heat of a closed car. Reading outside is OK, but if its too warm to the touch, best to cool it down. Just a general rule of thumb for any electronics.

Yes, but the topic here is the question whether the new PW5 is more susceptible to overheating in sunshine than other kindles, such as the metal backed Oases models are already known to be.

I wonder if maybe it is the hard glass outer layer on the Oasis that is trapping heat from the sun.