Amazon Kindle Oasis

Amazon's Kindle Oasis, released in 2021, is already impressive when unpacked. Comparable to Apple products, it comes in a Frustration-Free packaging and can be put into operation immediately. Strikingly positive is the great user interface and handiness, which is the lightest eBook reader distinguish the Kindle series. One same-print resolution complement the picture. Our review of that powerful Kindle Oasis creates a mostly positive image, which is easily associated with the Kindle Travel or the noticeably larger PocketBook Touch Lux 3 is comparable.

The Kindle Oasis impresses with its great design, a certain lightness and ease of use. It is, so to speak, the "Porsche" among e-readers, which delivers a razor-sharp image with 300 ppi. Unfortunately, the good resolution and the simple user interface are overshadowed by the weak battery.

Amazon-style support

In addition to the usual charger, the scope of delivery consists of the eReader itself and a functional case. This not only protects the device adequately, but also expands it by a whole battery capacity. Months of reading time without loading is promised, which unfortunately cannot be kept (more on that later).

After putting it into operation for the first time, you quickly realize that the Kindle Oasis comes from Amazon. It is therefore not unusual that an Amazon account must be registered in order to fully exploit the capabilities of the Oasis. Once this is done, the user's preferences can be clicked on in a list of various genres in order to generate a personalized list of recommendations. In addition, a 7-day pass for "Kindle unlimited" is automatically activated, with which more than one million books can be accessed free of charge.

The lightest and thinnest Kindle yet

The shape of the eBook reader is particularly determined by its slim, handy and asymmetrical appearance. At just 14,3 x 12,2 x 0,3-0,8 cm (H x W x D), the Oasis is tiny compared to the PocketBook or tolino and still doesn't lose any of its practicality. Because although a fast-reacting touchscreen provides comfort, there are two small scroll buttons on the right side of the Kindle Oasis, which - as the name suggests - can be used to turn the pages while reading. It's not for nothing that the scroll keys are on the right, as the ergonomic shape should make it easy to hold and read.

The right edge has a depth of 0,8 cm and the intended weighting is intended to create the optimal balance in the hand, like a folded book spine. Even if that sounds like a marketing gimmick, in our opinion there is something to the successful idea. By the way, left-handers don't have to worry, the display and the scroll keys adapt to the hand position and rotate 180 degrees.

Included smart cover

The narrow side, which takes up about two thirds of the eBook reader, is surprisingly thin with a depth of only 0,3 cm. The Oasis owes its net weight of just an unbelievable 138 grams not only to the small dimensions, but also to the metal-coated, light and yet robust frame does its part. If the Kindle Oasis needs to be stowed away somewhere, the included leather case can help. The Kindle Oasis can be connected to the Smart Cover via a magnet, after which the depth of the back is almost leveled out. When closed, a magnet holds the charging case securely on the display, and when it is opened, the wake function turns on the display.

As already mentioned, the 98 gram smart case is equipped with an additional battery, which delivers 1290 "additional" milliampere hours. In addition, however, it is relative, since the built-in battery only has 245 milliampere hours. This is the end after just two to three hours when using Wi-Fi and setting the display to a high brightness level. Thanks to the charging case, it can be read for about 12 hours. Depending on the settings, online status and brightness, this can also be around 20 hours or more.

The case is only charged via the connected eReader, which can be connected with a simple mini USB. Compared to other e-readers, however, the Smart Cover offers absolutely no competitive battery life. This is how the Touch Lux 3 or that run, for example tolino vision 4 HD significantly longer. The "longest-lasting Kindle battery" thus adapts to the Kindle series and is somewhat inferior to other models in terms of battery life.

Customized Android works

In contrast to the battery, the Kindle Oasis convinces with its operating system. Like the Kindle Voyage, an adapted Android (Linux) operating system is installed on the Kindle Oasis, which adapts the operation well to the reader and is easy to use at the same time. The start screen shows the saved books, the individual recommendation list and a kind of wish list with books that you can mark in the shop for a later purchase. Above that is the main control bar, on which you can find a “Home”, a “Back”, a “Settings” and a “Shop” button. In addition, a quick search for books (both for your library and for the shop) can be started. 

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The children are also thought of

The software's features are located on the right edge of the taskbar. Three dots indicate a drop-down menu, which also offers the functions "vocabulary trainer", beta browser and "Kindle FreeTime". The last function lets you save books that you think are suitable for children and you can set reading goals accordingly. The vocabulary trainer automatically adds the words you look up while reading and can be repeated in the program.

The settings come in two layouts. When you click on the control bar, a menu appears that covers half the screen. Flight mode can be switched on and off, synchronization started and the light regulated. In addition, you can see the exact battery status of the Kindle Oasis and the case as a percentage. Another button then opens “all settings”. Below this, you can make adjustments for the registered Amazon account and control the so-called “household and family library”. Up to two adult profiles can set up to four child profiles and fill them with content.

Under the device features, an unlock password can be set and the reading options allow setting the vocabulary flashcards and when a page should be refreshed. Similar to the Touch Lux 3, it can be refreshed after each page turn to minimize a possible ghost effect.

Great resolution and readability

In the standard setting, the 6-inch glass display shows 22 lines, which are shown in the usual serif font. All menu items appear sans serif. However, the font size can be changed directly by pressing the touchscreen with two fingers. By pressing the upper quarter of the screen, the control bar appears and thus the possibility to return to the start page. It's fun to read, and the lightweight construction and physical flip buttons on the side mean you don't even notice the time passing.

The sharpness corresponds to the same as with printed paper, namely 300 ppi (pixels per inch). This is similar to the new Kindle Paperwhite model. In addition, a high brightness can be set, even if this is not recommended due to the weak battery. The display is mirror-resistant and can be used at high Lighting, eg by the sun, still great read.

The E Ink Carta technology is used for this, which probably had to be adapted a bit for the narrow design. In medium lighting, however, this is not noticeable in the contrast. The Kindle Oasis is in the middle with 7,97:1. The reader has a contrast of 9,89:1 in full light, which puts it in the top half of the tested models. Unlike the Kindle Voyage (six LEDs), the Kindle Oasis is illuminated by a whopping ten LEDs that literally flood the screen. The high resolution, contrast and lighting are definitely the hallmarks of Amazon's ultra-compact flagship.