Amazon's Kindle Scribe Expands with Front-Light-Free Model

The final new Kindle Scribe, Amazon's e-reader that boasts digital notebook features and a larger screen, which was promised in 2025, has finally arrived. The Kindle Scribe Without Front Light ($430) was announced last year, but is available starting today. In the past, Amazon has launched a single version of the Kindle Scribe at a time.

But the third-generation Kindle Scribe ($500) came with two variations: the colorful Kindle Scribe Colorsoft ($630) that launched last year, and the new front-light-free version. It's a surprise to see a new version that specifically lacks a feature, especially one as useful as a front light. But it puts the new Kindle Scribe in a similar price range and with a similar battery life to the new ReMarkable Paper Pure ($399) that launched last month.

Amazon may be looking to better compete with ReMarkable's lineup by launching more versions of its own digital notebooks with similar price ranges, as the Kindle Colorsoft has a similar price to the colorful ReMarkable Paper Pro. However, the older second-generation Kindle Scribe ($400) is still available for a little cheaper and with a front light, but without some other features (primarily AI and connectivity, so nothing major to cut back on the overall device abilities). That gives you a surprising number of options if you're looking to spend less and get some of the best digital notebook software available.

A Kindle Scribe is my go-to for a quick note or brainstorm session, while ReMarkable's digital notebooks have more powerful tools and connectivity to use as a work tool without staring at a bright screen. All three gadgets have their merits, but I had to find out: Which one was better? Maybe I'm biased, but the older $400 Kindle Scribe still landed on top for me.

Here's why. The second-gen Kindle Scribe with the warm front light on in daylight. There's a lot to discuss between all of these notebooks, but one of the biggest feature changes that you'll notice in day-to-day use is the lack of a front light.

A front light illuminates the screen of an e-reader or digital notebook so you can use it in darker rooms, and the option to have a warm color light is popular on more expensive models like the Kindle Paperwhite compared to budget devices. Why this matters: The introduction of a front-light-free Kindle Scribe model reflects Amazon's strategy to offer a range of digital notebook options, competing directly with ReMarkable's lineup. This expansion provides consumers with more choices, but also raises questions about the importance of features like front lighting.

For developers and businesses, this move highlights the evolving digital notebook market, where device capabilities and pricing are critical factors. As the market continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these devices integrate with other tools and services, and what new features will emerge to differentiate them. Ultimately, the increased competition and variety in digital notebooks will likely benefit consumers, driving innovation and potentially lower prices in the long run.