Amazon released the Kindle Scribe as its first e-reader with stylus support, but how does it compare to the Kindle Oasis? The third-gen Kindle Oasis came out in 2019, and until the Kindle Scribe was launched, was Amazon’s most premium e-reader. Despite their higher price tags, the Scribe and Oasis have very different use cases, which prospective buyers will need to carefully evaluate before making a purchase.
The 10.2-inch Kindle Scribe is about the same size as the iPad, and is Amazon’s biggest Kindle. On the other hand, the Kindle Oasis, with its 7-inch display and ergonomic design, is more compact and ideal for reading on the go. While both Kindles feature a thick bezel on one side, the Oasis has a thick grip and physical page turn buttons that make it ideal for one-handed usage. While the Kindle Scribe is available in a single Tungsten color, the Oasis comes in two finishes – Graphite and Champagne Gold.
Scribe Vs. Oasis: Features, Storage, And Battery Life
Both Kindles have a screen resolution of 300 PPI and a 16-level grayscale setting. However, the Scribe is significantly brighter than the Oasis, thanks to the presence of 35 LEDs, versus 25 LEDs on the latter. The Kindle Scribe is also much heavier, weighing 433 grams, twice the weight of the Kindle Oasis which tips the scales at 188 grams. Both Kindles feature an adjustable warm light, automatic page orientation, and an IPX8 water resistance rating. Additionally, both the Scribe and Oasis let users listen to audiobooks via Audible by connecting Bluetooth headphones.
The Kindle Scribe’s headlining feature is support for stylus input, enabling users to write on the display. Users can fill out forms and sign PDFs, and while writing directly on e-books isn’t supported, it’s possible to create sticky notes and save them for future reference. In addition, the Kindle Scribe comes with preloaded page templates that can come in handy while creating notes, making it the ideal Kindle for students.
Users don’t need to buy the stylus separately as the company provides one in the box. There’s a choice of Basic and Premium Pens available. Both Pens attach magnetically to the side and don’t need to be charged, but the Premium Pen also offers additional features such as a dedicated eraser and shortcut button. Regarding storage, Kindle Scribe has three variants that offer 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage, whereas the Kindle Oasis comes in only 8GB or 32GB models.
Amazon claims the Kindle Scribe can last up to 12 weeks “based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless off and light setting at 13.” In comparison, the Kindle Oasis can last for up to six weeks based on the same settings. However, when used for writing, the Kindle Scribe’s battery comes down to three weeks “based on a half-hour period of writing per day.” While the Kindle Scribe features a USB-C port and takes about 2.5 hours to charge, the older Kindle Oasis charges via a micro-USB port and takes about three hours to charge.
On the product page, Amazon mentions that it will provide software security updates “until at least four years after the device is last available for purchase,” applicable to both models. Those who want an e-reader with a larger display and the ability to write should go for the Kindle Scribe, which is starts at $339 for the 16GB version with the Basic Pen. For that price, users also get Kindle Unlimited for four months. For users who are more interested in the reading experience and portability, Amazon‘s Kindle Oasis is a cheaper and better option, starting at $249 for the 8GB version with lock screen ads and three months of Kindle Unlimited.
