3 reasons to be worried if you're looking for a cheap Kindle this Prime Day

Date:
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 12:55:43 +0000

Description:
There's a lot of interest in this year's Amazon Prime Day Kindle deals, but I'm worried that too many factors could lead to disappointing offers again.

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In the run-up to last years Amazon Prime Day , so many people I spoke to said they planned to buy a new Kindle in the sale. I proudly told them it was a smart move, as Ive said countless times before, because Prime Day is when Amazon Devices are available for their lowest-ever prices. Then the big sale rolled around, and we saw some of the most disappointing Kindle deals in recent memory . Yikes.

Another year on and Im hearing those same hopes and dreams from friends, family and colleagues who are eyeing up a new ereader for Prime Day. And Im here to tell you that, uh oh, I dont think its going to be any better in
2025. New tech, new higher prices

First up, two updated models of the most popular Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite were launched in October last year. That led to some welcome, if also fairly underwhelming, deals in the Black Friday sales.

Since then, Ive been able to count the number of price cuts on these ereaders in both the US and the UK on one hand. Compared to the regular and aggressive discounts on the last generation Kindles, it seems Amazon is more reluctant
to discount the new and improved versions.

Of course, they will definitely be reduced for Prime Day. Thats a given. Amazon itself has even teased that deals on the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite are coming in the sale. Still, I cant see them going as low as Ive seen in years past. The days of a $59.99 / 34.99 Kindle are, sadly, long gone. The Kindle Colorsoft could fall to a record-low price this Prime Day, but don't expect it to be cheap. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

And thats before I mention the Kindle Scribe and Kindle Colorsoft. These two devices are certainly in line for deals over Prime Day, but given that they are already more expensive premium models with advanced features and capabilities, you wont be seeing them for cheap. Kindle is king

I also think that, with the way so much anticipation is placed on Prime Day
as the best time to pick up Amazon products, the retailer doesnt necessarily need to go for such substantial discounts on its most popular items any more. Sure, itll slash an Echo Dot or Fire TV Stick to nothing to get Alexa and the Amazon ecosystem in your home, but the Kindle is a different proposition.

Despite admirable competition from the likes of Kobo and Onyx, the Kindle is still well-established as one of the best ereaders you can buy. Amazon knows its onto a winner with this one.

Current readers are also potentially locked into an existing collection of books from Amazons exclusive library, set up with recurring Kindle Unlimited subscriptions, and enjoying the benefits of regular free books through Prime. Lots of long-time Kindle users have a vast library built up already and lots of free books available all the time. (Image credit: Future)

When you weigh those things up, its hard to see why Amazon would want to sell Kindles for as cheaply as it has done in the past. I think thats played into why discounts have been fewer and smaller recently. And then theres
everything else going on

Lastly, there are a handful of other wider factors to consider that Im bundling together here. Were living in a world where everything costs more nowadays. The tariff nonsense still has manufacturers and retailers jumpy. Consumer spending power is generally down across the board.

As a British bloke with a film degree, Im not going to dare wade in on the specifics of how these will affect the price of a Kindle, but I dont need to study economics to know its all having an impact. Amazon is undoubtedly considering all of this when it comes to setting prices for its members-only sale. The same members its charging extra to if you want ads removed on Prime Video .

Im prepared to be pleasantly surprised, but Im not hopeful. Just putting it all together, the tech is newer, the discounts throughout the year have slowed, Prime Day is a well-established sale, and the current state of the world all point towards another disappointing year for Kindle deals.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tablets/ereaders/3-reasons-to-be-worried-if-youre-lo oking-for-a-cheap-kindle-this-prime-day


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