Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: Colour comes at a cost

Distraction-free devices promise calm in a noisy digital age. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft leans fully into that promise. It combines reading, writing and colour on an E Ink screen, and it does so with confidence.

Amazon has refreshed the Scribe line-up with three new models, and the Colorsoft sits firmly at the top. It brings colour to the Scribe line for the first time, alongside a larger 11-inch display, a faster processor and a slimmer build. Despite the bigger screen, it is lighter than the previous model, which makes long reading and writing sessions more comfortable.

The screen is the star of the show. Colour book covers add warmth to the home screen, and highlights appear instantly without flicker. In low light, the improved front light makes a clear difference.

According to Engadget, text looks easy on the eyes, and colours look bright by E Ink standards. Writing feels smooth and responsive —  the Premium Pen glides across the screen with little resistance, and the faster response makes note-taking feel natural.

The pen now clings more securely to the tablet, though the lack of a proper holder still feels like a missed opportunity. The redesigned home screen, with its Quick Note panel, offers faster access to blank pages, even if some users may prefer a physical shortcut.

New software features focus on search and light use of artificial intelligence. Notebook search can be impressive when it works, pulling tasks and names from handwritten notes. It can also stumble on messy handwriting and lose context. These tools feel optional rather than essential.

The elephant in the room, however, is the price. At $630, the Colorsoft costs far more than many rivals. For readers who also want a premium digital notebook, and who value colour, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft delivers. For everyone else, it might make sense as a luxury.