Here’s a quick comparison between the new Kindle for 2024 and the previous 2022 model.
Amazon only changed a few details with the new 2024 model. In fact, they changed so little they’re still calling it an 11th generation Kindle like the 2022 model (yeah, that’s going to lead to some confusion).
The overall design remains the same. They just changed the screen and made the frontlight a little brighter on the new version. They also did away with the blue color and replaced it with a matcha green color, and there’s a black color option for both years as well.
All the key specs are the same on both models, and the overall size and weight are exactly the same, so covers for the 2022 model fit the 2024 model and vice versa.
The software features are exactly the same too. There are a couple of technical differences with the 2024 model, like the fact that it uses MTP now and download and transfer is no longer available, but all the main reading features are the same and so is the overall performance, like page turn speed and loading times.
Here are the four main differences between the 2024 model and the 2022 Kindle:
The Screen
The main change with the 2024 Kindle is Amazon is using a newer E Ink screen with better contrast. It’s still the same size (6″) with the same resolution (300 ppi), but the black ink is a little darker on the 2024 model, and the screen is slightly clearer overall so text stands out more, but the difference is pretty subtle.
The Frontlight
Amazon claims the frontlight is 25% brighter at the highest setting on the 2024 Kindle. Side-by-side with the 2022 model you can tell it is slightly brighter, but I don’t know why anyone would care or even use full brightness.
Otherwise the frontlights look pretty much the same on both of my units. Maybe the new one has slightly less shadows at the bottom of the screen, but both are very even overall, and both of my units have the same color tone so there’s really not much of a difference between them at all.
The 2024 Kindle still lacks the warm light setting that’s available on other Kindle models like the Paperwhite, and there’s no auto-brightness sensor either.
Switch to MTP
The 2024 Kindle now uses MTP (media transfer protocol) instead of USB mass storage when connecting it to a computer with a USB cable.
For Windows users MTP works great without any additional work, but Mac users need to install 3rd-party MTP software. Amazon now offers MTP support for Macs with their Send-to-Kindle for Mac app.
Download and Transfer
The option to download purchased ebooks from Amazon’s website to transfer them via USB is no longer available for any of the new Kindles for 2024.
Considering they’re both considered 11th gen Kindles, it weird the 2022 model still has this option and the 2024 model does not.
If this is an important feature for you then you’ll probably want to avoid newer Kindles unless you already have an older one. Most people don’t use D&T, but if you want the ability to remove the DRM from your purchased ebooks it’ll be a lot harder without D&T.
The Price
One other difference, Amazon increased the price of the 2024 Kindle by $10 to $109 for the ad-suppored version and $129 for the version without lockscreen ads.
11th Gen Kindles Comparison Video
