This is, I believe, my first Amazon review. Unlike some of the other reviewers for this device, this is also my first Kindle - and my first e-ink reader.
So, here's what I think of the Oasis 2 after my first 24 hours with the device:
Let's start with the pros. I love how light this thing is. I had used an iPad as an ebook reader for a long time, and then my iPhone after that. The iPad was simply too heavy to read comfortably for a long time. On my iPhone (6S+) the screen just felt too cramped. On both, the display fatigued my eyes after even a short while reading. The Oasis 2 could not be more different. The text is crisp and clear, the device is easy to hold one-handed (in part thanks to the bump on the back), the screen size feels perfect and only slightly different in dimension to many trade paperbacks, and the front-lit screen is evenly lit and easy on the eyes with a lot of control over the level of illumination. The number of titles Amazon offers in their Kindle store is staggering, and I'm especially excited that I can check out books from my library via Overdrive and have them directly and wirelessly sent right to my Kindle.
The menu system is a little clunky to a first-timer, but it's intuitive enough for anyone who's ever had a smartphone (which is pretty much everyone). The display itself loads new pages quickly, and the touch responsiveness is very accurate. While the touch controls work just fine for flipping pages I'm a big fan of the page turn buttons, which are raised and easy to find, and have a tactile clicky feel without making a loud clicky sound. They're not silent, but you won't have to worry that they're disturbing your sleeping partner if you're reading in bed. The screen on my device is the same slightly off-white color as most books, and the illumination is a bit on the cool-white side (both of which I like).
Now for cons. I ended up getting an Oasis with special offers to save myself a few bucks. I heard most people say the ads aren't very annoying or intrusive, and I would agree with about half of that. They certainly aren't intrusive, but I couldn't be less in the target demographic for the ads that are shown on my device which is more than a little annoying. Almost all of them are books in the apparently large genre of erotic vampire fantasy. Almost all the covers feature women staring into the distance with sexy eyes. It's... a little awkward to leave sitting on my desk at work or on the arm of the couch around my wife and kids. Keep in mind, I've never owned or even picked up a book like this - physical or digital - in my life. Nothing I've ever purchased on Amazon even seems related, far as I can see. Maybe it's just because I'm new to the Kindle ecosystem and the ads will naturally tailor themselves to my actual taste as I download more books or whatever. But I find myself wanting to pony up the $20 to remove ads so I don't have to awkwardly explain I'm not into vampire sexy times and Amazon is just being weird. If that was Amazon's plan all along, then they're truly evil masterminds. I suspect I'm just unlucky. Or maybe the Powers That Be know me better than I know myself. I dunno.
I can't stand the auto-brightness for the LED lit display. It seems like it always just jumps up to near max, even when I'm reading in a well-lit room. Under those conditions especially, I don't want to use the LED lights at all, let alone crank them up to their max setting. For now I've simply disabled the auto-brightness feature altogether and I manually adjust the brightness as desired. This is a little clunky, though, and I wish the auto-brightness worked more to my satisfaction.
I haven't bothered to look at how Amazon tested the device to determine that it has weeks of battery life, but I suspect for heavy readers that won't hold up - especially if you make good use of the lit display. After charging my device to full I read for maybe four total hours with the display conservatively lit. I seemed to be somewhere around 50 or 66% battery after that (the battery doesn't display a percentage, only an inscrutable image grumblegrumble). That's not bad for a first charge, but I'd rather know how many hours of active use the device has instead of some stupid and vague marketing estimate probably based on 30 minutes of daily use with the screen lighting turned off and the device in airplane mode.
Last bit for cons. I've taken my Oasis with me everywhere over the last 24 horus, and winter in my neck of the woods is frigid. Because of this, there are a few times when I've pulled my Kindle out after coming in from outside where the all-aluminum chassis has been jarring to hold. It's a very minor quibble, and I suspect I'll appreciate the sturdier design more in the long run than I mind holding a cold device for a few minutes. I do wonder how easy to grip the aluminum chassis will feel with sweaty summer hands.
For me personally, the pros have far outweighed the cons. I'd say most of the cons are relatively minor things compared to the pros, which are pretty significant for me... with the possible exception of the horny vampire ladies. As for whether this is a good purchase for you, well, I can't say. I don't have experience with Amazon's other Kindles so I can't directly compare. I can say that at this point I'm very happy with my purchase, and it has been much more enjoyable to read digital books on the e-ink screen compared to an LCD or OLED display. The particular feel of this device (with the bump on the back) makes it exceptionally comfortable to hold for an extended period. If you've got the disposable income and you're interested in this device I think you'll be happy. I haven't had the Oasis 2 for long, and if anything changes - bad or good - I'll be updating my review accordingly.
Last thing I want to do is address some common things I've read in other reviews. I've seen a number of folks comment that the quality of their display was not acceptable. The two common complaints were that the coloration was uneven and/or that the text was blurry on one half of the screen. I have not experienced that problem at all. I'm not saying that wasn't an issue at some time, but it is possible that there was a bad run of devices and Amazon's worked out the kinks. I've also read that some people find the device edges 'sharp' and uncomfortable. I can see that for sure, but I haven't found that to be a problem for me. Different folks will have different tolerances, and if you hold the device with one corner resting in the palm of your hand for an extended time it may become uncomfortable. Again, I didn't find it to be an issue, but your mileage may vary.
Customers say
Customers find this Kindle reader to be the best on the market with a 7-inch screen that's light enough to hold with one hand and can read in bright sunlight. The page turn buttons are intuitive, and the display is sharp and clear. The battery life receives mixed feedback, with some finding it excellent while others say it's not great, and opinions on value for money are divided between those who find it worth the price and those who consider it overpriced.
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520 customers mention reading ability, 475 positive, 45 negative
Kindle oasis is a great product with an amazing battery life and has a great resolution. I love it!Read more
Great reader, easy to use, light weight and feels good in your hand. I would definitely get a cover for it, without it it is smooth and slick....Read more
So far, so good. I have this Kindle for about 2 weeks now and its a great device. Feels great in my hands and I really love the page turn buttons!...Read more
Great E-Reader. But the case is too slippery. It's tough to keep ahold of when reading in bed. A textured case would give this one 5 stars.Read more
426 customers mention screen size, 317 positive, 109 negative
...The larger screen, the improved backlighting, the balance of the device in your hand, etc all add significantly to that user experience I mentioned...Read more
...1b - It's an awkward size. While I like the bigger screen, it also means that you can't fit it into your pocket like other Kindle's or even into the...Read more
...It works well for all of these applications, except for small kludgey bits, like the way it handles illustrations in some documents....Read more
I think it is the best version , like the screen size, just fine, smooth operation, and best display, with beautiful design, but one regret is the...Read more
344 customers mention weight, 266 positive, 78 negative
...Let's start with the pros. I love how light this thing is. I had used an iPad as an ebook reader for a long time, and then my iPhone after that....Read more
...I love how lightweight and easy to hold the Oasis is. Great for on the go reading,the size makes it easy to slip in purse or roomy jacket pockets....Read more
...The small size, light weight, long battery life, built-in audible, automatic light adjustment, and waterproof features make it a perfect for my...Read more
...The bigger form factor comes with a tradeoff: the Oasis 2 is heavier and harder to wield than its predecessor....Read more
285 customers mention lighting, 227 positive, 58 negative
...larger screen size, choice of buttons or touch to change page, extra lighting, ability to change hands and have the text flip when the reader flips,...Read more
...I love that it looks like I'm reading a paper book and there's no glare, allowing me to read outside or by natural light.Read more
I like everything about this. Nice size easy to hold, light weight, bright and easy to read. I really like the page turning buttons.Read more
...The other issue is the adaptive lighting. Either it doesn't work or it takes a long time to kick in....Read more
273 customers mention page turn buttons, 204 positive, 69 negative
...controls work just fine for flipping pages I'm a big fan of the page turn buttons, which are raised and easy to find, and have a tactile clicky feel...Read more
...to perfect ereader as it gets - the size, the uniform light, physical buttons I just can't imagine anything better than that....Read more
...biggest beef with the Paperwhite was the slowwww software and lack of physical buttons....Read more
...The page turning buttons and screen rotations are very responsive and work well. My biggest gripe about this model is it's battery life....Read more
230 customers mention screen clarity, 200 positive, 30 negative
Oasis E-reader has great screen and I am sure I will use Audible on it....but I do have Audible on my phone so I am not sure this is worth the extra...Read more
...It is so light and easy to hold. The letters are crisp, clear and easy to read, now if I could just get my husband to leave it alone so I can read....Read more
...I'm adjusting. Otherwise, I love the form factor, clarity, water handling, and responsiveness. Worth the cost, for me.Read more
Recently received my Kindle Oasis. The screen is great; the one inch larger screen makes a big difference, especially since I have difficulty...Read more
547 customers mention battery life, 190 positive, 357 negative
...The main reason for my disappointment is the battery life. I was so excited When I read that the battery in the Oasis could las for up to a month....Read more
...I have been pleased with their performance, great features and a long battery life. This device has gone from big and bulky to small and compact....Read more
...Unfortunately the poor battery life appears to be inherent in the product, possibly because it only goes into sleep mode and cannot truly be turned...Read more
...This one has terrible battery life and the screen cracked horizontally across the middle of the screen within a few days and I don't know why....Read more
265 customers mention value for money, 112 positive, 153 negative
...Oasis but it seemed a bit inconvenient with the charging case and overpriced. I read all the reviews (Amazon site and online experts)....Read more
...For me it was worth the upgrade. The weight is still less than a paperwhite, and the weight never bothered me. The cover is nice also....Read more
...All i can say is the oasis is amazing. Expensive, but amazing. I understand all the complaints. To me, they are all overblown. Non issues....Read more
...All in all, worth it. Especially with the deals amazon is offering for a trade-in....Read more
Is BIGGER BETTER?
For the 2017 Kindle Oasis the answer seems to be yes-Here’s why- One of the first things you notice, after the size increase, is the total look and feel of quality: Refined aluminum outer shell that will resist scratches. Page turn buttons-similar to the last Oasis version. Well balanced when in the hand. The lighting seems to be the best that the Kindle team has put forward yet- It seems they have taken prior criticism to heart and made a focus on making the lighting as flawless as possible. Overall fit and finish-this thing looks and feels refined. You get the same sense of quality you get when you pick up an Ipad (whether you like Apple or not). Faster page turns. Lighting/ Screen quality: Amazon must have taken poor reviews on some other models to heart and focused on eliminating these issues. Now with 12 LED bulbs, the lighting is more uniform than any prior unit. Far better than the Paperwhite (while decent for the money- the Oasis is far better). I would rank the Voyage as having a more even screen than my 2016 Oasis-The 2017 OASIS HAS THE BEST SCREEN YET). The screen has a warmer hue than the Paperwhite, Voyage or Oasis 1. No visible light cones. 7” screen displays more text for less page flips. Graphics look better-small print displayed better. Inverted White/ Black option is nice change that displays less light...good for some that read in bed with partners. The Kindle team set the reading plane lower in the device(the glass is thicker) the eliminate light cones. The addition of 2 more LED units makes for the most even lighting possible. A one inch screen size really makes a difference in the reading experience-I stopped reading on my Old Oasis and Voyage after getting this unit...ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS! While the other Kindles are fine, when you put them side by side with the Oasis...NO COMPARISON...OASIS WINS! Font boldness control, size options and Black /White color conversion Kindle added more font sizes and boldness control-great for all readers-available on software update on other readers. Black /White inversion is a neat new reading option-exclusive on the Oasis. For the visually challenged: THIS IS THE DEVICE FOR YOU. Large fonts look more normal on this larger screen. Less page flips-really noticeable on larger fonts. Bold font options….about time! White /Black color inversion option. Great for nighttime readers with a partner. Magazines: This is an area that many will overlook...Magazines look better on a 7” screen than 6” Weight At 194 grams it is slightly lighter than the Paperwhite at 205grams and slightly heavier than the Voyage...In reality you can hardly feel the difference. It is however, significantly heavier than the prior Oasis model without the cove that only weighed 131 grams. Page turn buttons: Similar to last year’s model Much better than the Voyage- you can easily feel these, even in the dark. A slight click when the buttons are pushed leaves no doubt that the page will turn. These buttons really make it easy to stay focused on reading-no need to swipe the page, just klick the button. Once you get used to the buttons it is hard to go back to a Paperwhite. Asymmetrical Design: Very similar to last year’s model; they expanded the gripping area on the bezel to allow for wider thumbs that don’t overlap the screen while in use. One the Voyage, my thumb is half on, half off the device when in use. The screen and button function auto flip when you change hands. Well balanced and secure in the hand while holding. Storage: 8 gigs is plenty for most ebook readers, however if you plan to use Audible or have a large library consider paying $30 more for the 32gig model(about 27 gigs in actual use) Graphic and image heavy books can exceed 200 mg in size Examples are Manga, Comics, Cookbooks, Magazines and How to books. My library has a little over 2000 items and does not totally fit on any other Kindle device-no problem on a 32 gig Oasis! Audible: Seamless switching from reading to Audible if you own the e-book and the Audible version. They offer a 32 gig option for 30 dollars more if you plan on storing a lot of Audible books. This device does not have speakers. You need to pair it with blue tooth speakers or headphones. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO TEXT TO SPEECH...No e-reader on the market has this. Amazon E-book/Audible ecosystem: Simply the most extensive e-book store on the planet. Almost always the lowest price. Audible offers membership specials that can save you money. Kindle Unlimited -a exclusive option that seems to be best for inexpensive fiction books. Waterproofing: I tried this just to make sure it works – good addition. Battery: Seems to last about the same as the Voyage and charges in under 2 hours. Optional cover: Solid protection for the device. The Origami style stand is OK-not great. Consider getting a small tablet stand(Amazon carries a multitude of these). Portability: Definitely not a pocket device. Quality: 10 out of 10! SIMPLY THE BEST Cost: Amazon does not need to apologize for cost on this one-Sure it is twice the price of the Paperwhite (and that is a fine choice in it’s price range) but simply put THIS IS THE BEST KINDLE UNIT AMAZON HAS MADE TO DATE. For $50 dollars more than the Voyage you get a bigger screen, more storage, Audible, page turn buttons, brighter screen and better display of graphics and magazines. $40 less than 2016’s unit. Upgrade options: $20 to remove adds...I did to stop seeing adds and having to swipe the device to unlock it. I read a lot and would rather see the regular screen savers. I included a photo. $30 for 32 gig storage – I opted for this because I have a huge e-book and Audible library. 44.99 or 59.99 -Honestly I can’t recommend this-the magnets are not super secure-they hold ok...6/10 from me. 4G- In this day and age many of us have wi-fi available-just store all of your books on the device. I passed on this expense. Pros: Best display Great for large font users No compromises-high quality Vast storage options Audible Page turn buttons White /Black inversion option Like all Kindles you get Amazon’s vast ebook ecosystem-titles you will not find elsewhere Cons: Portability-This device does not fit most shirt or pants pockets Cost-still $40 less than last year’s Oasis In short – The OASIS IS BETTER-NOT JUST BIGGER Update: After spending more time with the unit, I would give this device 10 out of 10 for the right user. I have owned every unit since the Kindle Keyboard and the Oasis 2 is by far the best. I stopped using my other devices after getting the Oasis-It is that much more enjoyable to read on. Let’s take a look at who this device is for: Don’t buy if: You want an e-reader that easily fits in your pocket-get the Paperwhite or Voyage. You are looking for text to speech. None of the current e-readers offer this. I see poor reviews for the device because it does not have this...no current e-reader does. Budget is a priority. The Paperwhite is a fine budget friendly option. Do buy if: You want the finest e-reader available. This Kindle has the reading plane set below thicker glass to eliminate most of the light cones previous models occasionally had. The lighting is phenomenal. Page turn buttons make a difference. You want a larger reading screen that feels more like a book. E-reading immersion at it’s best. A visually challenged reader that uses larger fonts. You need more storage. If you can swing it -BUY IT-IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2018
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