this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2026
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Ebook Readers and Book Machines

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One of the cool things about the new Kindles for 2026 is they were designed to have removable back panels so you can easily replace the internal battery when it wears out.

It’s weird because Amazon seems to be going out of their way to avoid advertising the fact that the new Kindles have user-replaceable batteries—you’d think that would be a positive marketing point to exploit—but so far they’re being coy about it.

There is this new Amazon Kindle Battery Guide page that was recently added to the help section of Amazon’s website. It lists all the new Kindles for 2026, and talks about the new Battery Status section that appears in the settings menu on the new Kindles.

To find the battery status entry on your 2026 Kindle, go to Settings > Device options > Battery > Battery information.

From there, it shows your Kindle’s battery status. There are three possible indicators: normal, battery capacity limited, and incompatible battery.

Amazon doesn’t specifically state the new Kindles have user-replaceable batteries on that page, but that’s the gist of it. And they do specifically state that on the Identify Your Kindle page, where it says “User-replaceable battery (EBR-compliant)” under the description for the new Kindles.

I was able to remove the back panel on the Kindle Ube with surprising ease. At first I was afraid I was going to break something, but then I committed to prying down on the corner with a fingernail and the back popped right off. I recorded the process to show how easy it is (video below).

The aluminum Kindles have two hex screws that have to be removed before you can take the back off of them. I’m not sure what size they are, but they’re tiny. The plastic Kindles (the purple and black colors) don’t have any screws holding the back on, but there are four Phillips head screws holding the battery in place.

I assume it’s the same story with the new Paperwhite and Colorsoft, but we’ll have to wait until they get released to know for sure.

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[–] lIlIlIlIlIlIl@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Anyone who buys a device from Amazon is only renting it - and is a twice tricked fool to boot

[–] Railcar8095@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Bought one second hand and never logged in or even connected to the internet.

Good luck Bezos.

Sadly can't do the same with the fire TV stick

[–] quantumlover@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Nah, they have good solid e-readers, and you can absolutely side-load a Kindle so you never have to give Bezos another dollar.

But let's be real. Most readers just want to buy a quick fun book in two taps, read it, and delete it. They're not consulting a federated instance before they download the next trashy pioneer romance where the rugged frontiersman has sexy abs.

That’s why Amazon still sells the most e-readers and ebooks. It's Grandma Westing totally digging reading about a plucky widow and a brooding badboy rancher before bed. She doesn't care that Lemmy's mad at Amazon, because she doesn't know what Lemmy is. She's focused on deciding when the cowboys gonna pin the schoolteacher against the barn door.

I have no problems with Amazon, and I don't read DRM stuff. It's personal choice. I have it. You have it. And all the Amazon readers have it. :)

[–] knitwitt@lemmy.world -2 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] quantumlover@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Amazon is really really hurt by your lack of support. Think of the dollars lost by your laughing! You're doing a great job! Keep it up! It's for sure making a dent!

[–] kaosterra@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Could this be because of the new EU Battery Directive? \(゚∀゚)/

[–] quantumlover@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

That was what I was wondering, and hoping! I personally want that directive here, and maybe Amazon is trying to jump the gun a bit.

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 1 points 1 week ago

Yeah I'm suddenly seeing it more and more. Although ive replaced the battery in my old kindle before. Its the screen I wish I could replace...

[–] quantumlover@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

It's about damn time the newer ones did this. The first edition Kindle, which I still have, made it easy to unscrew the back and replace the battery. But ever since then, it's been a pain.

[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Wow if only the company making it wasn't absolute shit I might consider it.

[–] quantumlover@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I don't mind Amazon. They have great readers and if it wasn't for them, I don't think ebooks/ereaders would have taken off as well as they have. They pushed a lot of innovation.

But we do have more non-amazon options now, which is a good thing!

[–] Sina@beehaw.org 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Did Amazon even make kindles that were glued? My own kindle history has only devices that were fairly easy to replace the battery in.

[–] quantumlover@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Some were sealed pretty tight and very difficult to get the back off of. From this vid, looks likes is really easy to just pop it off now. For some of my kindles, it was pretty sketchy getting the back off, and I felt I was gonna break the screen every single time.