On May 12, 2026, Amazon announced a refreshed Kindle Scribe lineup for Japan, launching three new models in the Kindle Scribe series[1]. The lineup adds the "Kindle Scribe Colorsoft," the first Kindle Scribe with a color display, alongside a thinner, lighter chassis and a new quad-core chip that speeds up the entire experience[1]. Pre-orders open on May 12 at Amazon.co.jp, with shipments scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 10[1].
Three new models, with the top Colorsoft starting at 106,980 yen for 32GB
The new lineup is made up of three devices: "Kindle Scribe Colorsoft," "Kindle Scribe," and "Kindle Scribe Front Light-less Model"[1]. Tax-included pricing puts the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft at 106,980 yen for 32GB and 115,980 yen for 64GB, the Kindle Scribe at 89,980 yen for 32GB and 98,980 yen for 64GB, and the Front Light-less Model at 72,980 yen for 16GB[1]. The Colorsoft comes in Graphite and Fig, while the other two models are Graphite only[1].
All three devices share an 11-inch anti-glare display, a chassis measuring 189 x 245 x 5.4 mm, and a weight of 400g[1]. Amazon says the new quad-core chip, expanded memory, and the latest Oxide display technology, combined with the slimmer and lighter body, lift writing and page-turn speed by roughly 40% compared with the 2024 Kindle Scribe[1].
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft already launched in the United States in October 2025, where Amazon.com lists the 32GB model at 629 dollars and the 64GB model at 679 dollars[2][3]. At the current exchange rate of 157 yen per dollar[4], Japan's 32GB price of 106,980 yen works out to about 680 dollars, only a modest premium over the U.S. tag.
Amazon.co.jp でチェック
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft (32GB) - Kindle Scribe初のカラーディスプレイ搭載、11インチ反射防止ディスプレイ、プレミアムペン付属、グラファイト
Colorsoft aims for "soft, eye-friendly color" with a custom display stack
The "Kindle Scribe Colorsoft" is the first Kindle Scribe with a color display, supporting both color rendering and color handwriting[1]. Amazon describes a custom Colorsoft display, using a color filter combined with a light guide that draws on nitride LEDs, to keep detail intact while delivering softer, easier-on-the-eyes hues[1]. For writing, a newly developed rendering engine is meant to pair color expression with fast, smooth strokes[1].
The device offers 10 pen colors and 5 highlighter colors, which can be used for writing, drawing, and annotation depending on the task[1]. Artists and creators also get a new "shader tool" for smooth gradients and subtle tones[1].
On the hardware side that shapes feel, a new textured-molded glass is tuned to add just enough resistance under the pen, mimicking the friction of paper[1]. The display stack has also been redesigned to further reduce parallax between the pen tip and what appears on screen[1]. Reviews of the U.S. version that shipped first praised the practical value of color notes and highlights but were split on whether the premium pricing was justified, positioning the device squarely at Kindle users who prioritize note-taking[5].
Refreshed home screen, Google Drive and OneDrive support, shipping June 10
On the software side, the home screen has been redesigned with a new "Quick Note" entry point and faster access to recently opened books, documents, and notebooks[1]. Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive are now supported for importing documents and annotating them on the device, and notes can also be exported to Microsoft OneNote[1]. A new "Workspace" feature lets users organize notes, books, and documents into folders[1].
The official accessory lineup has also been refreshed. A plant-based leather cover sells for 13,480 yen (tax included) in two colors, a premium leather cover for 17,980 yen (tax included) in two colors, and a newly added premium leather folio cover for 20,980 yen (tax included) in three colors[1].
Pre-orders open on May 12 on the product pages at Amazon.co.jp, with shipments scheduled to start on Wednesday, June 10[1]. The Kindle Scribe Front Light-less Model omits front-light features (auto brightness and warm light), pulling its 16GB price down to 72,980 yen[1].
Amazon.co.jp でチェック
Kindle Scribe (32GB、2026年発売) - 11インチ反射防止ディスプレイ、プレミアムペン付属、グラファイト
Summary
On May 12, 2026, Amazon expanded the Kindle Scribe series into a three-model lineup in Japan and introduced "Kindle Scribe Colorsoft," its first color-display model[1]. Tax-included prices range from 72,980 yen to 115,980 yen, giving buyers a clearer way to match a device to their use case and budget[1]. A new quad-core chip, textured-molded glass, and stronger cloud integrations land at the same time, and from June 10 Japanese readers will be able to test in person the reading and writing polish that U.S. reviewers focused on[1][5].
Source:[1] https://www.aboutamazon.jp/news/devices/new-kindle-scribe-series
Source:[2] https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Kindle-Scribe-Colorsoft/dp/B0DWRBVDN6
Source:[3] https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/amazon-kindle-scribe-2025-kindle-scribe-colorsoft
Source:[4] https://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/market/forex/fxdaily/fxlist/index.htm
Source:[5] https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/e-readers/kindle-scribe-colorsoft-2025-review
