Kindle 3G Vs. Wi-Fi

Amazon launched Kindle 3 on July 28, 2010. The Kindle 3 was available in two versions, Kindle 3G and Wi-Fi. Within days of the launch, Kindle 3 became a bestseller in its own right, virtually diminishing the competition, and on August 25, 2010, Amazon announced that Kindle 3 was the fastest selling Kindle ever. Kindle Wi-Fi trades at $139, whereas if you want to lay your hands on the Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi, you will have to shell around $50 extra. Although, both these devices have been well-received, Kindle 3G Vs. Wi-Fi is a hot topic for discussion. Going by the reviews, Kindle 3G seems to have the upper hand in this battle as it gives users access to internet everywhere, unlike the Wi-Fi version which connects to the internet only in a hotspot zone. We will know more about the features of these two variants, but before that let us know how different is Kindle 3 from its predecessor.

Kindle 3 - What's New ?

The first thing that draws your attention is the revamped design of Kindle 3. The five-way controller that was seen in Kindle 2 has given way to a nice design which has four buttons which can help you navigate in four different directions and the enter key is placed in between the four buttons. The rubber back of the new Kindle is also a good improvement over the Kindle 2. Kindle 3 is much snappier than Kindle 2, and takes lesser time for loading. The browsing experience has been enhanced and the visuals are much more detailed. All in all, Kindle 3 has got all it takes to crown it as one of the best looking e-book readers. Now that we know some of the features Kindle 3 has to offer, let us take a look at both versions of Kindle to see which one is better value for money.

The differences between Kindle 3G and Wi-Fi are not too many, still let us take a look at some of the notable ones.

• Connectivity : Kindle 3G offers you both 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can browse through the online store at fast 3G speed. The speed is somewhat similar to what you will get on a 3G enabled mobile. The Wi-Fi ensures that if you are in a hotspot zone, you can browse the internet without using your data allowances. Wi-Fi on the other hand allows you to access the web or Kindle store only when you are in a hotspot zones. This is one limitation of the Wi-Fi, but if you live in an area where there are good number of Wi-Fi zones, then this might not be a concern for you.
• Price : This is one of the most important factors, as many people ask themselves whether they are better off with Kindle Wi-Fi as it has almost all the features as the 3G version, minus the 3G connectivity. The Kindle 3G is priced at $189, whereas Kindle Wi-Fi trades around $139.
• Colors : Kindle 3G comes in two colors graphite and white. Kindle Wi-Fi is available in graphite only.
• Battery : When the Wi-Fi is turned on, Kindle Wi-Fi lasts for three weeks whereas the 3G version drains out in ten days. Without any internet connectivity, the battery on both the devices lasts for 30 days.

These were some differences between these devices. There are some reviews that suggest that Wi-Fi is lighter than 3G. I did a little research, but the results were not so heartening! Kindle Wi-Fi is lighter than 3G by a whole 0.2 ounces! So, basically if you hold both the e-book readers in your hands, you will hardly find any difference in their weight.

Should I choose Kindle 3G or Wi-Fi, the answer to this is subjective as different people have different needs. If your job demands a lot of traveling, then 3G can be a great option for you. Also, if you live in a place where there is a dearth of hotspot zones, then 3G can be a safe bet for you. It gives you the freedom of downloading your favorite book from the Kindle Store, while you are on the move. On the other hand, if you live in a place where there is comprehensive Wi-Fi connectivity, then you might very well be better off with the Wi-Fi edition. This was our take on this battle, hope this article helps if you are planning to buy one.