If you think back to May of this year, there was news that the older Amazon Kindle e-readers will lose key functionality in the future; sadly, the days of this “future” are finally here. This key feature is the ability to buy books on the device – yes, this is a very important feature – although you can still send files to the e-reader , so it doesn’t make your Kindle completely redundant.

The affected Kindles are fourth and fifth generation models, launched in 2011 and 2012, and keyboards and international models. You can check your Kindle model under Device Information in your device’s Settings menu, but it’s easier to check if you can still buy eBooks. But you don’t need to throw your Kindle in the trash right now – like we said, there are still ways to put digital files in your Kindle and keep reading them. In fact, we can imagine some people not even using the on-device Kindle Store because it’s slower and clunkier to use than websites and apps. If you buy books from the Kindle store on your computer browser, you can send them to your Kindle immediately so that when you next e-read The book can be accessed when the computer is connected to the network. Alternatively, you can send PDFs and other files to your Kindle and it will still work. However, it is worth pointing out that If you have an Android phone, then send the book to your Kindle

.
Analysis: But do you need a new Kindle? Kindle Store workaround means your e-reader is still suitable for reading books on the go. However, if you do have an old Kindle, there may be other reasons to upgrade.
Over time, devices can lose battery life, which means you won’t get the weeks of reading time you’re used to. Your device can be bumped or damaged from normal wear and tear, especially in the port department, where random insertion of cables can cause damage – keep in mind that a lost device on the Kindle Store is at least 10 years old. So, if your e-reader is affected, you might be thinking about buying a new one, and upgrading to a newer model to get them to bring latest features. If it’s you, we should probably highlight Amazon’s Trade-In Program

(opens in new tab)
For old equipment, allows you to trade in old equipment to profit from new equipment. Of course, if you don’t want to pass on your Kindle to a friend who can use it. Whether or not you opt for a trade-in, there are usually some great deals on e-readers, and we’ll share the best deals in your area below:
Tom is in The role on the TechRadar team is focused on phones and tablets, but he is also responsible for other technologies such as electric scooters, smart watches, fitness, mobile gaming, and more. He is based in London, UK.
He is a graduate of the University of East Anglia with a degree in American Literature and Creative Writing. Before working at TechRadar, he freelanced in tech, gaming, and entertainment, and worked as a bartender for many years. Outside of TechRadar, he works in the film industry as a writer, director and producer.