[Sami_Lehtinen]

It's called Front Light. In Finland light is essential, because half of the year you're going to be in dark, when ever you aren't at work. I guess same rules apply to northern parts of Canada and US (Alaska) due to similar latitude.

[mapleoin]

You're saying that as if there were no bedside lamps in Finland.

[nolok]

The Kindle without Front Light are also non paperwhite, the screen is much darker overall and it's not that easy to find a "perfect position" in terms of light. Or at least, a lot harder than with Front Light.

[dombili]

Thanks for the clarification.

Apparently they still sell the Paperwhite 2 (same price), so people in those countries would probably buy that. I think making Paperwhite 2 100 bucks without changing its specifications would have been a better choice than to create a new Kindle version all together. Light is, as you said, essential and not only in Finland. Most people read books in bed, and light is essential there too. I can't imagine using Kindle without the front light.

[blaabjerg]

I'm the opposite, I can't really imagine needing the light very often. A Kindle without a light should be about as readable as a book without a built-in light, and I rarely find myself in a situation where I can't read a book for lack of light.

It might be useful if I'm out camping or if I share a hotel room with someone who wants to sleep while I read, but most of the time I have a light source available.

[ode]

You don't need the light but it makes it a more pleasant experience to read.

Even when it's a sunny day the Paperwhite stays at full brightness because it makes it more natural to look at.