Amazon Kindle price list update (Australia)

Price updated May 17, 2012

* Price from Amazon.com already includes shipping cost
** Some retailers sell ads-included version (kindle with special offers)

Which kindle should I buy in Australia?

Kindle fire VS e-ink kindle

If you want an e-book reader in Australia I recommend the new e-ink kindle. Kindle Fire is an Android tablet which is primary functions are for musics, videos, internet and games. It is currently available to US only due to digital contents restriction. Some features of kindle fire will not work outside U.S. including streaming videos and the App store!

The e-ink kindle

New kindle is the light version for starter. It has same e-ink display as kindle touch. There’s no physical keyboard. Navigation and typing have to be done using 5-way controller. Battery life lasts for 1 month and no support for audio files and text-to-speech. This kindle is perfect for pure readers who only use kindle to read.
See: Kindle 4 for international shipping

Kindle touch is top-of-the-line kindle available right now. It has full options including touch screen, text-to-speech and longer battery life (2 months). Also featured on kindle touch is “X-ray” which allows you to scan a character, historical figures, and interesting phrase. With touch screen, you can easily surf the web, take notes, or look up words on your kindle.

See: Kindle Touch WiFi for international shipping

Kindle Touch 3g has free 3g connection. You can buy and download e-books without WiFi connection. It’s more convenient and perfect for travelers because Amazon offers free 3g service in more than 100 countries.

See: Kindle Touch 3g for international shipping

Where should I buy a new kindle 4 in Australia?

I recommend buying a kindle at Amazon US store. Price is always cheaper than Australian retailers. You kindle will be automatically associated with your amazon account so buying e-books is just one step ahead. Amazon sometime offers special price on kindle accessories such as cover and charger when you buy a new kindle.

Step by step guide to buy a kindle/kindle touch in Australia

1. To buy a kindle from amazon, make sure you go to Kindle sale page for Australia.

• Kindle 4 for shipping to Australia – click here
• Kindle Touch for shipping to Australia – click here
• Kindle Touch 3g for shipping to Australia- click here (new)

If you accidentally land on a wrong page, you may find a blue bar like this one.

2. Choose Australia and add kindle/kindle touch to your shopping cart. Explore kindle accessories store and add cover/adapter as you need.

Don’t forget to check for special discount on kindle accessories when purchase with a new kindle.

3. Proceed to check out. If you don’t have an Amazon account, you have to create one at this step. During check out, you have to provide shipping address and payment method. There are two shipping options you can choose :

• Expedited International Shipping costs $11.98 (approx. within 1 week)
• Priority International Courier costs $20.98 (approx. 2-5 days)

During check out, guaranteed arrival date and total costs will be displayed before your order is final. No extra tax will be collected when your kindle arrives in Australia.

Warranty

Kindle purchased from Amazon also includes 1 year warranty. You can talk to Amazon’s online support to ask for change if your kindle broke. UPS service will pick it up at your office in Australia and a new one will be sent to you (usually arrives within 1 week).

Don’t be tricked : Kindle with special offers

You may notice that there are kindles with special offer which have lower price on Amazon.com. “Special offers” means they come with sponsored ads and cheaper price. The ads target customers in the U.S. So they’re currently not available for international shipping.

If you’re going to buy a kindle from local store, don’t forget to check if it is a kindle with special offers. Some retailers in Australia imported this ads-included kindle and sell it at unreasonably high price.

We have to thanks Tayla who mentioned this in her comment.

Updated 31 March, 2012: Kindle touch 3g for international shipping is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com and will be shipped to Australia on April, 27. Price will be $189 plus 11.98 for shipping. Go to kindle touch 3g for international shipping and pre-order now get into the queue.

Note: You will have to enter credit card information to pre-order kindle touch but Amazon won’t actually charge your card. They will charge your card when the kindle is dispatched.

Updated 4 Feb, 2012: Kindle touch (WiFi only) is now available for international shipment and you can order it directly from Amazon.com for only $139.

Kindle touch 3g is still available to order in the U.S. only.  However, buying kindle touch 3g in Australia is possible. In the following section, you’ll find out-

• A guide on where and how to buy a kindle touch 3g in Australia.
• Kindle touch price in Australia (comparison table)

How to buy a kindle touch 3g in Australia

This is the best and cheapest way to get a kindle touch 3g in Australia as far as I’ve researched.

To buy a kindle touch from Australia, you need to order it from amazon.com and have it delivered to an U.S. address first. Then we will use an international mail service to ship it to Australia. Such service is available at Borderlinx.com.

Here’s a step by step guide to help you buy a kindle touch in Australia

1. First, go to Borderlinx.com and create an account. You’ll get a virtual U.S. address once you have registered.

Example of a virtual U.S. Address (Do not enter address above, register to get your own)

2. Go to kindle for U.S. shipping page

• kindle touch 3g (for order from Australia) – click here

3. Add your kindle touch to shopping cart. I also recommend buying kindle touch accessories from amazon.com because they are not easy to find in Australia. So browse the kindle accessories store first.

4. Proceed to check out. At this step you have to enter a Borderlinx address as a shipping address. Billing address can be your real address in Australia. And you can make a payment your Australian credit card.

Kindle will be delivered to Borderlinx shortly, depending on shipping speed you prefer. There are four shipping options available

• Amazon Next Day Shipping is $18.98
• Amazon Two Day Shipping is $11.98
• Amazon Standard Shipping is $6.98
• Amazon Super Saver is Free

5. When your kindle arrive at Borderlinx, the company will send you a confirmation email. Confirm your items, and wait for your kindle touch to arrive in Australia!

Notice: Do not add a power adapter available under “Add to cart button”. If you do so, you will get a U.S. charger. A power adapter for Australia is available here.

How much does it cost?

Approximately, buying kindle touch using Borderlinx shipping service will cost extra $30 on top of the kindle price. (I think this price is acceptable because kindle shipped directly from Amazon.com also costs extra $20 for shipping) You can use a total cost calculator at Borderlinx to estimate the price. For kindle touch, enter the values displayed below.

If you have any questions about Borderlinx, a live support is here to help.

Kindle touch price comparison in Australia

*Price from Amazon + Borderlinx may vary depending on added kindle accessories.

I hope this article helpful. If you have any questions or suggestion, please leave me a comment.

See also: Kindle buyer’s guide 2012 for Australia

Lighter and thinner

My first impression on kindle 4 is it’s very light and thin. Height dimension decreases because there’s no physical keyboard while screen dimension remains unchanged. It feels more comfortable to hold in one hand than my old kindle 3. Kindle 4 body is made from high quality plastic with metal frame on top and bottom.

Screen quality

Kindle 4 e-ink screen is same as kindle 3. Text is crisp and easy to read. Unlike iPad, kindle screen does not produce glare when reading under any light source.

Controller and on-screen keyboard

Control are easy to use. Navigation experience is almost same as kindle 3. Kindle 4 has no phisical keyboard (which I rarely use on my kindle 3). On-screen keyboard, which will popup when you press keyboard button, allows you to type by selecting each letter with 5-way controller. Typing with virtual keyboard is not as sluggish as I thought, when holding down the controller, the selector will move faster.

Page turning speed in kindle 4 is noticeably faster. But I think the power-on button is too small and somewhat hard to push.

WiFi only, No 3G

Kindle 4 has only WiFi connection which means that you have to download book via WiFi or USB cable. However, this is not a problem for me.

Marware Eco-Vue cover

I also purchase a Marware Eco-Vue cover from Amazon.com. It looks great with my kindle. High quality material and neatly made. There’s elastic strap to hold the lid close. Kindle are hold firmly in place with 4 corner strap. Worth it price.

Summary

In conclusion, I give new kindle 4.5 out of 5 stars. Slimmer, lighter, faster. All essential functions at more affordable price.

See also: Kindle 4 Buyer Guide Australia

Kindle 3 is the world’s favorite ebook reader since 2010. It has advance e-ink display, easy-to-use interface and modern design. In the following section, You’ll find out -

• How and where to buy kindle 3 in Australia
• Kindle keyboard price when order from Australia
• Shipping and tracking your kindle
• How to charge kindle in Australia
• My mini-review on Amazon kindle keyboard

Where can I buy kindle 3 in Australia?

I recommend buying kindle at amazon.com (USA) rather than buying it form Australian reseller. Your kindle from amazon will be automatically connected to your amazon account and you can buy and download kindle books easily. Amazon also offers special discount on kindle accessories such as power adapter and the kindle cover. Your kindle will be shipped to Australia shortly.

This is an easy instruction to buy kindle at amazon.com

1. Follow the link below to go to Kindle for Australia selling page.

• Kindle wi-fi ($139) for international shipment
• Kindle 3G ($189) for international shipment

2. Select Australian and see in.

4. Click add to cart. Follow instruction, enter your payment method and shipping information. Amazon kindle 3 is ready to shipped to you.

Don’t forget to check for special discount on kindle 3 accessories before checkout. Kindle charger for Australia and kindle lighted cover are sometimes on sale when buy together with kindle 3. These accessories are not easy to find in Australia, if you like them, you should order them from amazon too.

You don’t need to worry about the payment. Amazon’s online shopping system is the world’s best. Total price will be displayed before your order is final. And you’ll not be charged until the kindle has been shipped to you.

Kindle keyboard price in Australia

Buying kindle from amazon.com is cheaper than buying from local reseller!

Below is the price for kindle wi-fi and kindle 3g for Australia, tax and shipping fee included. You’ll see the price before you confirm your order.

Kindle keyboard wi-fi price from amazon is 159.98 USD/157.8 AUD

Local reseller price is about 239 $

Kindle keyboard 3G price from amazon.com is 209.98 USD/207 AUD

Local reseller price is about 314 $

I recommend kindle 3g rather than kindle wi-fi only because Amazon provide 3g service around the world including Australia. You can buy and download book everywhere even there’s no wi-fi connection.

Here is the 3g coverage map for australia. Dark purple denotes 3g (high speed connection). Light purple indicate slower connection such as EDGE or GPRS

Global 3g coverage map is available here.

How long does it take to ship kindle to Australia?

It takes about only 3-5 days to ship kindle to Australia. You can track shipment by logging into your amazon account.

How to charge a kindle 3 in Australia?

Amazon kindle 3 comes with USB power cord. You can connect it to your pc or laptop to charge the kindle. However you can buy amazon kindle adaptor to charge your kindle.

Amazon kindle power adapter for Australia is available here.

My kindle 3 in Australia – A mini review

I have just received my kindle 3 last week. It’s very fantastic. The text on the screen is very sharp and clear. Weight and size fit pretty well in my hand. Lack of backlight makes reading comfortable. I also own an iPad which gives a very different reading experience. I can’t read for a long time on iPad. It precipitates eye strain and my migraine (really bad).

When your kindle is shipped, amazon automatically attached your information with the kindle. You’ll also receive a welcome email from amazon. First plug your kindle for charging. You can use it while it is charging. Kindle has a battery life for about 3 weeks with wireless 3G turned on and about 1 month when 3G is turned off. (I really love this feature) Buying kindle ebooks is very simple, you should have it done within 3 minutes with your existing amazon account.  As of June 2011, there are more than 730,000 books available for Australia.

Kindle doesn’t have a touch screen which make navigation a bit difficult at first. However, you’ll get used to it quickly and reading will be more fun.

Overall, I give kindle 4.5 out of 5 and believe it’s the best e-reader of the moment.

Here is the  most popular kindle cover sold at amazon.com – Lighted leather cover ASIN B002LVUWL8 (available in 7 colors)

Amazon kindle don’t illuminate in the dark. It’s like real paper. You need a light to read in your dark bedroom. So I strongly recommend this leather cover with built-in light. Here’s my recommended review on lighted leather cover.