Kindle 32GB OK? (Versus 8GB, Storage Options)


The Kindle is a favorite ereader for novels, comics, and audiobook lovers. The content you download and save goes to the memory, and you may be torn between the standard 8GB and enhanced 32GB storage.

So, do I need a 32GB Kindle? The 32GB Kindle is the ideal version for frequent ebook readers and users who want access to more audiobooks, comics, and PDFs. The massive storage can accommodate more content if you spend hours a day on the device. It can hold more than 10,000 books and over a hundred audiobooks, making it suitable for Amazon plans like Unlimited and Audible. Therefore, it should be your go-to if you don’t want restrictions on how many books to store and don’t want to keep erasing content to free more space.

The Kindle ensures you can access thousands of books simultaneously, explaining the design’s massive storage space. The only challenge is not knowing whether to buy the 8GB or the 32GB option to avoid running low on space, especially as an ardent reader.

You may need caution when picking your device’s storage to ensure you get the most out of it. If you have discovered that the Kindle version you want also comes in 32GB options, you may be conflicted about whether you need that much space.

You will need a 32GB Kindle if you are an enthusiastic reader needing large audiobooks and heavy files like comics. Otherwise, a smaller 8GB storage would suffice if you only want to access regular textbooks. In contrast, a 32GB device will serve you better if you are an audiobooks fan.

It can hold up to 13500 ebooks and over 100 audiobooks. All the content is available on the remaining 27GB of storage since 5GB goes to system files storage. Ultimately, your preference will come to play when deciding which storage to pick.

A 32GB size is massive, but an 8GB Kindle would still work fine for most occasional ereaders. Of the 8GB, 2GB will go to the system storage, and the remaining 6GB can accommodate up to 3000 books.

It will also depend on the content of your ebooks; heavier books with numerous images would eat more space, leaving you with less room for other titles. If you don’t want to hold many books, you can delete some to create more space for new ones.

The 32GB Kindle works perfectly for serious ereaders, but you will have to stretch your budget slightly before you get one. It usually costs tens of dollars more than the 8GB Kindle and may not be ideal if you are looking for an affordable option. You can always go for the cheaper 8GB Kindle that you can afford, and the best part is that it still serves the purpose.

8GB Kindle suitability

Before you get a 32GB Kindle, you should first consider if you spend a lot of time reading, the type of books you prefer, and how many titles you need to store. On the contrary, if you love reading plain ebooks without images and rarely listen to audiobooks, you will be okay with buying the 8GB Kindle that will still offer access to over 2,000 titles. Similarly, it will suffice for users who don’t spend a lot of time reading and go through a book or two in a month.

However, note that every ebook you buy from Amazon stays in your account even after you delete it, thanks to the iCloud technology in the system. You can access any title you want anytime from your library through either of your registered devices. If you are a prospective Kindle owner but don’t know which way to go, you should consider what you need the device for, besides its price.

The 8GB device is practical for newbies or on-the-go readers who are not keen on storing many books at once. However, bookworms passionate about massive ebook libraries on their Kindles can consider a larger storage space that the 32GB option offers. Similarly, readers who are huge fans of comics and use their Kindles for PDF will find it more suitable than the 8GB device.

Moving to a 32GB Kindle

You can access the books you deleted from your device through the Amazon account and re-download them. You will need an internet connection to reinstall the previous titles, which helps you recover everything you deleted when trying to free up more space. The only challenge is that it will be impossible if you don’t have internet access or have gone to a remote location. In such cases, you will want to have the 32GB Kindles.

It will hold all your favorite titles in one collection, and you won’t have to erase older ebooks and audiobooks. Generally, there is a lot to consider before you settle on whether you need a 32GB Kindle or the standard 8GB alternative. If you can afford either, are an ardent reader, and want to store more audiobooks, comics, and heavy titles, the 32GB Amazon Kindle would be the ideal gadget.

What GB Kindle Should I Get?

The Kindle Oasis and Paperwhite are in two versions, the 8GB and the 32GB, with the latter being more expensive, given the extra space. If you consider buying one, you may be conflicted about whether the extra space is worth the additional cost and which option will be better.

You can get the 8GB or 32GB Kindle depending on your needs and budget. The 8GB is the standard version for most ereaders and can comfortably hold 2,000-3,000 titles, which is decent for most readers. It is also cheaper if you are on a tight budget, but it may not serve you well if you want to store heavy content like audiobooks.

On the other hand, the 32GB alternative is suitable for consummate readers who want to be free to download 9,000-13,000 titles and over a hundred audiobooks. The only downside is that it is the pricier version; therefore, it is a personal decision after outweighing the ups and downsides.

There are several benefits of owning a Kindle, and faithful readers attest to carrying their devices everywhere since it is convenient, lightweight, and easy to read. If you are in the market for a Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis, you will notice that they are in two options, the standard 8GB and the improved 32GB, which can be confusing for a first-time buyer. You would expect that the higher storage space means the device can hold more books simultaneously.

However, the catch is that the 32GB is pricier, and you should decide whether it is worth the extra cost. You should know how many books the two Kindles can accommodate and the type of content you primarily store.

Starting with the 8 GB Kindle, it is Amazon’s standard design, for which 2GB goes to system files while the leftover 6GB is what you use for content storage. Since each book takes 2-4.5 MB, depending on the number of pages and other factors, the 8GB can still hold a decent library.

On average, it can house 2,000-3,000 books based on the file type, size, and content you have saved. It can also hold approximately 35 audiobooks, depending on their length and other factors.

Many users are comfortable with the 8GB space and state that it serves their needs perfectly because there is access to thousands of titles which is more than enough. You will not need the 32 GB version if you can manage the space well.

On the other hand, the 32GB storage space is a relatively new concept from Amazon, targeting more ardent readers. Users who buy this want to freely download many books without the fear of lack of space.

About 5GB goes to system files, leaving around 27GB for your content storage. This massive size has the advantage of holding more books simultaneously, estimated at 9,000-13,000 titles which is quite impressive if you are a bookworm.

It implies that the 32GB can carry at least four times the capacity of the 8GB Kindle, and it may be the better choice if you are an avid reader who wants more ebooks at your disposal and never run out of space.

Compared to the 35 audiobooks the 8GB can accommodate, 32GB can save 150 of them. Therefore, you can take advantage of Amazon’s services like the unlimited option or Audible because space is the least of your worries.

Whichever version you go for, it is essential to know how much space various content needs to manage the device better. For instance, comics and graphic novels are usually heavier than text novels, with a single one taking up 650-1.5GB of space.

Similarly, a PDF is usually heavier than a standard book. However, the largest of the three is audiobooks, occupying a whooping 280-350MBs for each title, meaning that you need about 28 MBs for each version, and the longer the book, the more space it will take.

Amazon Kindle storage space

If you have your eye on an Amazon Kindle, you will have two options unless you are sure you want the 8GB standard model. If you want the Paperwhite or Oasis, you must also decide whether to go for 8GB or 32GB, and this last segment explains the specifics to understand how much storage is enough for you.

The storage you need depends on your preferred content and reading habits. If you only use your Kindle to access textbooks and only read occasionally, the 8GB version will suffice. However, the 32GB model is for bookworms who spend most of their day reading and usually download rich content like audiobooks and graphic novels. You will need more space if you want to store more books without the hassle of freeing up space, but still, the 8GB option is effective, and it helps that it is the cheaper version.

To determine how much space is enough for your needs, it is essential to understand how much storage a book requires. Titles usually come in various formats and pages, making each a different size from the other.

A book can take up 1MB-2.6MB, with others being heavier than that based on the design. If you are a fan of textbooks only, you can go for 8GB since you will not strain the storage system with the lightweight content.

On average, an ebook may have about 300 pages and 75,000 words, making it about 2.6MB unless it contains images that will increase the size. The aspects that determine the space a book needs are the presence of images, font type, number of pages, and other factors. You can also tell this when buying titles from Amazon because you can see how many pages the book is and its size.

It helps you manage your storage better according to available space. 8GB is practical for many users since it can hold over 2,000 titles, more than enough even for frequent readers. The 6GB remaining after usage by the system is sufficient, and you can carry the massive library wherever you go. The best part is that it is cheaper than the 32 GB, given that it is the standard version.

In contrast, 32GB is more expensive but offers more value for money, given that it holds almost four times as many books as the 8GB option. It is ideal for ebook fans who always want access to more than 10000 books.

If you are a bookworm that spends hours a day reading, you will need the 32 GB Kindle. Another advantage is that it offers the user peace of mind. You don’t have to keep reorganizing books and freeing up space because there is enough room for all your favorites.

Generally, how much space you need depends on the content you want to access on your Kindle. For instance, regular textbooks and novel lovers can use the 8GB or the 32GB version. However, if you prefer audiobooks or comics and graphic novels, you may need as much space as possible. These contents are heavier than typical textbooks and will consume much space. If you are a fan, you will be safer investing more money on the 32GB, or you will keep running out of space.

Bottomline

Any prospective buyer would be confused, not knowing whether to go for the 8GB or 32GB Kindle. The latter may have more space, but it is more expensive, making you wonder whether the extra cost is worth it. If you are an occasional reader and prefer basic textbooks, you will find the 8GB ideal since it can accommodate more than a thousand books.

On the contrary, the 32GB version has the advantage of holding more ebooks, including heavy options like audiobooks, comics, and PDFs. You won’t have to keep reorganizing your library for more room because it rarely runs out. Therefore, the version to go for will depend on your preferred ebook genre and how many titles you want to store.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is a technology expert based in the UK, with experience across a number of technology areas from phones, tablets, computers to gaming.

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