The quick answer is "for over a decade," though realistically a Kindle lasts until Amazon stops supporting it. Amazon promises at least four years of security updates for every Kindle it sells, but many devices stay in use well beyond that window, with some owners getting 15 years from one unit. A Kindle can become effectively unusable long before it physically breaks down, because software support ends, batteries lose capacity and older models fall outside the ecosystem Amazon actively maintains.
In many cases, Amazon goes beyond its four-year commitment. The 2024 Kindle Paperwhite and first-gen Kindle Colorsoft are both slated to receive security updates through the end of 2030, roughly six years of guaranteed coverage from launch. Kindles often outlast their official support windows by quite a bit. Practically, using a Kindle that no longer gets security patches is not as serious as doing so on a laptop or phone, since these devices hold little personal data. Attackers have little reason to target them, and owners who are concerned can keep the device offline and transfer DRM-free books via USB.
Sometimes support is lost entirely. Amazon recently cut off older models, including devices released as late as 2012 and the first Kindle from 2007. These devices can no longer download, purchase or borrow new books, though they can still read the titles already stored on them. For older models, battery capacity is the most important factor. Assuming half an hour of reading per day, a Kindle lasts between six and twelve weeks on a single charge.
Watch for signs that your device is failing. Rapid battery drain, stuck spots or discoloration on the screen, and sluggish page turns or menus all suggest the Kindle is nearing the end of its life. Amazon has not announced further cutoffs, but devices that have gone years without updates are the most likely candidates for the next list.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing