TechInsights Teardown: Amazon Kindle Scribe

19 April 2024

The Kindle Scribe is both an ebook reader and a tablet. Source: AmazonThe Kindle Scribe is both an ebook reader and a tablet. Source: Amazon

Editor’s note: Information from this teardown is supplied courtesy of TechInsights. Learn more about the Amazon Kindle Scribe teardown here.

Despite numerous other platforms where electronic books, or e-books, can be read, e-book readers continue to be a decent selling option, particularly for Amazon.

The once book-only e-commerce site has been selling e-books for decades and what was once a simple tablet style device that only was in black and white, they have come not surprisingly very far over the years.

Take the Amazon Kindle Scribe for example. It is not just an e-book reader but a notebook as well. It has a 10 inch touchscreen display and feels like paper. There is also a stylus if users want to add notes to a book or draw or use it when operating the tablet side.

The Kindle Scribe is considered a multi-function consumer device that can handle several functions outside of “just reading books.” It contains 1 GB of SDRAM, 16 GB of NAND flash and is powered by MediaTek’s 1 GHz dual-core applications processor.

The following is a partial deep dive into the Amazon Kindle Scribe conducted by TechInsights.

Summary

  • 10.22 inch electrophoretic touchscreen display
  • 1 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM

Released: November 2022

Price: $340

Availability: Worldwide

Target market: Consumer

The main board of the Kindle Scribe includes the applications processor and main memory. Source: TechInsightsThe main board of the Kindle Scribe includes the applications processor and main memory. Source: TechInsights

Main board

The main board of the Amazon Kindle Scribe contains the main processor and memory for the e-book reader/notebook. The electronic components on the board include:

  • MediaTek’s 2 GHz dual-core applications processor
  • MediaTek’s Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth/GPS/FM Radio
  • SanDisk’s multichip memory, 16 GB MLC NAND flash
  • SK Hynix’s 1 GB mobile LPDDR4X SDRAM
  • SGMicro’s 300 mA/2.8 V LDO regulator
  • Vishay’s load switch
  • Texas Instruments’ single two input positive AND gate and 3 A battery charger
  • Rohm’s power management IC
  • Fitipower’s multi-channel DC-DC converter
  • Bosch Sensortec’s three-axis MEMS accelerometer

(Learn more about memory chips on Globalspec.com)

The auxiliary board of the Kindle Scribe. Source: TechInsightsThe auxiliary board of the Kindle Scribe. Source: TechInsights

Auxiliary board

The auxiliary board inside the Amazon Kindle Scribe includes some of the electronic components needed for operation of the e-book reader. The components include:

  • Analog Devices’ USB Type-C charger detector
  • ABLIC’s hall effect sensor
  • TI’s ambient light sensor

(Learn more about sensors on Globalspec.com)

Some of the components found inside the Kindle Scribe from Amazon. Source: TechInsightsSome of the components found inside the Kindle Scribe from Amazon. Source: TechInsights

Major components

  • $42.33 — Display/touchscreen subsystem (Qty: 1)
  • $20.21 — Back cover (Qty: 1)
  • $12.32 — Main frame (Qty: 1)
  • $5.49 — Battery subsystem (Qty: 1)
  • $5.18 — 8-layer buildup FR4/HF (Qty: 1)
  • $5.07 — 2 GHz dual-core applications processor — MediaTek (Qty: 1)
  • $3.26 — Multichip memory, 16 GB MLC NAND flash — SanDisk (Qty: 1)
  • $2.52 — Stylus subsystem (Qty: 1)
  • $1.46 — 1 GB mobile LPDDR4X SDRAM — SK Hynix (Qty: 1)
  • $1.28 — Small passives (Qty: 321)
To contact the author of this article, email GlobalSpecEditors@globalspec.com


Powered by CR4, the Engineering Community

Discussion – 0 comments

By posting a comment you confirm that you have read and accept our Posting Rules and Terms of Use.
Engineering Newsletter Signup
Get the GlobalSpec
Stay up to date on:
Features the top stories, latest news, charts, insights and more on the end-to-end electronics value chain.
Advertisement
Weekly Newsletter
Get news, research, and analysis
on the Electronics industry in your
inbox every week - for FREE
Sign up for our FREE eNewsletter
Advertisement