Kindle Paperwhite Available To Pre-Order In UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain

Amazon had another European announcement today. The Kindle Paperwhite is now available to pre-order in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Canada won’t get it for now.

Both the 3G and Wi-Fi only models are available in those countries. The Wi-Fi variant costs €129 or £109 (around $170, sales tax included) while the 3G version costs €189 or £169 (respectively $244 and $271). As special offers are not available in Europe, the Kindle Paperwhite will come without ads.

British customers should expect their device sooner than other Europeans as shipments will begin on October 25 in the U.K. and on November 22 elsewhere.

Right after the official release of the Kindle Paperwhite in the U.S., Amazon had to delay shipments. Amazon.com still displays the same 4 to 6 weeks delay notice. The company may have chosen to set aside devices for the European launch.

Paperwhite’s success is no surprise. In our review, John Biggs qualified it as a reader’s dream. The new lightning system, the improved screen and the updated touch interface are the key points of the update.

Now that Amazon is refining its e-reader every year, the company must proceed quickly for international availability if it doesn’t want to release an obsolete device just before the end of a release cycle.