Amazon promises at least four years of security updates for every Kindle, but the devices often outlive that window by a wide margin. According to Engadget, a 2013 Kindle Paperwhite is still in good working order even though support ended in 2019, and some owners report getting 15 years from a single unit.
The bigger risk is not hardware failure but loss of ecosystem access. Amazon has already cut off models released between 2007 and 2012 from downloading, purchasing, or borrowing new books. Those devices can still read content already stored on them, but they become effectively frozen outside the company's active support.
Physical warning signs include battery drain that no longer holds a charge for weeks, screen issues like stuck pixels or yellowing, and sluggish performance. The absence of software updates also means missing security patches and new features, though the article notes that Kindles hold little personal data, so the security risk is lower than for a laptop or phone.
The bottom line: a well-maintained Kindle can last a decade or more, and upgrading is not urgent unless clear warning signs appear. Newer models offer color displays and features like the Kindle Click, but for owners of older devices that still work, there is no pressing need to replace them.