Amazon's first color Kindle faces display issues shortly after launch
Amazon's first color e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, has begun shipping to customers, but early feedback has been less than stellar. Many buyers report a yellowish discoloration stripe appearing at the display's bottom edge, which detracts from the device's expected paper-like reading experience. The problem has gained significant attention across social media and forums, affecting the $279.99 device's Amazon ratings, though customer service representatives suggest a solution is being developed.
One Reddit user noted that the defect becomes most noticeable when the Kindle is "supposed to be evenly lit and colored like a piece of paper." Several other users facing the same issue mentioned returning or exchanging their devices, while others indicated they only spotted the discoloration when viewing the screen from certain angles or under edge lighting.
There is speculation that this defect may be software-related. Some customers say they noticed the yellowish strip only after the device’s initial software update, suggesting that it might be a glitch introduced post-manufacturing. According to a screenshot shared by another user, an Amazon customer service representative confirmed that the company is working on a solution, potentially through a future software update. Amazon has not yet released an official statement, though reports indicate that a fix could be forthcoming.
It's unclear how widespread the problem is. The Kindle Colorsoft currently holds a 2.6-star average rating on Amazon's website. While some dismiss the yellow strip as barely noticeable, others argue that it significantly disrupts the reading experience.
In a review unit being tested by The Verge, reporter Andrew Liszewski notes that the discoloration is more prominent in photographs than in person. He remarked that, without prior awareness of others' complaints, he might not have noticed it at all. However, with the growing number of dissatisfied customers and ongoing exchanges and returns, it remains to be seen how Amazon will address the issue and whether an update can fully resolve it.
Update:
Amazon has released a statement regarding the situation.
A small number of customers have reported a yellow band along the bottom of the display. We take the quality of our products seriously—customers who notice this can reach out to our customer service team for a replacement or refund, and we’re making the appropriate adjustments to ensure that new devices will not experience this issue moving forward. – Amazon spokesperson
