We independently review all recommendations. Purchases made through our links may earn us an affiliate commission. Learn more.
As Amazon’s first color e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, begins to arrive in customers’ hands, users are encountering an unexpected screen issue—a persistent yellow bar at the bottom of the display. This issue, prominent enough to affect even The Verge’s review unit, has sparked criticism online and has visibly impacted the device’s rating on Amazon, where it currently stands at an average of 2.6 stars.
The Kindle Colorsoft, priced at $279.99, has been widely anticipated for its color display innovation in the e-reader market. However, many customers have taken to platforms like Reddit to voice their concerns about the display’s discoloration. A notable thread on Reddit showcases images revealing the yellow tint, which is said to be particularly evident when the e-reader’s screen is meant to appear uniformly lit and paper-like. Some users have exchanged or returned their devices due to this defect, while others commented that the issue becomes noticeable primarily when using the device’s edge lighting.
There is speculation that the discoloration could be addressed through a future software update. Suggesting a potential link between the issue and a recent software update, some users reported that the problem became evident only after the initial setup of updates. Customer service responses captured in screenshots shared on Reddit indicate that Amazon might be working on a remedy.
The widespread nature of this defect remains unclear, but on Amazon’s product page, many reviews—both positive and negative—highlight the persistent yellow bar. Some find the discoloration so minor that it doesn’t hinder the reading experience, while others find it too intrusive to ignore.
Andrew Liszewski from The Verge, who is currently reviewing the Kindle Colorsoft, noted that in practice, the yellow bar is less discernible when compared to how it appears in photos. This suggests that while some users might find it negligible, the issue is undeniably present for others.
With Amazon yet to comment officially on the matter, affected Kindle Colorsoft users are left waiting for a promised fix—likely in the form of a software update. This situation underscores the challenges and unavoidable hiccups that can occur with innovative technology, and the ultimate resolution remains to be seen.
