The Kindle Colorsoft faces shipping delays, but don’t be put off by its yellow screen issue

A fix is coming, but we don't think it's a major issue

· TechRadar

News By Mark Wilson published 6 November 2024

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
  • Amazon warns of delays to Kindle Colorsoft shipping
  • 'Small number' of Colorsoft customers affected by yellow screen issue
  • TechRadar review concludes that the problem is barely noticeable

Amazon has warned that its first-ever color ereader, the Kindle Colorsoft, could face shipping delays while it fixes a small screen issue that it says has affected a "small number of customers." Now that we've published our full Amazon Kindle Colorsoft review, we've concluded the problem shouldn't be a big factor in your buying decision.

After a report from The Verge highlighted that some users were experiencing a small yellow strip along the bottom of the Kindle Colorsoft's display, Amazon acknowledged the issue.

It told us that "a small number of customers have reported a yellow band along the bottom of the display" and that "customers who notice this can reach out to our customer service team for a replacement or refund."

It added that the problem shouldn't impact future units, stating, "we’re making the appropriate adjustments to ensure that new devices will not experience this issue moving forward." Amazon also told us that the availability of the Kindle Colorsoft may be affected while it makes these fixes, and anyone affected can continue using their device until replacement ones arrive.

So, how big is the issue? While we did see signs of the yellow band during our review (see below), it wasn't particularly noticeable. That led us to give it a four-and-a-half-star rating, concluding that "it doesn't feel like a first-generation technology" and that "it might be the best Kindle yet."

A major issue?

Our Kindle Colorsoft review sample (above) shows small signs of yellow banding at the bottom, but we barely noticed it during testing (Image credit: Future)

So, should you be worried about the Kindle Colorsoft's display issue? We don't think so, and Amazon says replacements will be sent to the "small number" of customers affected.

We saw small signs of the issue in our review unit (above), so you can see for yourself. But as our US Mobiles Editor Philip Berne concluded in our review "the effect is so slight that I never would have seen it if I didn’t read The Verge’s report."

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