Kindle Colorsoft Review: Amazon’s First Color E-Reader Delivers But Comes with Flaws

Amazon has now launched the Kindle Colorsoft, its first color e-reader, bringing a welcome splash of color to its Kindle line. At a price of $280, the Colorsoft is a new luxury e-reader for Amazon and is aimed straight at the devoted Kindle fan, particularly those reading comics and graphic novels, or others who devour visually rich material.

Even with premium features like a 7-inch color e-ink display and IPX8 waterproofing, the initial reactions all underscore a yellow hue at the bottom of the screen that makes some users skeptical about the steep price tag.

Key Features and Design

The design of the Kindle Colorsoft is borrowed from the newest Kindle Paperwhite, a 7-inch screen and IPX8 water resistance with a lightweight build weighing 219 grams. This new Kindle features Amazon’s new e-Ink Kaleido color display, adding a subtle hue to covers, illustrations, and highlighted text. Color readability is also less sharp, with color elements displayed at 150 PPI instead of 300 PPI for black-and-white text. This impacts sharpness in highly detailed graphic content.

Amazon claims that with custom display algorithms and nitrite LEDs, images gain more vibrant colors in comparison and brighter color contrast, though at a slightly brighter setting. Also, with pinch-and-zoom functioning, reading becomes much easier on the device, with this especially helpful for any kind of comic or illustrative art.

However, some of the users often experience a yellowish tint appearing at the lower portion of the screen, especially when it should be even all around the display. This further ruins the beauty of the appearance of the device, which, to be honest, occurs frequently online.

The Yellow Tinge Issue and Initial Reactions

Many users were looking for an upgrade of an older Kindle, even the color e-reader but after some early purchases of some of the units, many owners have expressed dissatisfaction with buying the unit. For starters, the yellow screen glow has not been in its favor with mixed reviews on Reddi, as many other reviewers have experienced this aspect too.

Everythingbeeps even mentioned that Amazon refunded theirs after complaining about this same issue but others claimed their replacements and did not return after that. Many are optimistic about replacements but still cautious with the feeling that this may be an issue that reoccurs with the gadget.

Another user, “xBitterTM,” said that he had to write a public review to get an exchange since customer service said the wait would be several days. A replacement is now on its way, but xBitterTM continues to worry about the yellow tinge and even saw dead pixels on the original product. Some users who are experiencing repeated problems with initial devices are looking for options such as the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition or switching to other brands such as Kobo for their e-readers.

“I was really excited about this device as a potential upgrade, but the yellow tinge issue has made me reconsider keeping it,” shared one user on a popular Kindle forum. “For $280, I expected a flawless experience, not a screen that looks uneven.”

Reading in Color: Is It Worth the Investment?

Despite the flaws of the screen, Kindle Colorsoft still provides an enjoyable read. For fans of comics or graphic novels, this color display truly makes all the difference, but not to the level on normal LCD or AMOLED screens. Still, there is an added functionality with the option to highlight in more than one color, which is not possible on any Kindle ever. However, for users of mostly text-based e-books, color functionality offers little value beyond the Kindle Paperwhite.

Amazon’s decision not to come with the color soft by a larger screen makes this reader wonder if it really is ideal for visual contents. The display does add something to some kinds of readings, but this small screen and bland colors are never perfect for comics or pictures-oriented material. The battery goes only as far as 8 weeks, which also falls short of the mighty 12 weeks-readings of the Kindle Paperwhite, readers’ heavy use.

Comparisons: Kindle Colorsoft vs. Other Color E-Readers

The competition for Kindle Colorsoft is Kobo Libra 2, boasting a same color e-ink, but coming in at half the cost of $220. As a model under Kobo, it features its page turn buttons and its compatibility with Kobo Stylus 2 is also ideal for note-taking, especially a feature some readers often look for. This means if the algorithms from Amazon tend to serve better contrast but smoother functionality, Colorsoft’s costly price and also its propensity to display everything yellow make the Libra 2 a better and more available option for frugal people.

This Kindle Colorsoft also has its rival in the form of the black-and-white Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, for $190. This comes with similar features such as wireless charging, 32GB storage, and an auto-adjusting front light, making it quite a strong contender for those readers who do not necessarily require color.

Pros and Cons of the Kindle Colorsoft

Pros:

• Color e-Ink Display: Adds depth to comics, graphic novels, and illustrated books.
• Exclusive Features: 32GB storage, wireless charging, and an auto-adjusting front light.
• Amazon Ecosystem: Seamless access to Amazon’s extensive eBook library and Prime content.

Cons:

• High Price: At $280, the Colorsoft is a premium purchase with questionable value for some users.
• Screen Issues: Reports of a yellow tinge on the screen’s bottom and occasional dead pixels.
• Muted Colors: Colors are softer than on LCD/AMOLED tablets, with 150 PPI for color elements.
• Shorter Battery Life: Eight weeks of battery life, shorter than the Kindle Paperwhite.

Verdict: A Bold Step Forward with Some Stumbles

The Kindle Colorsoft is the first proper effort at color from Amazon’s corner, specifically targeted at core enthusiasts who want to get extra use out of an e-reader. In reality, only the distinctive features that colors bring will likely go towards satisfying serious users who require graphic novels or comics for a screen, and as much can be dependent upon colors: when the colors are more washed out rather than vibrantly colorful and then there are the inherent, so far unavoidable issues regarding the quality of its display screen, the user will assuredly find it more pricey at $280.

This is an alternative worth exploring for the Colorsoft to Amazon Kindle lovers seeking something different. The company has a lot of work ahead: it has to ensure consistency in color output while preventing the display from appearing yellow. Only with this could Amazon stake a claim on a solid footing in the premium and trustworthy color e-reader segment of the market.