Kindle Colorsoft

The reviews for the Kindle Colorsoft are in, and it’s not good. As you know, I was considering buying it before it was released, but now reading all the negative reviews, I’m definitely avoiding it.

Colorsoft Customer Reviews (02 Nov 2024)

It’s funny how none of the reviews that got free review units points out or were critical of the Colorsoft’s flaws. Can you really trust all those YouTubers or review websites? It takes getting the units in the hands of regular consumers will you see a true review of the product.

Reading through all the recent reviews, they all mention one thing: there is a yellow bar at the bottom of the Colorsoft.

I’m assuming this is just a simple software fix, perhaps something a full refresh of the screen will remove the yellow tint? If it’s a software thing, Amazon really need to push out an update now, if not yesterday!

Reasons to not buy a Kindle Colorsoft:

#1 Yellow tint at the bottom of the Kindle Colorsoft

It sounds like this can be fixed with a software update… but, as of this moment, it’s unwanted and it’s distracting.

#2 No System-Wide Dark Mode

Everybody’s favorite system-wide dark mode (useful when you read in the dark) is no longer available. You can invert each book, but system menus are still bright white.

#3 Non-Kindle Content

You can sideload your personal PDF and ePub, but Amazon won’t display their covers or have all the features like Glideview. At first, I thought this was a bug, but as time goes on, I realize that this was a deliberate choice by Amazon. They are giving you an inferior experience on purpose so you’ll want to buy their books to get all the features.

#4 No pen support

You can’t write or take notes on the Colorsoft. If you want to write and take notes, you’ll have to spend more money on the Kindle Scribe.

#5 No physical buttons

For those who wants physical page turn buttons, there are none on the Colorsoft. Its competitors in the 7” color e-ink market have buttons, including Kobo Colour and Boox Go Color.

#6 Kaleido 3

The problem with all current color e-ink screens (with the exception of the Remarkable Paper Pro), is that it is only 150dpi with only 4,000 colors and it casts a grey overlay over the black and white pixels. As a result, the black and white is more like black and grey and the text are not crisp, but slightly hazy. Some people describe this as a “screen door effect” (like you’re look at the world with a screen door in front of it). Having own a Kaleido 3 device, I will agree with all the negative items of this technology.

#7 Power Button

A lot of people are complaining about the placement of the power button being at the bottom of the device. That means if you set it down to a stand or a wireless charger that you can accidentally turn it off. Or if you hold it at the bottom, you can accidentally turn it off. Most devices have the power button on top (like the Remarkable Paper Pro) or the right side (like the Boox devices) or in the back (like the Kobo).

#8 Kindle Software

You can praise the Kindle for its simplicity… but it’s also a problem. Do you want to fine-tune the color saturation? Do you want to full refresh every page? Do you turn the whole page to black and white? Sorry, these options aren’t available to you.

#9 No Kobo, no Google

To be fair, this is a Kindle and there are no expectations that Kindle will allow other book stores. Still, wouldn’t it be nice to access your Kobo or Google Books on the same device? With my iPad and my Boox Note Air 3 C, I can access all my books (including the Kindle) with no issues.

#10 Price

There’s no way around this, at $279, it is expensive for its size. With a cover, this thing will be well over $300. The Colorsoft is more expensive than its competitors like the Kobo Colour for $219 (you can also buy a pen and take notes) or Boox Go Color at $249.