Amazon admits some of its latest Kindles have a defect (Update: New statement)

Update: October 9, 2026 (12:23 PM ET): An Amazon spokesperson has reached out to Android Authority with the following statement:

It’s correct that when a device is in dark mode with brightness at max in a dark setting, customers may see a glow around the edges of the book. However, this was expected in order for us to achieve a color bezel, and only appears in certain conditions like when in dark mode with high brightness. If customers want to mitigate this glow, we recommend trying a lower brightness setting when in dark mode.

Original article: October 9, 2026 (11:28 AM ET): Earlier this month, Amazon launched its latest line of Kindle models. This year’s base Kindle is not only smaller, but also lighter and 30% faster than before. Additionally, Amazon decided to give the e-reader a flush bezel and a protective glass layer this time. If you purchased one of these devices, know that there’s a chance your e-reader has a defect.

Users are reporting that there is a light bleeding problem on the vanilla Amazon Kindle 2026. The problem becomes especially apparent when reading in dark mode. Affected users report seeing edge shadows or lines of light running along the bezel edges. The image below features an older model (left) next to the Kindle 2026 (right).

According to Good e-Reader, Amazon is aware of the problem and admits there was an issue with some batches of the 2026 Kindle. The defect affects all colors and both plastic and aluminum models. It appears the cause of the issue is rooted in how Amazon layered the touchscreen and front-lit display.

“While minor edge shadows or side-lighting variations can happen on flush-front e-readers, prominent light bleeding (especially in dark mode) is often considered a defect,” an Amazon spokesperson told the outlet. “Users experiencing severe light bleed on new units are typically advised to exchange the device.”

It appears that the issue only affects the standard Kindle model. That means the 2026 Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Paperwhite should be free of this problem.