Users find a weird issue with the Kindle 2026: Amazon says it was 'expected'

What you need to know

• Early Kindle 2026 owners report a "light bleeding" problem with the device when in dark mode.
• Users state that the edges of the device experience a bright glow while in dark mode, and Amazon says this "was expected."
• In a statement, Amazon said this "issue" was expected to "achieve a color bezel." Users can limit this problem by lowering the brightness in dark mode.

We're about eight days into Amazon's new line of Kindles, and users are already reporting problems with its display.

While the 2026 Amazon Kindles bring notable improvements over previous iterations, users have started reporting display oddities (via Android Authority). One user on Reddit provided a photo of their basic Kindle, showcasing the "light bleed" effect they're experiencing. The post reads, "I wanted to ask if you think these very bright lights around the edges of the new basic Kindle are normal."

The problem only seems to appear when the Kindle is in dark mode. This "light bleed" is most apparent along the edges of the device's bezels. Since it's in dark mode, the glow mirrors the white text that you'd read. As the user states, their other device doesn't have such an issue, as the black background presses against the bezels. However, this 2026 edition falters in this regard.

Others believe this is not normal, as they recount experiences with a Paperwhite 2024, which didn't have this problem. Users report similar problems with their 2026 Kindle; however, some haven't noticed an issue. Many call for those with this light bleed issue to contact Amazon for a replacement, but that might be easier said than done.

Amazon delivered to Android Authority: "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 the light bleed becomes too much of an eyesore, Amazon recommends lowering your brightness in dark mode.

New Kindle problems

Light bleeding in new basic 2026fromr/kindle

Many users on Reddit have voiced their frustrations with this development. Amazon's 2026 Kindle lineup is its most redesigned series in years. The company overhauled its display, delivering a reverse-stack that drops the raised bezels so everything sits flush. As a result, Amazon made the Kindle lighter and thinner.

The six-inch Kindle for $150 delivers 16GB of storage, six weeks of battery, and quickens its book-opening speed by 30%. Consumers will also find a $200 Kindle Paperwhite and a $250 Signature Edition. Another major announcement was the Bluetooth page-turner remote. Amazon calls this the Kindle Click. Many of the current Kindles are available now for shipping.

If you're looking at the Paperwhite and Colorsoft models, you'll have to pre-order them.