Amazon’s new Kindles appear to have a light leak problem

Some users are reporting that the new Kindles have a light leak issue that is especially apparent when using dark mode. The latest base-model Kindles have a flush bezel that gives them a sleek appearance and looks great… as long as you keep the lights on. But things can change once you turn down the lights and turn up the brightness on the e-reader.

In some cases, users see shadows around the edges of the screen, or even visible LED strips. The issue appears to affect both the plastic and aluminum models in all colors. Some minor glowing around the edges might be a byproduct of the combination of front lighting and a flush screen. But Reddit users say images shared there show something more dramatic that appears to be a defect.

Good e-Reader said that Amazon confirmed a manufacturing issue; however, Amazon says that report is inaccurate. When contacted by The Verge, Amazon spokesperson Katie Condon said, “In certain, highly specific conditions, such as using dark mode at a higher brightness settings in a dark environment, customers may see a subtle glow on the edge of the display on devices with colored bezels. This can be mitigated by adjusting the front light to a lower level.”

Update October 9th, 2026: Added statement from Amazon.

Update October 15th, 2026: Added Amazon’s denial of a manufacturing issue.