Tag: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft

  • Colorsoft Teardown: Scratches on Kindle Display Under Microscope

    Colorsoft Teardown: Scratches on Kindle Display Under Microscope

    The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is a new e-reader priced at $279 on Amazon. This device is designed to be waterproof and boasts a battery life of up to eight weeks. It features a 7-inch e-ink display that can show colors, a first for Kindle devices, which previously only displayed grayscale. Popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything recently reviewed this latest Kindle in an in-depth teardown video that you can watch below. In the video, he examines the subpixels, which come in red, green, and blue, using a microscope.

    Subpixel Structure

    The subpixels appear as squares rather than the typical strips found in LCD screens. The colored e-ink screen uses a color filter that assigns a specific hue to each subpixel. This innovation causes the pixel density to decrease from 300 PPI to 150 PPI when displaying colored images. The microscope revealed that the surface of the Kindle Colorsoft is rougher than that of an Apple iPad Pro, which has a nano-texture glass that minimizes reflections.

    Material and Durability Concerns

    Notably, the display surface is made of plastic instead of glass. This means it can get scratched when it comes into contact with something that rates a 3 on the Mohs hardness scale. Because of this, using a screen protector is advisable. Additionally, the overall body of the Kindle Colorsoft is plastic and doesn’t offer much resistance to scratches. On the plus side, the Kindle Colorsoft passed JerryRig’s bend test with good results. Inside, the device shows significant empty space, indicating that there could have been room for a larger battery, yet it still maintains the claimed eight-week battery life under regular use.

    Repairability and Conclusion

    The conclusion of the video is particularly intriguing as JerryRigEverything removes the color filter from the black and white e-ink panel, showing how the colors originate from the extra panel layer. Interestingly, some repairs seem to be straightforward due to the back being attached with clips, allowing easy access to replace the battery, for instance.

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