If you got a device with a rainbow screen they will exchange it as there is something wrong with your screen.
As for the battery issues, well, lots of people weren't impressed including me. And having a bad firmware was a bummer for me too, as it is the first time since I got my Aura in 04/2014 the firmware doesn't work for me as intended.
Footnotes and sluggishness go away when using kepubs, as others have said before.
But I have to admit, the screen seemed less responsive than my Aura to me too.
All in all, I am very happy with my Aura One, now I finally got the firmware patch right and hope it all will be happy ever after coming the 26th and the firmware update.
The screen is awesome! And you are right, one has to say it a couple of times: Awesome, awesome, awesome
