Well I can say without a doubt that my K3 and K4 do not have the same finish as each other. It's really hard to get it in a picture believe me I've tried I've taken over 50 pics and you might get lucky to get it to show correctly but I have not. I am open suggestions on how to get the screen to show correctly on a digital photo. I've tried flash and non flash so far.
I wont say those who say their K3 and K4 are the same or better are wrong. We know E-Ink varies but I can say my K3 screen is far superior then the two K4 I have own. So I just recommend not getting rid of your K3 till you get your K4 and are happy with it. I had two other people PM me privately who had my issue but didn't want others to know. I hope they have their new ones by now like I do and are happy with it.
I just say don't get rid of your K3 till you get a K4. So you don't wind up asking yourself why you got rid of such a great reader for a basic one.
Some are speculating that maybe the K3 purchased in 2010 have better contrast and lighter background then those made in 2011. I don't know if this is true but It's a possibility Amazon switched manufacturer during that time or used a different stock of screen.
I don't know if I think the screen is lesser quality. The new one doesn't have the pixel problem the old one had. The old one I had looked like Tom's hardware's pics. You could tell it on the Ws, Ms and a few letters. I don't see this on the new one. So again it varies and if you get a screen you don't like, don't settle! Amazon will be happy to make it good. There could be a bad batch out there. I know I had one but my new one is pretty good and I'm happy with it.
