It was formerly considered conspecific with black-fronted white-eye, Zosterops minor, but work by Pamela C. Rasmussen and her colleagues showed that it is a separate species.

The same research also confirmed the specific status of the Sangihe white-eye, Zosterops nehrkorni.

Compared to related taxa, the bill of Seram white-eye is paler, deeper, and broader at the base.

The sides of the breast and flanks are greyish-white, the undertail-coverts are orange-yellow, the thighs are whitish, and the uppertail is brownish-black.

The sexes are similar, but immatures have the throat greener and more diffuse, with more black mixed into the chin feathers.