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Xteink’s $99 X4 Pro is a pocket-sized e-reader
Xteink’s $99 X4 Pro is a 72-gram, 4.3-inch e-reader with page buttons, phone magnets, and support for DRM-free books only.
Image: ITzine
At 72 grams and just 5.95 mm thick, the Xteink X4 Pro is an e-reader built for a pocket rather than a large display. Its footprint is close to that of a payment card, making a dedicated case seem unnecessary for carrying it in a bag or charging kit. Even the Boox Palma 2 Pro looks noticeably larger beside it.
Xteink is targeting a narrow market: readers who want an e-book device that stays with their smartphone and does little beyond reading. Compared with Amazon’s mass-market Kindle range, the X4 Pro prioritizes minimal size and weight over a broad content ecosystem.
Xteink X4 Pro features and limitations
The reader has a 4.3-inch display—too small for comics and graphic novels, but suitable for chapters, short notes, and reading on public transport. Users can turn pages with physical buttons, tap the touchscreen, or press a round button designed in the style of older iPhones.
The X4 Pro also includes built-in magnets for attaching it to the back of a smartphone. The idea is to keep the reader close at hand instead of leaving it somewhere in a backpack.
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Key specifications include:
- Storage: 16 GB, with microSD support up to 256 GB
- Battery: 1,100 mAh
- Lighting: adjustable front light
- Charging: magnetic adapter; there is no built-in USB-C port
The missing USB-C connector helps preserve the reader’s thin, light body, but means charging requires the included magnetic adapter. Books can be transferred wirelessly through the Xteink app or over USB when a cable and the necessary adapter are available.
The larger restriction is software compatibility. The X4 Pro supports only DRM-free books. That rules it out for users relying on a Kindle library or Libby, while owners of EPUB and MOBI files can load their existing collections without additional restrictions.
Price and availability
Xteink is asking $99 for the X4 Pro. That puts it close to the entry-level Kindle, which can often be cheaper during sales. Amazon’s reader has a larger screen, a wider ecosystem, and easier access to protected store content; Xteink’s answer is a device small enough to carry almost anywhere.
The X4 Pro is not positioned as a tablet replacement or a conventional Kindle alternative. Its appeal depends on whether that ultra-compact reading scenario is worth giving up access to DRM-protected books.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via ITzine
