Xteink X4 Pro Review: Tiny E-Reader Impresses but Lacks a Bookstore
Wired reviewed Xteink's new pocket-sized X4 Pro e-reader, which adds a touchscreen and stronger magnets but still has no built-in ebook store, earning it a 6-out-of-10 rating.
Xteink has released its newest micro e-reader, the X4 Pro, an upgraded version of the original X4 that adds a touchscreen, a home button, and a refreshed design. The device, small enough to attach magnetically to the back of a smartphone beneath its camera, was reviewed by Wired and given a rating of 6 out of 10.
Compact and Lightweight
The X4 Pro features a 4.3-inch display with touchscreen capability and quiet physical buttons, along with a dual-tone front light that lets users choose warm or cool lighting. Weighing just 72 grams and measuring 5.95 millimeters wide, the device feels nearly weightless. Compared to the base X4, the Pro version has much stronger magnets, allowing it to attach to phones including the iPhone 16 Pro without a case. It ships with 16 GB of storage, expandable to 256 GB via microSD, and battery capacity has grown from 650 mAh to 1100 mAh.
No Built-In Bookstore
The biggest drawback is the absence of a built-in ebook store, unlike Kindle or Kobo devices, and the X4 Pro is not compatible with the popular library app Libby. Users must source their own DRM-free EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT, or image files and upload them via the Xteink app or USB. Sites like Standard Ebooks and eBooks.com offer suitable DRM-free content. The reviewer noted the device works especially well for reading fan fiction from Archive of Our Own (AO3) and for long online essays, since URLs can be sent directly to the device through the app.
Software Experience
The Xteink app makes it easy to send files and web pages from a phone to the device, and the X4 Pro handles text formatting better than the base model. The devices are unlocked, allowing users to install additional software such as CrossPoint or Crossink. However, the small screen requires frequent page turns, and managing book files can present a learning curve for those unfamiliar with ebook file management.
