[ENG] Xteink X4, an unusual little device (review)

14 Dec, 2025

Every now and then that ultra–niche gadget comes along the one that just makes part of your day easier. For me, in the last few weeks, that’s been the Xteink X4: a tiny e-ink reader the size of a credit card, designed for maximum portability.

It’s definitely not a device for everyone more for tinkerers or anyone who wants a pocketable, minimalist reader but it does its job surprisingly well. Here’s my breakdown after using it for a few days.

1. Why a device this small actually makes sense

• True portability: fits in a jacket pocket, barely noticeable, super compact.
• Very light: surprisingly lightweight, but doesn’t feel fragile.
• Solid build: no creaking, and surprisingly “premium” considering the size.
• Flexible text settings: I use Xteink’s small default fonts and haven’t had any eye strain; you can increase font size if you want.

2. Pros

1. Affordable price
   On Xteink’s official website it’s listed around $70, but it’s often on sale.
   On AliExpress you can find it for 50–55 €.

   Note: the AliExpress version does update firmware even though many users say otherwise.

2. Active customer support
   The Xteink team is very present on Reddit and usually replies within 1–2 days.

3. Constant firmware development
   Xteink releases firmware updates almost every 1–2 weeks.
   Each update brings fixes, text layout improvements, new character support, and more.

4. Magnetic covers available
   The “book-style” magnetic covers are cheap, well-made, and offer good protection.
   More cover types are coming soon (rigid backplates, colored versions).

5. Battery life
   The 650 mAh battery is surprisingly long-lasting thanks to the low e-ink consumption.
   With my usage (1–3 hours of reading per day) I still haven’t needed to recharge it after two weeks.

3. Technical specs

Here are the relevant technical specs to understand what’s “under the hood”:

• Display: 4.3″ e-ink, 480×800 resolution, 220 ppi.
• Internal storage: 32 GB. (expandable up to 512 GB)
• Battery: 650 mAh.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz).
• OS: proprietary, not Android.
• Input: two page-turn buttons, OK, Back.
• Updates: via Wi-Fi, OTA.
• Supported files: TXT, EPUB (requires some setup to work well).

4. Cons

• Not for non-technical users
  If you want to gift it to someone older or not tech-savvy, it might be tricky: you need a PC to add books, convert files, fix BMP fonts, etc.

• Frequent updates = possible bugs
  The constant development is great, but each update can introduce new issues.

• Italian text rendering
  To read Italian books without problems, I had to convert files, fix encoding, and install custom fonts. It’s not fully “plug-and-play” yet.

• Shipping times
  The device is in high demand: you might wait more than two weeks.
  Many users on Reddit report delays.

5. Looking ahead: Xteink S4

Rumor has it (and Reddit users are almost certain) that in 2026 the Xteink S4 will launch: same compact size but Android-based.
This could mean:

• cloud access
• apps like KOReader
• better flexibility with different formats
• but likely a higher price

In my opinion, if it stays around 140 €, it could be a real bargain.

Conclusions

The Xteink X4 is perfect for a niche audience: anyone who wants an ultra-portable, lightweight, affordable, and DIY-friendly e-ink reader.
It’s not the most powerful Kindle, it has no frontlight and no advanced touchscreen, but no other device this size does what it does.

If you’re willing to invest a bit of time setting it up, it will definitely reward you.
For me, it has already become part of my daily reading routine especially when I want to disconnect from my phone screen but don’t feel like carrying a full-size Kindle around.

Just a quick reminder at the bottom of the page there’s a little button with two arrows pointing up.
If you click it, you’ll be doing me a huge favor <3

Thanks again, everyone 🫶🏻

#e-ink #eng #ereader #productivity #review #tech