Xteink’s tiny X4 Pro e-reader returns with a $99 catch
The second-generation X4 adds a touchscreen, MagSafe-friendly back and frontlight, but Mashable found its file limits hard to ignore.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Xteink has brought back its ultra-small X4 e-reader with a redesigned second generation, the X4 Pro, a $99 device built for readers who want something smaller than a passport and close to credit-card size.
The little reader has attracted attention for its pocketable footprint. Mashable previously named the earlier X4 its best mini e-reader, and reviewer Samantha Mangino has now tried the new X4 Pro ahead of launch.
What the X4 Pro offers
According to Mashable, the Xteink X4 Pro has a 4.26-inch display with 219 ppi resolution. That is below the 300 ppi offered by Kindle and Kobo models cited in the review.
The device includes 8MB of RAM and 16MB of built-in storage, with expansion of up to 256GB through a microSD card. Xteink lists battery life at more than 10 hours, which Mashable says works out to roughly one to two weeks of casual reading.
The X4 Pro adds a touchscreen, a frontlight and physical buttons on the side. There is also a round home button that Mashable compared to the old iPhone button.
Its back is magnetic and compatible with MagSafe, meaning it can attach to the rear of an iPhone. For charging, Xteink has skipped a standard USB-C port and uses a magnetic pogo-pin connection that works with USB-C.
The e-reader connects to WiFi. Books can be loaded through the Xteink app, USB-C or a microSD card, according to Mashable.
The catch: file support
The X4 Pro is built around DRM-free reading. Mashable reports that it supports text-only PDF and MOBI files, along with JPG and BMP image files.
That leaves out readers whose libraries are tied to major ebook stores or protected formats. Mangino wrote that the device is “not a great e-reader for most people” unless they exclusively read DRM-free books.
The review found one clearer use case: articles. Mashable says users can add an article URL in the Xteink app and sync it to the e-reader.
Hands-on impressions
Mangino’s early verdict was mixed. She wrote that the idea of a mini e-reader is fun, but said the X4 Pro had glitches during testing and froze several times, requiring restarts.
The touchscreen and home button were viewed as improvements over the previous model’s front buttons, which Mangino described as confusing in use.
The magnetic charging setup got a cooler reception. Mashable said the required pogo-pin extension is small and easy to misplace, and that the connection was not very secure when attached to a USB-C cable.
The Xteink X4 Pro is available from Xteink for $99. Based on Mashable’s first impressions, the device may appeal most to readers with DRM-free files or people who want a tiny article reader, rather than anyone looking for a full Kindle or Kobo replacement.
This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.