The Xteink X4 Pro could be the tiny e-reader of your dreams - TechCrunch

What the report says

TechCrunch reports that Chinese hardware maker Xteink has introduced the Xteink X4 Pro, a very small e-reader that adds two features users had been asking for: a touchscreen and a front light. The device builds on Xteink’s earlier X3 and X4 models, which gained attention among readers online for being compact enough to fit in a pocket or attach magnetically to the back of a phone.

According to TechCrunch’s review, the X4 Pro keeps roughly the same miniature format as the X4, weighing 72 grams and measuring 5.95 mm thick, while using a 4.26-inch e-ink screen. The new front light made the device more practical for nighttime reading, though the reviewer found the dimmest setting still somewhat bright. Page turns can be handled through screen taps or side buttons, addressing some of the usability complaints about earlier button-only models.

The review says battery life remains strong: after about three weeks of use most days, the unit still had 60% charge remaining. One change that may divide users is the switch from USB-C on the X4 to a magnetic pogo-pin charger on the X4 Pro. TechCrunch also notes that the software has been updated and that users can still load open-source code, but transferring books over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can be awkward.

The device is aimed more at readers with their own EPUB files than those tied to major e-book ecosystems. TechCrunch cautions that library apps such as Libby are not directly supported, and Amazon e-books generally remain limited to Amazon’s own platforms. The Xteink X4 Pro is priced at $99 and, at launch, is being sold through Xteink’s website.