According to WIRED's review by Nena Farrell, Xteink's micro e-readers are the smallest e-readers the reviewer has ever seen. The popular Boox Palma is still the size of a smartphone, but Xteink's line is even smaller — so small that the devices are designed to snap onto the back of a phone, underneath the camera. Last month, Xteink launched the X4 Pro, an upgraded version of its existing X4 that adds a touchscreen, a home button, and an updated design, making it feel more like a mini smartphone or Kindle, WIRED reported.
The X4 Pro at a glance
WIRED's review highlights the Xteink X4 Pro's specs for a device of its size. It has a 4.3-inch display with both a touchscreen and silent, smooth buttons for control. A dual-tone front light — a feature older Xteink models lack — lets readers choose between warm or cool lighting, similar to the Kindle Paperwhite. The display is clear and crisp, making the small letters easy to read, according to the review.
The book-access hurdle
Despite the fresh design, the real hurdle remains accessing books. The Xteink X4 Pro has no built-in shop, so the easiest method, according to WIRED, is to have an EPUB file handy — or the URL to a long internet essay or article — and quickly upload it through the Xteink app.
"The biggest hurdle is that you need to BYOB—bring your own books," WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell reported. "Not everyone is ready to manage their books as files."
Both the Xteink X4 Pro and its companion app are very easy to navigate, WIRED noted, but the BYOB requirement is significant. The reviewer also pointed out that the very small screen will have readers turning to a new page after every two or so paragraphs, though it remains "a fun option" for anyone wanting something super portable to read on.
How it compares
WIRED positioned the Xteink X4 Pro against two established e-reader benchmarks. The Boox Palma is described as smartphone-sized, while the Xteink line is smaller still, clipping onto a phone. The Kindle Paperwhite is referenced for its dual-tone front light, a feature the X4 Pro now shares.
| Feature | Xteink X4 Pro (per WIRED) |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.3-inch, touchscreen plus buttons |
| Lighting | Dual-tone front light (warm or cool) |
| Design | Snaps onto back of phone, under camera |
| Book access | No built-in shop; upload EPUB or URL via app |
| Reading experience | Clear, crisp display; frequent page turns |
| Controls | Silent, smooth buttons and touchscreen |
The Xteink X4 Pro and the Xteink app are easy to navigate, but managing books as files is not for everyone. For procurement leaders evaluating field-ready reading devices or single-purpose hardware, the Xteink X4 Pro demonstrates that miniaturisation can be paired with clear displays and adjustable lighting — yet the absence of a built-in book store places the burden of content acquisition squarely on the user. WIRED's review suggests that, while the device is a fun option for super-portable reading, the book-access chore remains the deciding factor between novelty and daily utility.
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