A touchscreen and light make the new X4 Pro the best version of Xteink’s tiny e-readers
The Xteink X4 Pro offers upgraded hardware, including a touchscreen and light, but is hampered by frustrating software and the lack of a standard USB-C port. Despite these flaws, it remains the best option in the company's lineup for those seeking a highly portable reading device.
Why it matters
The review highlights the trade-offs consumers face when choosing niche hardware over established, polished ecosystems.
If you’ve been undecided on which Xteink device to get, the new X4 Pro is it. The familiar story with Xteink’s tiny e-readers plays out once again with its new X4 Pro: upgraded hardware held back by frustrating software. The company’s latest tiny e-reader adds a touchscreen and lighting, so choosing it over a Kindle or a Kobo feels like less of a compromise — until you use it. The new touch controls and some welcome software updates do manage to make the X4 Pro easier to use, but frustrations still abound. There’s a happier ending to the story this time, however, as the team behind the excellent CrossPoint Reader software plan to have their alternative firmware ready for the new device at its launch. If you’ve been considering one of Xteink’s e-readers, the X4 Pro is the one to get, even if it’s the most expensive yet.
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