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The Xteink X4 is a wallet-sized e-reader from China that has attracted a cult following of tinkerers on-line for its no-frills appeal and crisp 4.3-inch show. After I reviewed it final yr, I had a couple of minor lawsuits, however “too large” indubitably wasn’t one among them—no longer sudden, given I used to be already an adherent of the phone-sized Boox Palma 2. However in recent times I have been doing maximum of my studying at the Xteink X3, the X4’s even tinier brother, and I will’t assist however ponder whether there exists an e-reader so small I would possibly not like it.
The X3 has a three.7-inch display measured diagonally, which makes it about 14% smaller than the X4; together with the bezels, it has an total footprint that is more or less 20% smaller. Once we’re already speaking a few instrument so small my spouse rolled her eyes after I confirmed it to her, you’ll assume that downsizing would make it unusable—however after spending a couple of weeks the use of it to learn one of the vital longest novels on my TBR (the 900-page 1985 western Lonesome Dove, through Larry McMurtry), no longer best did I to find myself who prefer the X3 for being even much less evident to hold round with me, I did not assume the lack of display area affected the studying revel in in any respect. (Here is the place I notice that if the theory of studying on the sort of cramped display makes you frightened, imagine the likelihood that this instrument just isn’t for you, or that the individuals who adore it are nuts, or each.)
Credit score: Joel Cunningham
A notice on DRM-free e-books
Prior to I am getting extra into the specifics of the X3, a very powerful notice: To able anything else at the X3 or the X4, you’ll be able to want guide information which can be freed from virtual rights control (DRM), which is device steadily integrated on media information that limits what gadgets they’re usable on. I communicate a little bit extra about this factor in my evaluation of the X4; suffice it to mention should you don’t seem to be keen to supply DRM-free e-books or determine how to take away the DRM your self, this additionally is not the instrument for you.
Sizing variations between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
The X4 measures 114 x 69 x 5.98 mm and weighs 74g, whilst the X3 is 98 x 64 x 4.98 mm and 55g. Each are small and light-weight to make certain, however at concerning the measurement of a bank card, the X3 is so tiny, you may put out of your mind you are wearing it round. It is value noting that whilst early pictures of the X4 marketed it might magnetically connect to the again of your telephone (ostensibly so you’ll turn your telephone over to learn as an alternative of doomscrolling), it was once too large to take action securely on my iPhone 14. The X3, alternatively, is sized excellent, despite the fact that I nonetheless do not assume I would ever in reality do that, as the relationship is unfastened sufficient that the e-reader slides off the again of the telephone after I take it out of my pocket.
Credit score: Joel Cunningham
Clarity variations between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
In comparison to a Kindle Paperwhite’s 6.8-inch display, each the X3 and the X4 glance lovely tiny, however I to find them to be similarly readable. Each be offering 480×800 answer, however since the display at the X3 is smaller, the answer is in reality higher, at 250ppi as opposed to 220ppi for the X4. Until you are about an inch from the display, you most likely will not be able to identify this distinction with the bare eye (or even then)—textual content on each is sweet and crisp.
I like to learn in portrait mode, and to find each gadgets display sufficient textual content that I do not really feel like I am turning pages too steadily. In the event you as an alternative learn in panorama mode, here is a comparability appearing how a lot textual content suits on a web page on every (with a large-print business paperback for scale):
Credit score: Joel Cunningham
Battery and charging variations between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
Each gadgets have the similar 650 mAh battery, which provides you with a minimum of two weeks of standard use on one price, however the way you price them is other: Whilst the X4 makes use of a normal USB-C cable, to save lots of on area, the X3 has pogo pins at the again that require a distinct charging cable. I price it hardly sufficient that this does not hassle me, however I do not love desiring to bear in mind the place I put but any other proprietary cable. (Participants of the Xteink Reddit recommend a repair for this—a USB-C-to-pogo adapter—however that kinda simply turns out like one thing else I would lose.)
Variations in buttons between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
Whilst each have bodily buttons, the X3 has one further, including discreet up/down (or is that left/appropriate?) buttons on all sides of the instrument, slightly than the X4’s unmarried dual-function rocker at the right-hand facet. This improves usability slightly, as each now and again I’d put power at the mistaken facet of the X4’s page-turn button, and transfer again a web page as an alternative of ahead a web page. (Each gadgets have the similar dual-purpose buttons at the backside entrance bezel, on the other hand, and they’re going to nonetheless take a short time to get used to.) I additionally like that the facility/sleep button has been moved to the highest, the place I am much less more likely to press it unintentionally.
Gyroscope and NFC improve at the Xteink X3
The X3 additionally provides a gyroscope that are supposed to assist you to flip pages through tilting the instrument, however in observe, it is not very helpful, as I discovered the quantity of motion vital to cause a web page flip inconsistent (you’ll be able to toggle within the settings between extra and no more motion, however neither choice labored neatly for me). The X3 additionally helps near-field conversation (NFC) to allow wi-fi connection along with your telephone for report transfers, however I discovered it simply as simple to make use of Bluetooth or wifi, which might be supported on each. Each additionally paintings with the Xteink cellular app, which can be utilized to transform information and ship them to the instrument.
Garage variations between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
Neither instrument has inside garage, opting as an alternative for a card slot that accepts flash playing cards as much as 512GB, which is sufficient to grasp all your books until you’re a primary league virtual hoarder. (A 32GB card is integrated with either one of them.)
Worth variations between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
Whilst each e-readers are moderately reasonably priced, at $69, the X4 is weirdly less expensive than the smaller X3, which prices $10 extra (most probably because of the added tech and inclusion of the pogo cable).
What do you assume up to now?
Putting in the CrossPoint firmware is a will have to, whichever you select
The massive caveat for either one of those e-readers is that the local device more or less sucks. Even though the builders stay updating it, it is a actual paintings in development; as of the final time I checked it out, it best introduced two font possible choices, could not reliably show pictures embedded in books, and lacked fundamental textual content styling like daring and italics. Fortuitously, an enormous on-line group has sprung up across the instrument, and there are a couple of crowdsourced choices for changing the firmware—and the method is really easy, somebody who can plug in a USB cable into their laptop can do it.
The most productive identified of those exchange running techniques is named CrossPoint, and as soon as it is put in, those Xteink gadgets will do principally the entirety a reader may just ask for. You’ll be able to transfer fonts, set up new ones, exchange your lock display wallpaper (or use the quilt of the e book you are studying), tweak your margins, remap the buttons, set a nap timer, automate web page turns, sync with the KOreader studying app, and extra.
There are these days a number of CrossPoint diversifications (“forks”) that supply quite other options, so I recommend poking across the r/xteinkereader Reddit to seek out one who fits you—whether or not it is CrossPet, which provides a Tamagotchi-like digital rooster recreation for your reader, or this one, which is loaded with choices to trace your studying stats.
Flashing your Xteink instrument with CrossPoint could not be more effective: You simply plug it into your laptop and level your browser at this website online. Click on the “Flash firmware” button and select your instrument—both the X3 or the X4. It must robotically load the brand new running machine and reset itself. It’s possible you’ll want to choose your e-reader from a pop-up menu earlier than it is going to set up, and from time to time you need to repeat the process a few times to get it to “take,” however total, it is a lovely painless revel in.
The place to shop for the Xteink X3
Whilst the Xteink X4 has been to be had on Amazon for a couple of months, the X3 best popped up there up to now week. Ordering from Amazon is most definitely a greater guess than purchasing immediately from Xteink, as you’ll be able to have the benefit of Amazon’s fast supply, and a extra beneficiant go back coverage must you run into any problems (Xteink’s guaranty is an insignificant 10 days, and consumers on Reddit have reported lengthy transport delays).
If you wish to avoid wasting money, you’ll be able to additionally pick out up each gadgets from AliExpress, which is form of like China’s solution to Amazon Market; you’ll be able to most probably pay a little bit much less to your e-reader, whichever you like, and it is more likely to send with the Chinese language model of the firmware put in (you’ll be able to exchange the show language within the menu settings). Then again, there is a primary problem right here: There is a just right probability those gadgets will send in a “locked” state that forestalls you from flashing other firmware with out leaping via further hoops. In step with a commentary from the corporate, all Xteink gadgets offered at the global marketplace (i.e., no longer to be used in China) will probably be “developer editions” and is probably not locked—and this must come with all X3s and X4s offered on Amazon.
