Kindle, Boox, Bigme, Kobo, Meebook—and now Xteink? There are so many e-readers!
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| xteink x4 |
Xteink released its first model, the X4, last December 2025 for pre-orders, and it became available on the market around January. I was initially hesitant to get it because it has no front light and no touchscreen. However, it was creating a lot of buzz in our community, Kindle Buddies PH, so when I came across a good deal, I decided to buy it.
It’s so tiny!
With a size of 4.3 inches, it’s smaller than most smartphones we use today. The set comes with the unit, a screen protector, and an SD card. I immediately changed the OS to Crosspoint, which is widely used by Xteink users these days. I’ve heard that the stock firmware often messes up formatting, resulting in inconsistent line spacing and missing or poorly rendered text. Aside from that, there have been many developments made using the Crosspoint firmware, so I opted to switch.
I didn’t have high expectations for this e-reader, but testing it for reading really surprised me. I previously wrote my first impressions of it, but a lot of updates have been made to Crosspoint since then. One of the cons I mentioned before was the need to remove the microSD card, connect it to your computer, transfer files, and then insert it back into the e-reader. Now, there’s a workaround for that. Now with crosspoint, users can add books using Calibre web and hotspot. I created video guides of these here:
@kawaiimemos more than a month of using my xteink x4 and i finally decided to update to the latest crosspoint OS version + i tried adding books from opds / calibre web!!! i did a tutorial here. no more removing of sd card just to add books!!! #xteink #xteinkx4 #calibre #crosspoint #ereaders @XTEINK @xteink ♬ Sunlit Cafe - Cat Music Band
@kawaiimemos Another Crosspoint tutorial 📚✨ No need to remove your SD card. Here is another easy way to add books! Was this helpful? Are you using the stock OS or crosspoint? Do let me know in the comments. :) #crosspoint #xteink #xteinkx4 @XTEINK @xteink #ereaders #xteinktutorial ♬ WiTCHiLL - Water Returns to the Sky IV - The Wonderful Wizard of Oto
What I love most about it is the screen. It’s incredibly crisp. I even did a side by side comparison with my Kindle Paperwhite 5, and it really did not disappoint. It truly has a “paper-like” display, with a resolution of 220 PPI. And honestly, aside from its size, one of my favorite things about it is how cute it is. I really enjoy changing cases, skins, and inserts—it makes the whole reading experience feel more personal and fun. Because it’s so small, it’s easy to style and carry around, and it almost feels like an accessory as much as a gadget.
Conclusion
After two months of using the Xteink X4, I can say it really exceeded my expectations. I initially doubted it because of its limitations but it proved that a simple device can still deliver a great reading experience.
It’s not for everyone, especially if you prefer convenience and modern features. But if you’re someone who enjoys a more minimal, distraction-free reading experience—and loves customizing your devices—the Xteink X4 is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight (4.3-inch size)
- Crisp, paper-like display (220 PPI)
- Customizable with cases, skins, and inserts (very cute!)
- Crosspoint OS improves functionality and user experience
- Active community support and continuous updates
- Distraction-free reading experience
Cons
- No front light (not ideal for low-light reading)
- No touchscreen (navigation can feel limited at first)
- Requires setup (switching to Crosspoint is almost necessary)
- Smaller screen may not be for everyone
- Stock firmware has limitations
- Learning curve for file transfers
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