The Xteink X4 is a wallet-sized e-reader from China that has attracted a cult following of tinkerers online for its no-frills charm and crisp 4.3-inch display. When I reviewed it last year, I had a few minor complaints, but "too big" definitely wasn't one of them—not surprising, given I was already an adherent of the phone-sized Boox Palma 2. But now that I have tested out the Xteink X3, the X4's even tinier brother, I can't help but wonder if there exists an e-reader so small I won't prefer it.
Xteink X3 E-reader $79.03 at Xteink Shop Now Shop Now $79.03 at Xteink Xteink X4 $69.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $69.00 at Amazon SEE -1 MOREThe X3 has a 3.7-inch screen measured diagonally, which makes it about 14% smaller than the X4; including the bezels, it has an overall footprint that's roughly 20% smaller. When we're already talking about a device so small my wife rolled her eyes when I showed it to her, you'd think that downsizing would make it unusable—but after spending a few weeks using it to read one of the longest novels on my TBR (the 900-page 1985 western Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry), not only did I find myself preferring the X3 for being even less obtrusive to carry around with me, I didn't think the loss of screen space affected the reading experience at all. (Here's where I note that if the idea of reading on such a cramped device makes you anxious, consider the possibility that this device is just not for you, or that the people who like it are nuts, or both.)
Credit: Joel CunninghamSizing differences between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
The X4 measures 114 x 69 x 5.98 mm and weighs 74g, while the X3 is 98 x 64 x 4.98 mm and 55g. Both are small and light to be sure, but at about the size of a credit card, the X3 is so tiny, you might forget you're carrying it around. It's worth noting that while early images of the X4 advertised it could magnetically attach to the back of your phone (ostensibly so you'd flip your phone over to read instead of doomscrolling), it was too big to do so securely on my iPhone 14. The X3, on the other hand, is sized just right, though I still don't think I'd ever actually do this, as the connection is loose enough that the e-reader slides off the back of the phone when I take it out of my pocket.)
Credit: Joel CunninghamReadability differences between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
I prefer to read in portrait mode, and find both devices show enough text that I don't feel like I'm turning pages too often. If you instead read in landscape mode, here's a comparison showing how much text fits on a page (with a large-print trade paperback for scale):
Credit: Joel CunninghamDifferences in buttons between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
While both have physical buttons, the X3 has one extra, adding discreet up/down (or is that left/right?) buttons on either side of the device, rather than the X4's single dual-function rocker on the right-hand side. This improves usability somewhat, as every once in a while I would put pressure on the wrong side of the X4's page-turn button, and move back a page instead of forward a page. (Both devices have the same dual-purpose buttons on the bottom front bezel, however, and they will still take a little while to get used to.) I also like that the power/sleep button has been moved to the top, where I'm less likely to press it accidentally.
Storage differences between the Xteink X3 and Xteink X4
Neither device has internal storage, opting instead for a card slot that accepts flash cards up to 512GB, which is enough to hold all of your books unless you are a major league digital hoarder.
Installing the CrossPoint firmware is a must, whichever you choose
The big caveat for both of these e-readers is that the native software kind of sucks. Though the developers keep updating it, as of this writing it only offers two font choices, it can't display images, and text styling like bold and italics are a no-go. Luckily, a huge online community has sprung up around the device, and there are multiple crowdsourced options for replacing the firmware—and the process is so easy, anyone who can plug in a USB cable into their computer can do it.
There are currently a bunch of CrossPoint variations ("forks") that offer slightly different features, so poke around to find one that suits you—whether it's CrossPet, which adds a Tamagotchi-like virtual chicken game to your reader; or this one, which is loaded with options to track your reading stats.
Where to buy the Xteink X3
While the Xteink X4 has been available on Amazon for a few weeks, if you want the X3, you'll need to order directly from Xteink. If you want to save some cash, you can also pick up both devices from AliExpress, which is sort of like China's answer to Amazon Marketplace; you'll likely pay a bit less for the device, and it's likely to ship with the Chinese version of the firmware installed—but that's fine, because you're going to flash CrossPoint anyway, right?
Hence then, the article about i m reading a 900 page novel on an e reader the size of my library card and it s going great was published today ( ) and is available on Live Hacker ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( I'm Reading a 900-Page Novel on an E-Reader the Size of My Library Card, and It's Going Great )
Also on site :