8 ms·

Tiny $70 Xteink X3 e-reader

215 points by samizdis 10d ago

nkurz 10d ago
https://archive.is/Lb2Bf https://archive.is/Lb2Bf
KeplerBoy 10d ago
"In a sense, it is that. Xteink sounds less like a real brand name than the kind of garbled text you’ll find in AI-slop memes." I think it's a great name. To me it reads like "extend e-ink", crazy how perception can be so different.
- kulor 10d ago
  I read it as a play on extinct & ink
- Ekaros 10d ago
  XT eink. For whatever XT has ever stand for with computers. XT has been around for ages with various meanings. So it is rather tech letters for me.
- gegtik 10d ago
  ive been hearing x-stink
justnoice 10d ago
The CEO of this brand once portrayed himself as a first-time entrepreneur, launching a small batch of products at extremely low prices, then raising prices and quickly rolling out new models. But earlier this year, one of his competitors publicly presented a series of allegations that were subsequently substantiated, including that he had actually been involved in multiple previous ventures with a highly questionable track record, and that some of the products' key specifications had been seriously misrepresented. The company later apologized for the inaccurate specifications, claiming that the misinformation was unintentional. However, it offered neither a recall nor any meaningful compensation to affected customers. Soon afterward, the brand launched yet another new product, only for customers to discover after receiving it that the promotional images were also misleading. At the end of the day, this brand's business model seems to be little more than assembling cheap off-the-shelf components and using aggressive social media marketing to convince people that they need its products.
- shinycode 10d ago
  X4 pro launched in July and I could buy it for 89€ now it costs 119€. And I bought the x3 in June for 50€ now it’s 89€. So yeah that’s the strategy
  - hasperdi 10d ago
    I suggest buying M5Stack PaperMono instead. It's an esp32 board with an eink screen and a battery. I bet someone will make an open source firmware for it
    - embedding-shape 10d ago
      > M5Stack PaperMono Is that actually a product intended for consumers though? Looks more like a development board than a product for "normies", like the Xteink stuff.
      - JustFinishedBSG 10d ago
        They still run the same thirdparty firmware. Seeed Studio has the reTerminal Sticky too. M5 device are cool but they do have that, as ugly as it is useful, functional diagram printed on the back...
- boxed 10d ago
  Ok... but.. are there other companies with comparable consumer level products? If so, can you name some?
  - jacek 10d ago
    Onyx Boox will be releasing one soon ("Picco" AFAIR?). But they break GPL.
    - postepowanieadm 10d ago
      I own Palm and software is a mess.
jacek 10d ago
I got an X4 (slightly larger model) less than 2 months ago and I already finished 9 books on it. It is always in my pocket and I started reaching for it instead of my phone during tiny moments of boredom. Sometimes it's just a few paragraphs when I'm waiting for a train, but it is also surprisingly good for longer reading sessions.
- yoavm 10d ago
  Same experience with the X4 Pro. Can wholeheartedly recommend. It feels like reading became much more accessible to me all of a sudden.
  - trymas 10d ago
    It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C. They have added backlight, but still left charging/connecting to proprietary magnetic adapter.
    - embedding-shape 10d ago
      > It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C. Yeah, the connector they've made is absolutely bananas, wonder what they were thinking? Was there a 3rd-party docking ecosystem they were expecting to be spawned by this, or something? The magnetic connector by itself makes no sense, unless I severely misunderstand how it's supposed to be used in practice.
      - 3eb7988a1663 10d ago
        I saw a claim that the connector was to reduce the thickness of the device. Terrible trade-off. I do not want a marginally smaller book if it means I have to worry about losing a proprietary cable.
        prollings 9d ago
        It isn't proprietary.
TMWNN 10d ago
I'm tempted, despite being wedded to Kindle. I can search for and borrow a library bok on Libby in 30 seconds, then have it automagically appear on my Kindle; I doubt the experience is so seamless with Crosspoint, and of course the progress won't sync. But otherwise, an e-ink screen on the back of my phone is something I have always wanted. Hey Amazon, how about a Kindle counterpart to this?
- samizdis 10d ago
  Going back a decade or so, I bought a Yotaphone 2, which had a full-sized e-ink display on the rear. Fantastic for any text reading/writing in bright sunlight (I was based in Sydney at the time). Yotaphone is now dead, but I really don't understand why the idea hasn't been taken up by other makers. Review (overly lengthy) from 2014: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/phones/yotaphone-2-review https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/phones/yotaphone-...
  - Cthulhu_ 10d ago
    > but I really don't understand why the idea hasn't been taken up by other makers. Same, but now that it quickly looks like smartphone-sized e-ink readers are the 2026 hardware trend, I can see them making a comeback now. Or as an "outside" screen on foldable phones.
- jacek 10d ago
  - Libby on Xteink: https://www.theverge.com/tech/976390/xteink-x3-x4-x4-pro-e-reader-libby-plug-ins-drm-crosspoint-reader https://www.theverge.com/tech/976390/xteink-x3-x4-x4-pro-e-r... - There's KOReader sync in Crosspoint But the biggest issue with Kindle is the vendor lock-in and the books don't even belong to you. There were many cases of Amazon deleting books with no refunds. That's why I am not getting any Kindle ever again.
  - akho 10d ago
    I've owned several Kindles, and haven't bought a single ebook from Amazon.
thunderbong 10d ago
https://archive.is/Lb2Bf https://archive.is/Lb2Bf
fooker 10d ago
I got one and it is a neat fun device. And it's pretty hackable, with an open firmware, bunch of community involvement in developing third party alternatives for the default software. I have even vibecoded random software to run on it.
- deleted 10d ago
  [deleted]
NoboruWataya 10d ago
I had only heard about these things on HN, and thought they were primarily popular as a toy for people to hack on. I didn't realise they are so popular amongst "normies". I have no current need for one as I am happy with my cheap second hand Kobo but it's great that they exist, especially with the open source alternative firmware. Hopefully they don't clamp down on that in future.
- frantathefranta 10d ago
  TikTok (ironically) has a bunch of anti-brainrot content, I think the Xteinks got popular that way. Super easy to use and even flash to 3rd party firmware.
hexmiles 10d ago
The fact that you can use it one-handed is the killer feature for me, both for reading and as a generic dashboard/remote control for stuff in my home.
- puzzlingcaptcha 10d ago
  It's great on public transport too.
55555 10d ago
I have one and am very happy with it. I vibe coded a bilingual ebook reader, which is what I bought it for. However a Kindle is a way better deal and is much better as far as screen quality etc. But I like how small my XTEINK X4 Pro is.
- addandsubtract 10d ago
  I would be interested in a bilingual ebook reader. Do you have a repo for the project?
catchnear4321 10d ago
After the x4 was marketed as having MagSafe that would work with a phone, while the magnet doesn’t align with MagSafe. Neat little esp32 eReader with the standard bs around the company.
_0xdd 10d ago
I really didn't think I would, but I really enjoy using my X4. The only thing I wish it had was a backlight. It seems Xteink is hellbent on including pogo connectors on all their other models, and that the original X4 with USB-C was an unfortunate outlier in this regard.
- alturp 10d ago
  I actually really like not having backlight, forcing me to use non-directional yellow light during the night reading sessions. I wish all electronic screen were like that.
  - embedding-shape 10d ago
    The backlight of the X4 Pro have configurable "warmth" of the backlight, works pretty good even in completely dark rooms and much better than the eye-train you get from traditional screens.
  - jauntywundrkind 10d ago
    I generally disbelieve in anti-features. You can just... not use the backlight! It's frustrating when people insist on a lack of features. There's no practical downside to backlights being an option.
deleted 10d ago
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wahnfrieden 10d ago
The X3 seems nicest as it’s smallest and a good deal lighter.
haunter 10d ago
$70 in the US, 90€ ($105) in Europe :3 https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x3 https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x3 I guess West Coast shipping from China is much cheaper
- embedding-shape 10d ago
  Hmm, at the end of July I bought a X4 Pro from them for 88.95 EUR (shipping to Spain included), seems they've raised prices since then? Lucky me I suppose.
- myrmidon 10d ago
  There is no way shipping alone explains the difference. I would suspect the majority comes from higher (VAT) tax level; possibly also some indirect overhead because Europe is a more segmented market, and needs a bunch of localization at the very least.
  - ac29 10d ago
    US prices dont include taxes, EU prices do
    - graemep 10d ago
      £70 ($94) in the UK so is US prices exclude sales taxes $14 is VAT, what about the other $10? GP says its $105 in the EU. I do not think VAT is high enough to explain that anywhere in the EU?
      - lrae 10d ago
        > GP says its $105 in the EU It's not? Maybe there is some dynamic pricing going on, but it's 79 Euro (~91.75 USD). Which would be close to the US price with Hungary's VAT (27%, which is I think the highest). Then add stuff like copying levy onto it and you'll land on roughly the same price, even with a lower average VAT. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_copying_levy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_copying_levy Maybe they compared the model with the base to the one without? The one with base is more expensive in the US too though.
HexDecOctBin 10d ago
Mine's screen cracked in a month. Didn't drop it or mishandled it. Be aware that is it much more fragile that a Kindle.
- palache 10d ago
  Mine cracked the other day as well in my pocket! Fairly surprised and sad as now I have to finish those books on my smartphone
- embedding-shape 10d ago
  Maybe that's why they include some sort of screen protector with the device? At least they did with the X4 Pro, did you get that with the X3 as well, and were you using it while it cracked if so? I've been having mine in a beach bag I'm not too careful with, for about two months, which goes out with me when I swim in the sea, without using the included screen protector, and still no scratches or cracks in mine.
  - HexDecOctBin 10d ago
    Yeah, I had the protector. It cracked from inside, so I guess maybe the force came from the other side.
nakedrobot2 10d ago
but no usb-c port? Nooooooooooo! NOBODY asked for a proprietary pogo pin usb cable. shame on you!!!!
- stigi 10d ago
  I charge mine every 3-4 months... (almost never). Was expecting this to be a problem for me, but it turned out I do not care.
- hardenedmetapod 10d ago
  The X4 is the same thing with a USB C port. Love mine.
  - Oanid 10d ago
    The X4 was discontinued and replaced by the "X4 Classic". It does not have USB C.
- prollings 9d ago
  Not proprietary.
maxglute 10d ago
I guess more sensible than Yotaphone. Still annoyed we got 3rd screen on foldables before eink. E: also waiting for this formfactor to get optimaxxed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL05zoHBGwA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL05zoHBGwA Little eink dogtag that flips through one sentence at time.
amelius 10d ago
This could never have been invented in SV. You cannot show large bright colored advertisements on it!
BSOhealth 10d ago
it's hard to complain about this device, but here are my random ones: 1. yes, it is small and wonderful to one-handed read with, but _everyone_ around you notices you have a unique, small ereader in your palm. granted, maybe just reflects my self-consciousness. but until these are more ubiquitous, you'll be getting looks on the train/plane. 2. the whole "stick it on the back of your phone" idea is super silly and a bit of a gimmick at least: 2a. I don't want to make my expensive phone larger by volume and weight 2b. I do struggle to not fool around with my phone, and simply using "the back of the phone" is about the equivalent of being given a cigarette upside down as if that will stop me from smoking it. 3. after 14 years of Kindles, it's obvious how much better the eink tech is in premium devices (not a game changer at all, at most a nitpick) yeah it's a super great device. I got it when prices were a bit lower a few months ago and it was a no-brainer. if you're really into reading and being thrifty/resourceful to get your ebooks, I'd check it out.
- embedding-shape 10d ago
  > 1. yes, it is small and wonderful to one-handed read with, but _everyone_ around you notices you have a unique, small ereader in your palm. granted, maybe just reflects my self-consciousness. but until these are more ubiquitous, you'll be getting looks on the train/plane. This is a new complaint I haven't heard, might I ask where in the world this is? I use my X4 Pro out in cafes, beaches and general public in Spain, and I don't think a single person have glanced in my direction because of it. But I also see plenty of other people with their e-readers too, some larger and some smaller, but no one is giving them any looks or side-eyes, it's relatively common here at least.
  - BSOhealth 10d ago
    I travel a lot for work and life. NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, etc. to be clear, these are not "side eyes" in a negative sense. it's more just peoples' curiosity, which can be a bit uncomfortable if you notice that type of thing while you're trying to read. I think speaks to the fact that we all expect some normalization around iphones/pixels/kindles/switches in terms of the "expected" devices people might have in-hand.
joshkojoras 10d ago
I recently got an X3 (on a sale £58 with shipping) after deciding between X4 and X3 for a long time and I think I made the right decision. I fits perfectly in my wallet and I don't think about it. Carrying my regular 6" ereader around feels like I'm taking something with me, it feels like extra weight. I have to either carry it in my hand which is inconvenient or take a rucksack with me when I go for a walk. X3 is so small that it doesn't feel like I'm carrying anything, but it's always there. So when I go for a long walk and decide to take a short break I take it out and read for 10-20min. Same on my commute, I replaced reading the news on my phone with reading for 25-30min on the train. First think I did was flash Crosspoint on it, because it's lightweight and preserves the battery much like original OS. Battery feels great, I love that it's not touchscreen. Buttons take getting used to, but overall I'm impressed!
scorxn 10d ago
My cynical take: these cute little things still end up in landfills, and my 5+ year old phone runs the kindle app just fine.
- onemoresoop 10d ago
  Your phone will also end up in landfills. It’s true that you can stretch it longer but eventially it’ll probably end up there.
  - gegtik 10d ago
    his argument is he already has the phone and doesn't feel the need to contribute two devices to the landfill instead of one
BeetleB 10d ago
As someone who actually started reading more with bigger screen sizes[1], this article is really not jiving with me and is light on details. I still don't understand why I'd prefer this to a Kobo. Other than the size, what is the benefit? [1] I read more with a 7" than a 6" and even more with an 8".
- embedding-shape 10d ago
  The size is pretty much the selling point compared to other e-readers. The screen quality isn't great, it doesn't have more features than the rest or anything else, but it's tiny and I can lie down on my back holding my arm up in the air for longer than with my phone, so reading at the beach is comfortable for example. If you like bigger devices, you won't like any of the Xteink devices I think.
- x1ph0z 10d ago
  Then the device is not for you. I have this and it’s amazing for me. Being able to pocket this and whip it out during moments I would’ve doom scrolled has been great for my reading.
  - BeetleB 10d ago
    I think for ebooks this isn't for me. I like to focus when reading ebooks so quickly whipping it out when I have only a few minutes (the way I do with my phone) isn't for me. I'm wondering what other uses this could have other than reading books. As an example, it would be great if I'm reading an article that I could just send a screen reader version of the article to this. Not sure how easy it is.
    - mikestew 9d ago
      I’ve not used it, but the HN commenter seems to like it for sending articles: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49598789 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49598789
- jauntywundrkind 10d ago
croon 10d ago
Much to my wife's chagrin I never have anything on my wishlist since I'm not a huge fan of (receiving) gifts in general, but I did put the X4 on my list a couple of months ago, since my decade+ old Kobo is getting long in the tooth, and I don't enjoy the manual syncing. I wanted it mostly due to this: https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader Has anyone tried it out?
- stigi 10d ago
  Crosspoint is the way to go, imho. Together with the CrossX app (https://github.com/jtvargas/crosspoint-app https://github.com/jtvargas/crosspoint-app) it's so nice! Nicely supports sending web articles as epubs onto the X3/X4 device (I use X3).
- neal_jones 10d ago
  Yea, that’s what I use. My only complaint about the reader is no backlight. Everything else is great.
- danscan 10d ago
  I use [Crossink](https://crossink.dev https://crossink.dev) and I absolutely love it. Have it both the X4 Pro and the X3, and surprisingly (to me) I prefer the x3 for everything but reading in the dark
  - embedding-shape 10d ago
    > both the X4 Pro and the X3, and surprisingly (to me) I prefer the x3 for everything but reading in the dark Interesting, as a new owner (CrossPoint user though) who loves my X4 Pro so far, it makes me wonder what the X3 is better at for you?
  - barnabee 9d ago
    Agreed. The X3 just feels kind of magically small, and well proportioned in a way the X4 Pro doesn’t. Both have their merits though and I’ll be keeping both, because in some situations a backlight is near-essential for me.
relativeadv 10d ago
for me, the killer feature of the little xteink readers is _no touchscreen_. This is important because you can hold the device as you would a paper book, thumb on the page itself without accidentally turning the page or triggering some menu system.
roger_ 10d ago
Surprised I never heard of this! Looking to pick one up, any recommendations on X4 Pro vs Classic?
- hexmiles 10d ago
  The Pro has a nice backlight that is useful when reading at night. The only downside is the lack of a USB-C port, so you have to use their magnetic dongle to charge. Also, if you want one, I recommend buying from the official site to avoid getting one with the firmware locked (there may be a way to unlock it, but I'm not sure). Lastly, look at the competition: I'm happy with my X4 Pro, but there are a couple of others with different feature sets that are still compatible with Crosspoint and may be of interest if you want to use it for more than just reading.
  - roger_ 10d ago
    Thanks! I’m looking for something that pushes portability without compromising too much core usability. For example I can live without a touch screen if it means high quality physical buttons.
- ashenke 10d ago
  Justs a heads up, people are comparing with the X4 and not the X4 classic. The classic is a brand new one released today, and it replaces the X4 on the official store. It doesn't have a USB connector either, so it's all pogo connectors now
- timw4mail 9d ago
  For the Pro, you will want a 3d-printed dock, or a really thin USB-C cable to use with the pogo pin dongle.
xdertz 10d ago
As someone that mainly switched to e-readers because of bad eyes, this is way too small. Even the bigger x4 seems too small for the font size I feel comfortable with.
jwrallie 10d ago
I love my Xteink. It’s so small and lightweight I can take it anywhere. It runs fully on free software, and I paid close to nothing for the Chinese version on AliExpress. I’ll use a bigger e-reader at home, and carry it to continue reading my book on the go. I have it for close to two months and charged it only once. My favorite thing is that simply having it nearby showing the book cover is an invitation to read.
sieve 10d ago
You have to wonder why someone did not think of this form factor sooner. I have the original X4 and have been enjoying it a lot. My Kobo mostly lies unused because I do most of my reading in bed and the X4, even with a clip-on light, is so much easier on the wrists. Dual core Arm CPUs, Android etc used by mainstream readers are a serious waste of resources. A microcontroller paired with the SD card is more than enough. And CrossPoint is a gem! The list of pros is long and the device recommends itself. But there is one con that you must watch out for: The screen is delicate. I love cases but hate screen protectors, and tend to use my devices with care. So it has worked out fairly well for me the past few months. But you might have a different experience.
28304283409234 10d ago
I'm addicted to my X3. I hope they make a smartish-phone this size at some point. Just smart enough to run bank-apps, qrcode scanning.
hardenedmetapod 10d ago
Not me reading the Hackernews front page RSS on an X4 coming across this post. Great little device. There's a custom firmware that adds some nice to haves including the RSS reader. Downloads the linked HTML page for offline viewing and formats it nicely. https://github.com/zakerytclarke/crosspoint-reader-apps https://github.com/zakerytclarke/crosspoint-reader-apps
oybng 10d ago
Anyone know why these have aliased fonts? My ancient Kobo with similar ppi has perfect rendering
deleted 10d ago
[deleted]
NDlurker 10d ago
I have the x3, x4, and x4 pro. They're all great
jauntywundrkind 10d ago
I appreciate the attempt here! > In other words, we need more gadgets like the Xteink: cheap, simple, and customizable. > The best thing about the Xteink is not any one feature. It’s that this tiny e-reader is fun in a way so few gadgets are anymore. Despite all our advances, the consumer-electronics landscape of 2026 is predictable and banal. Our laptops, smartphones, and tablets are thinner and more powerful than ever, but that feels like a weak substitute for innovation. Especially in the LLM age, devices that define the experience totally are, imo, under massive threat. The innovation is us. The innovation is being allowed to have fun with your device. The innovation is a return to Right of First Sale principles, a vibrant modifiability, an enduring FAFO-ness. Humanity longs for a return to something that lets human spirit and ingenuity in, and we have all new super powerful agents to help us explore & make our own new outposts on the frontier with. This article does a more direct job than I would expect to see in print talking to something at least a bit as such.
ranger207 10d ago
Where are people getting DRM free epubs for theirs? I have a bunch that I've gotten through various Humble Bundles that I'm working through now, but I'm wondering where I should go if I want to look for something specific
- akman 10d ago
  https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/index.html https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/index.html
- ane 10d ago
  If you want to buy them legitimately, there aren't a lot of options Illegitimately, there are tons of options
- themadturk 10d ago
  What many people do is buy them from places like Kobo.com, download them, and remove the DRM (usually via plugins to the Calibre library management software). Kindle books have become impossible to download, but other online bookstores aren't as restrictive.
- financetechbro 10d ago
  Anna’s archive
- dublinben 10d ago
  https://standardebooks.org/ https://standardebooks.org/
- Gareth321 10d ago
  Shelfmark (+ Grimmory/Calibre) is magic.
NDlurker 10d ago
New version of the X4 if you don't care about the light. It does have the pogo pins most people seem to hate. https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4-classic-pocket-ereader https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4-classic-pocket-ere...
- fluidcruft 10d ago
  I like the idea of a small light ereader but credit card sized is just... way too small. I really don't get it. Like people miss the old small phones because it did discouraged reading and phones became the size they are now because this size seems to balance portability and reading.
  - NDlurker 10d ago
    It's fine reading on the X3. I just use the large font size. The text on HN on my phone is WAY smaller
burnto 10d ago
I have an x3 and love it. It’s so small I don’t think twice about taking it everywhere. I have the crosspoint firmware on it, and I sync it with calibre.
larme 10d ago
I have an X4 and use it as a writer deck with microslate firmware[0] I heavily customized the source code with llm so I can use emacs style keybindings and search. [0]: https://github.com/Josh-writes/microslate-firmware https://github.com/Josh-writes/microslate-firmware
- armenarmen 10d ago
  I ws considering something like this, do you have any video of it in action?
  - larme 10d ago
    Also I think there's a youtuber who shoot some videos about using microslate.
  - larme 10d ago
    I don't have video on my hand but a photo is here: https://files.catbox.moe/z8suof.jpg https://files.catbox.moe/z8suof.jpg There are some cons: - some users report text gets blurred out if used under direct sunlight for a long time. I don't use it outside so I'm not affected - sometimes the BLE connection is sketchy. I'm not sure if it's hardware or software problem - the editor features are very barebone so you may want to customize your own version - beware there are unflashable edition of this device
- schaefer 10d ago
  I hadn't heard about microslate. Thank you.
  - larme 10d ago
    I list some cons in a sibling comment. You may want to check if you plan to buy one
    - schaefer 10d ago
      I already own one - I've been reading with crosspoint.
stevesimmons 10d ago
I got the X4 just before my summer holiday and put "War and Peace" from Project Gutenberg on it as my only ebook. Five weeks later, I'd finished it, all 360 chapters, 1400 pages. Apart from finding War and Peace a totally engrossing read, one of my favourite books of all time, I give the credit to the X4... I'd never have finished it if reading the physical book (too large to carry around) nor if reading on my phone (too many distractions). So thank you xteink!
goodpoint 10d ago
way too expensive
peri-cl 10d ago
There are 10+ comments here praising a third-party firmware, so I think it deserves mention that this might (?) no longer be possible for new devices, https://www.theverge.com/tech/921552/xteink-x3-x4-e-reader-third-party-crosspoint-firmware-usb-blocked https://www.theverge.com/tech/921552/xteink-x3-x4-e-reader-t... > "But now buyers report Xteink is blocking [CrossPoint Reader], which might depend on where you live and where you purchase its devices. [...] Instead of being offered a replacement, they received a statement they shared to Reddit explaining that recently shipped devices from Xteink now come with firmware flashing disabled."
- eli 10d ago
  Nah it’s fine. They committed to international devices being unlocked, and the firmware lock is trivial to bypass anyway.
- pyreko 10d ago
  IIRC this is mainly ones sold by third-party vendors in China? Like if you buy from AliExpress. EDIT: if you look at the Reddit post the article references it even says: > !!!!!THIS ONLY APPLIES TO LATEST CHINESE STOCK AND NOT THOSE THAT ARE BOUGHT FROM XTEINK.COM!!!!! Also note that CrossPoint has a way to bypass said flash block if you look at their repo or website: - https://crosspointreader.com/unlock https://crosspointreader.com/unlock - https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader#usb-locked-devices-xteink-unlocker https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader#usb-l...
  - nosrepa 10d ago
    But yet, xteink is a partner at https://freeink.org/ https://freeink.org/
  - pyreko 10d ago
    I can also anecdotally say that the x3 I bought from Amazon in like June (seller was xteink official store) was flashable without any bypass needed.
    - 10d ago
1thrasher 10d ago
Obviously Amazon missed the mark with their Fire phone years ago, but I recall thinking I would have bought one if they had embedded their Kindle reader on back. This is a nice, but still inelegant solution. I want an iPhone Air with one of these integrated on the back and easily manage the device via a phone app.
OroPla 10d ago
I'm regularly charmed by the idea of e-readers, especially really small ones like this. But then I remember I already have a phone where I can comfortably read on for hours with an aggressive blue-light filter that turns the entire screen red and remind myself on the awful refresh rate that comes with e-ink that goes counter to me scrolling as I read line by line.
beej71 10d ago
I have an X4. I've read about 15 books on it so far, and I carry it everywhere. I used to read books on my phone (Moon Reader), but it wasn't as compelling. I think it was a combination of the screen and the fact that I'm used to using the phone for other things. But I can't really pin it down more than that. Things I like: Flashable firmware. If they disable this capability, I wouldn't buy it. I'm using Crosspoint Reader ATM. Lightweight. Good battery life. You can get through a novel on a charge. USB-C. They sell models with a proprietary connector, best avoided. If they drop USB-C, I wouldn't buy it. I'm not carrying another stupid proprietary charger on trips where I could lose it and render my device useless, and one that's certainly not cheap and trivial to replace. uSD slot. Plenty of room. Crosspoint integration with Calibre. Crosspoint lots of features. They just added offline dictionary support but I haven't tried it. Narrow screen. It's like a newspaper column. Somehow I enjoy this more than a wide screen. Lanyard attachment point. I don't use this, but it's a neat detail they added to the case. Magnetic phone attachment. Sticks to the back of my pixel 9 case, or whatever metal you have handy. Things I'm neutral about: My model doesn't have a backlight. I make up for it with a front light. :) Sometimes I miss it, but other times I feel like books were meant to be read without a backlight. Low resolution screen. It's visibly lower than my other e-readers, for sure. Get it under a loupe and... wow. But I don't mind it. No keyboard. There is a software keyboard, but lack of touch makes it clunky to use. Luckily my needs are rare. Only DRM-free EPUB support (and TXT). This is HackerNews; you know what you're doing. Things I don't like: There's a weird quirk where a screen that's exposed to direct sunlight won't render correctly after a page turn. It fades. I have to turn the screen into shadow before turning the page. The case is weak. I don't want a cover for it because I stick it to my phone, but dropping the device will result in divots on the case edges. It generally feels plastic. The buttons (which haven't failed me) don't have a solid feel to their action. Xteink folks, if you're listening: Allow firmware flashing, or I won't recommend it. Keep USB-C, or I won't recommend it. These are two of your killer features for a device that is a little bit overpriced.
- trueno 10d ago
  i have the 3 and the 4 and i just want to say small devices own iphone 13 mini for life xteink for life this is an ode to me in second grade thinking calculator watches were the pinnacle of human achievement. I LIKE SMOL AND FUNCTIONAL THINGS!
ololobus 10d ago
I got X3 because it was on the ads all over my internet. My idea was that I can stick it to my phone when I go out or commute and don’t want to bring my standard Kobo reader, so I can read more instead of doomscrolling So far, my impression: - it’s a fun piece of tech, but it’s also a super simple one. Idk the price of a eink screen like that, but it’s basically a screen + esp32 + battery, so $70 might be a bit too much, and just includes all the ads budget, which is clearly huge - CrossPoint firmware is neat and OSS, so you can for and DIY whatever you can imagine - it’s still so much more convenient to read on a bit bigger reader. Even my Kobo Clara BW with Koreader, which is still quite portable, has way better UX. And it’s just about x2 more expensive - magnet is not strong enough to sit firmly on my phone - I got a epub rendering issue with one of my books - I don’t read a lot on it and still prefer my Kobo, so it failed the main objective for me personally - it’s still fun how much esp32 in such a tiny enclosure can do :)
gigatexal 10d ago
FWIW my wife found one via some ads or a YouTuber idk but she loves hers. Uses it 10x more than her kindle.
m-p-3 10d ago
The only reasons I bought the X4 once I saw the ads - the price - the custom firmwares Once they kinda dropped the ball by making it harder to flash if bought elsewhere than their store, I started looking elsewhere. If I had to buy a similar device right now, I'd choose the reTerminal Sticky since it starts with customizability in mind.
steve-atx-7600 10d ago
I want an e-reader that can handle narration. Actually immersive reading - https://storyteller-platform.dev https://storyteller-platform.dev - without paying Amazon. This is possible on a kindle running KOReader, but it's very slow loading for large books (have the last generation Oasis). I ordered a Boox 7 because it should have a lot more raw power (CPU, ram). Plus it has physical buttons. Why would you want to put oil from your hands on the screen you read on? If you're into small screens, you probably have a phone in your pocket that you could run an e-reader app on.
VariousPrograms 10d ago
If you don't need an ebook gadget right now, Boox is about to release the Boox Picco as a direct competitor to this. It's in between the X3 and X4 in size, but has a front-lit and potentially higher resolution screen. I have an X4 Pro (219 ppi) and I use 14pt font because letter widths are pretty uneven at 12pt and on a screen this small I wish I could use my preferred tiny font size. Other than that, it's great.
toddgruben 10d ago
For $50, I like this one even better. https://www.seeedstudio.com/reTerminal-Sticky-p-6861.html https://www.seeedstudio.com/reTerminal-Sticky-p-6861.html. Seems to scratch a similar itch
juiceland 10d ago
It’s interesting that this device is having a moment. It’s not, strictly speaking, new; I had something called “Oaxis InkCase” around 2013. It was designed to accompany a smart phone.
dfnfkdn 9d ago
[dead]
pronik 9d ago
Every time people talk about e-readers I have to wonder whether I'm an outlier. I've been e-reading for over 20 years now. I've been reading on my Nokia 6230 by using an ebook to J2ME converter. I've been reading with AlReader on my HTC Tytn. I'm still reading on my Android phone now. Sure, e-ink is superior, but it's a bit like with cameras: the best one is the one you have on you, not the one you left at home -- and I personally won't be hauling two devices if I can avoid it. If you want to read on the go, you'll find a way that fits you.

215 points by samizdis 10d ago

nkurz 10d ago

https://archive.is/Lb2Bf https://archive.is/Lb2Bf

"In a sense, it is that. Xteink sounds less like a real brand name than the kind of garbled text you’ll find in AI-slop memes." I think it's a great name. To me it reads like "extend e-ink", crazy how perception can be so different.

kulor 10d ago
I read it as a play on extinct & ink
Ekaros 10d ago
XT eink. For whatever XT has ever stand for with computers. XT has been around for ages with various meanings. So it is rather tech letters for me.
gegtik 10d ago
ive been hearing x-stink

justnoice 10d ago

The CEO of this brand once portrayed himself as a first-time entrepreneur, launching a small batch of products at extremely low prices, then raising prices and quickly rolling out new models. But earlier this year, one of his competitors publicly presented a series of allegations that were subsequently substantiated, including that he had actually been involved in multiple previous ventures with a highly questionable track record, and that some of the products' key specifications had been seriously misrepresented. The company later apologized for the inaccurate specifications, claiming that the misinformation was unintentional. However, it offered neither a recall nor any meaningful compensation to affected customers. Soon afterward, the brand launched yet another new product, only for customers to discover after receiving it that the promotional images were also misleading. At the end of the day, this brand's business model seems to be little more than assembling cheap off-the-shelf components and using aggressive social media marketing to convince people that they need its products.

shinycode 10d ago
X4 pro launched in July and I could buy it for 89€ now it costs 119€. And I bought the x3 in June for 50€ now it’s 89€. So yeah that’s the strategy
- hasperdi 10d ago
  I suggest buying M5Stack PaperMono instead. It's an esp32 board with an eink screen and a battery. I bet someone will make an open source firmware for it
  - embedding-shape 10d ago
    > M5Stack PaperMono Is that actually a product intended for consumers though? Looks more like a development board than a product for "normies", like the Xteink stuff.
    - JustFinishedBSG 10d ago
      They still run the same thirdparty firmware. Seeed Studio has the reTerminal Sticky too. M5 device are cool but they do have that, as ugly as it is useful, functional diagram printed on the back...
boxed 10d ago
Ok... but.. are there other companies with comparable consumer level products? If so, can you name some?
- jacek 10d ago
  Onyx Boox will be releasing one soon ("Picco" AFAIR?). But they break GPL.
  - postepowanieadm 10d ago
    I own Palm and software is a mess.

jacek 10d ago

I got an X4 (slightly larger model) less than 2 months ago and I already finished 9 books on it. It is always in my pocket and I started reaching for it instead of my phone during tiny moments of boredom. Sometimes it's just a few paragraphs when I'm waiting for a train, but it is also surprisingly good for longer reading sessions.

yoavm 10d ago
Same experience with the X4 Pro. Can wholeheartedly recommend. It feels like reading became much more accessible to me all of a sudden.
- trymas 10d ago
  It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C. They have added backlight, but still left charging/connecting to proprietary magnetic adapter.
  - embedding-shape 10d ago
    > It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C. Yeah, the connector they've made is absolutely bananas, wonder what they were thinking? Was there a 3rd-party docking ecosystem they were expecting to be spawned by this, or something? The magnetic connector by itself makes no sense, unless I severely misunderstand how it's supposed to be used in practice.
    - 3eb7988a1663 10d ago
      I saw a claim that the connector was to reduce the thickness of the device. Terrible trade-off. I do not want a marginally smaller book if it means I have to worry about losing a proprietary cable.
      - prollings 9d ago
        It isn't proprietary.

TMWNN 10d ago

I'm tempted, despite being wedded to Kindle. I can search for and borrow a library bok on Libby in 30 seconds, then have it automagically appear on my Kindle; I doubt the experience is so seamless with Crosspoint, and of course the progress won't sync. But otherwise, an e-ink screen on the back of my phone is something I have always wanted. Hey Amazon, how about a Kindle counterpart to this?

samizdis 10d ago
Going back a decade or so, I bought a Yotaphone 2, which had a full-sized e-ink display on the rear. Fantastic for any text reading/writing in bright sunlight (I was based in Sydney at the time). Yotaphone is now dead, but I really don't understand why the idea hasn't been taken up by other makers. Review (overly lengthy) from 2014: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/phones/yotaphone-2-review https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/phones/yotaphone-...
- Cthulhu_ 10d ago
  > but I really don't understand why the idea hasn't been taken up by other makers. Same, but now that it quickly looks like smartphone-sized e-ink readers are the 2026 hardware trend, I can see them making a comeback now. Or as an "outside" screen on foldable phones.
jacek 10d ago
- Libby on Xteink: https://www.theverge.com/tech/976390/xteink-x3-x4-x4-pro-e-reader-libby-plug-ins-drm-crosspoint-reader https://www.theverge.com/tech/976390/xteink-x3-x4-x4-pro-e-r... - There's KOReader sync in Crosspoint But the biggest issue with Kindle is the vendor lock-in and the books don't even belong to you. There were many cases of Amazon deleting books with no refunds. That's why I am not getting any Kindle ever again.
- akho 10d ago
  I've owned several Kindles, and haven't bought a single ebook from Amazon.

thunderbong 10d ago

https://archive.is/Lb2Bf https://archive.is/Lb2Bf

fooker 10d ago

I got one and it is a neat fun device. And it's pretty hackable, with an open firmware, bunch of community involvement in developing third party alternatives for the default software. I have even vibecoded random software to run on it.

deleted 10d ago
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NoboruWataya 10d ago

I had only heard about these things on HN, and thought they were primarily popular as a toy for people to hack on. I didn't realise they are so popular amongst "normies". I have no current need for one as I am happy with my cheap second hand Kobo but it's great that they exist, especially with the open source alternative firmware. Hopefully they don't clamp down on that in future.

frantathefranta 10d ago
TikTok (ironically) has a bunch of anti-brainrot content, I think the Xteinks got popular that way. Super easy to use and even flash to 3rd party firmware.

hexmiles 10d ago

The fact that you can use it one-handed is the killer feature for me, both for reading and as a generic dashboard/remote control for stuff in my home.

puzzlingcaptcha 10d ago
It's great on public transport too.

55555 10d ago

I have one and am very happy with it. I vibe coded a bilingual ebook reader, which is what I bought it for. However a Kindle is a way better deal and is much better as far as screen quality etc. But I like how small my XTEINK X4 Pro is.

addandsubtract 10d ago
I would be interested in a bilingual ebook reader. Do you have a repo for the project?

catchnear4321 10d ago

After the x4 was marketed as having MagSafe that would work with a phone, while the magnet doesn’t align with MagSafe. Neat little esp32 eReader with the standard bs around the company.

_0xdd 10d ago

I really didn't think I would, but I really enjoy using my X4. The only thing I wish it had was a backlight. It seems Xteink is hellbent on including pogo connectors on all their other models, and that the original X4 with USB-C was an unfortunate outlier in this regard.

alturp 10d ago
I actually really like not having backlight, forcing me to use non-directional yellow light during the night reading sessions. I wish all electronic screen were like that.
- embedding-shape 10d ago
  The backlight of the X4 Pro have configurable "warmth" of the backlight, works pretty good even in completely dark rooms and much better than the eye-train you get from traditional screens.
- jauntywundrkind 10d ago
  I generally disbelieve in anti-features. You can just... not use the backlight! It's frustrating when people insist on a lack of features. There's no practical downside to backlights being an option.

deleted 10d ago

[deleted]

wahnfrieden 10d ago

The X3 seems nicest as it’s smallest and a good deal lighter.

haunter 10d ago

$70 in the US, 90€ ($105) in Europe :3 https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x3 https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x3 I guess West Coast shipping from China is much cheaper

embedding-shape 10d ago
Hmm, at the end of July I bought a X4 Pro from them for 88.95 EUR (shipping to Spain included), seems they've raised prices since then? Lucky me I suppose.
myrmidon 10d ago
There is no way shipping alone explains the difference. I would suspect the majority comes from higher (VAT) tax level; possibly also some indirect overhead because Europe is a more segmented market, and needs a bunch of localization at the very least.
- ac29 10d ago
  US prices dont include taxes, EU prices do
  - graemep 10d ago
    £70 ($94) in the UK so is US prices exclude sales taxes $14 is VAT, what about the other $10? GP says its $105 in the EU. I do not think VAT is high enough to explain that anywhere in the EU?
    - lrae 10d ago
      > GP says its $105 in the EU It's not? Maybe there is some dynamic pricing going on, but it's 79 Euro (~91.75 USD). Which would be close to the US price with Hungary's VAT (27%, which is I think the highest). Then add stuff like copying levy onto it and you'll land on roughly the same price, even with a lower average VAT. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_copying_levy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_copying_levy Maybe they compared the model with the base to the one without? The one with base is more expensive in the US too though.

HexDecOctBin 10d ago

Mine's screen cracked in a month. Didn't drop it or mishandled it. Be aware that is it much more fragile that a Kindle.

palache 10d ago
Mine cracked the other day as well in my pocket! Fairly surprised and sad as now I have to finish those books on my smartphone
embedding-shape 10d ago
Maybe that's why they include some sort of screen protector with the device? At least they did with the X4 Pro, did you get that with the X3 as well, and were you using it while it cracked if so? I've been having mine in a beach bag I'm not too careful with, for about two months, which goes out with me when I swim in the sea, without using the included screen protector, and still no scratches or cracks in mine.
- HexDecOctBin 10d ago
  Yeah, I had the protector. It cracked from inside, so I guess maybe the force came from the other side.

nakedrobot2 10d ago

but no usb-c port? Nooooooooooo! NOBODY asked for a proprietary pogo pin usb cable. shame on you!!!!

stigi 10d ago
I charge mine every 3-4 months... (almost never). Was expecting this to be a problem for me, but it turned out I do not care.
hardenedmetapod 10d ago
The X4 is the same thing with a USB C port. Love mine.
- Oanid 10d ago
  The X4 was discontinued and replaced by the "X4 Classic". It does not have USB C.
prollings 9d ago
Not proprietary.

maxglute 10d ago

I guess more sensible than Yotaphone. Still annoyed we got 3rd screen on foldables before eink. E: also waiting for this formfactor to get optimaxxed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL05zoHBGwA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL05zoHBGwA Little eink dogtag that flips through one sentence at time.

amelius 10d ago

This could never have been invented in SV. You cannot show large bright colored advertisements on it!

BSOhealth 10d ago

it's hard to complain about this device, but here are my random ones: 1. yes, it is small and wonderful to one-handed read with, but _everyone_ around you notices you have a unique, small ereader in your palm. granted, maybe just reflects my self-consciousness. but until these are more ubiquitous, you'll be getting looks on the train/plane. 2. the whole "stick it on the back of your phone" idea is super silly and a bit of a gimmick at least: 2a. I don't want to make my expensive phone larger by volume and weight 2b. I do struggle to not fool around with my phone, and simply using "the back of the phone" is about the equivalent of being given a cigarette upside down as if that will stop me from smoking it. 3. after 14 years of Kindles, it's obvious how much better the eink tech is in premium devices (not a game changer at all, at most a nitpick) yeah it's a super great device. I got it when prices were a bit lower a few months ago and it was a no-brainer. if you're really into reading and being thrifty/resourceful to get your ebooks, I'd check it out.

embedding-shape 10d ago
> 1. yes, it is small and wonderful to one-handed read with, but _everyone_ around you notices you have a unique, small ereader in your palm. granted, maybe just reflects my self-consciousness. but until these are more ubiquitous, you'll be getting looks on the train/plane. This is a new complaint I haven't heard, might I ask where in the world this is? I use my X4 Pro out in cafes, beaches and general public in Spain, and I don't think a single person have glanced in my direction because of it. But I also see plenty of other people with their e-readers too, some larger and some smaller, but no one is giving them any looks or side-eyes, it's relatively common here at least.
- BSOhealth 10d ago
  I travel a lot for work and life. NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, etc. to be clear, these are not "side eyes" in a negative sense. it's more just peoples' curiosity, which can be a bit uncomfortable if you notice that type of thing while you're trying to read. I think speaks to the fact that we all expect some normalization around iphones/pixels/kindles/switches in terms of the "expected" devices people might have in-hand.

joshkojoras 10d ago

I recently got an X3 (on a sale £58 with shipping) after deciding between X4 and X3 for a long time and I think I made the right decision. I fits perfectly in my wallet and I don't think about it. Carrying my regular 6" ereader around feels like I'm taking something with me, it feels like extra weight. I have to either carry it in my hand which is inconvenient or take a rucksack with me when I go for a walk. X3 is so small that it doesn't feel like I'm carrying anything, but it's always there. So when I go for a long walk and decide to take a short break I take it out and read for 10-20min. Same on my commute, I replaced reading the news on my phone with reading for 25-30min on the train. First think I did was flash Crosspoint on it, because it's lightweight and preserves the battery much like original OS. Battery feels great, I love that it's not touchscreen. Buttons take getting used to, but overall I'm impressed!

scorxn 10d ago

My cynical take: these cute little things still end up in landfills, and my 5+ year old phone runs the kindle app just fine.

onemoresoop 10d ago
Your phone will also end up in landfills. It’s true that you can stretch it longer but eventially it’ll probably end up there.
- gegtik 10d ago
  his argument is he already has the phone and doesn't feel the need to contribute two devices to the landfill instead of one

BeetleB 10d ago

As someone who actually started reading more with bigger screen sizes[1], this article is really not jiving with me and is light on details. I still don't understand why I'd prefer this to a Kobo. Other than the size, what is the benefit? [1] I read more with a 7" than a 6" and even more with an 8".

embedding-shape 10d ago
The size is pretty much the selling point compared to other e-readers. The screen quality isn't great, it doesn't have more features than the rest or anything else, but it's tiny and I can lie down on my back holding my arm up in the air for longer than with my phone, so reading at the beach is comfortable for example. If you like bigger devices, you won't like any of the Xteink devices I think.
x1ph0z 10d ago
Then the device is not for you. I have this and it’s amazing for me. Being able to pocket this and whip it out during moments I would’ve doom scrolled has been great for my reading.
- BeetleB 10d ago
  I think for ebooks this isn't for me. I like to focus when reading ebooks so quickly whipping it out when I have only a few minutes (the way I do with my phone) isn't for me. I'm wondering what other uses this could have other than reading books. As an example, it would be great if I'm reading an article that I could just send a screen reader version of the article to this. Not sure how easy it is.
  - mikestew 9d ago
    I’ve not used it, but the HN commenter seems to like it for sending articles: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49598789 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49598789
jauntywundrkind 10d ago

croon 10d ago

Much to my wife's chagrin I never have anything on my wishlist since I'm not a huge fan of (receiving) gifts in general, but I did put the X4 on my list a couple of months ago, since my decade+ old Kobo is getting long in the tooth, and I don't enjoy the manual syncing. I wanted it mostly due to this: https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader Has anyone tried it out?

stigi 10d ago
Crosspoint is the way to go, imho. Together with the CrossX app (https://github.com/jtvargas/crosspoint-app https://github.com/jtvargas/crosspoint-app) it's so nice! Nicely supports sending web articles as epubs onto the X3/X4 device (I use X3).
neal_jones 10d ago
Yea, that’s what I use. My only complaint about the reader is no backlight. Everything else is great.
danscan 10d ago
I use [Crossink](https://crossink.dev https://crossink.dev) and I absolutely love it. Have it both the X4 Pro and the X3, and surprisingly (to me) I prefer the x3 for everything but reading in the dark
- embedding-shape 10d ago
  > both the X4 Pro and the X3, and surprisingly (to me) I prefer the x3 for everything but reading in the dark Interesting, as a new owner (CrossPoint user though) who loves my X4 Pro so far, it makes me wonder what the X3 is better at for you?
- barnabee 9d ago
  Agreed. The X3 just feels kind of magically small, and well proportioned in a way the X4 Pro doesn’t. Both have their merits though and I’ll be keeping both, because in some situations a backlight is near-essential for me.

relativeadv 10d ago

for me, the killer feature of the little xteink readers is _no touchscreen_. This is important because you can hold the device as you would a paper book, thumb on the page itself without accidentally turning the page or triggering some menu system.

roger_ 10d ago

Surprised I never heard of this! Looking to pick one up, any recommendations on X4 Pro vs Classic?

hexmiles 10d ago
The Pro has a nice backlight that is useful when reading at night. The only downside is the lack of a USB-C port, so you have to use their magnetic dongle to charge. Also, if you want one, I recommend buying from the official site to avoid getting one with the firmware locked (there may be a way to unlock it, but I'm not sure). Lastly, look at the competition: I'm happy with my X4 Pro, but there are a couple of others with different feature sets that are still compatible with Crosspoint and may be of interest if you want to use it for more than just reading.
- roger_ 10d ago
  Thanks! I’m looking for something that pushes portability without compromising too much core usability. For example I can live without a touch screen if it means high quality physical buttons.
ashenke 10d ago
Justs a heads up, people are comparing with the X4 and not the X4 classic. The classic is a brand new one released today, and it replaces the X4 on the official store. It doesn't have a USB connector either, so it's all pogo connectors now
timw4mail 9d ago
For the Pro, you will want a 3d-printed dock, or a really thin USB-C cable to use with the pogo pin dongle.

xdertz 10d ago

As someone that mainly switched to e-readers because of bad eyes, this is way too small. Even the bigger x4 seems too small for the font size I feel comfortable with.

jwrallie 10d ago

I love my Xteink. It’s so small and lightweight I can take it anywhere. It runs fully on free software, and I paid close to nothing for the Chinese version on AliExpress. I’ll use a bigger e-reader at home, and carry it to continue reading my book on the go. I have it for close to two months and charged it only once. My favorite thing is that simply having it nearby showing the book cover is an invitation to read.

sieve 10d ago

You have to wonder why someone did not think of this form factor sooner. I have the original X4 and have been enjoying it a lot. My Kobo mostly lies unused because I do most of my reading in bed and the X4, even with a clip-on light, is so much easier on the wrists. Dual core Arm CPUs, Android etc used by mainstream readers are a serious waste of resources. A microcontroller paired with the SD card is more than enough. And CrossPoint is a gem! The list of pros is long and the device recommends itself. But there is one con that you must watch out for: The screen is delicate. I love cases but hate screen protectors, and tend to use my devices with care. So it has worked out fairly well for me the past few months. But you might have a different experience.

28304283409234 10d ago

I'm addicted to my X3. I hope they make a smartish-phone this size at some point. Just smart enough to run bank-apps, qrcode scanning.

hardenedmetapod 10d ago

Not me reading the Hackernews front page RSS on an X4 coming across this post. Great little device. There's a custom firmware that adds some nice to haves including the RSS reader. Downloads the linked HTML page for offline viewing and formats it nicely. https://github.com/zakerytclarke/crosspoint-reader-apps https://github.com/zakerytclarke/crosspoint-reader-apps

oybng 10d ago

Anyone know why these have aliased fonts? My ancient Kobo with similar ppi has perfect rendering

deleted 10d ago

[deleted]

NDlurker 10d ago

I have the x3, x4, and x4 pro. They're all great

jauntywundrkind 10d ago

I appreciate the attempt here! > In other words, we need more gadgets like the Xteink: cheap, simple, and customizable. > The best thing about the Xteink is not any one feature. It’s that this tiny e-reader is fun in a way so few gadgets are anymore. Despite all our advances, the consumer-electronics landscape of 2026 is predictable and banal. Our laptops, smartphones, and tablets are thinner and more powerful than ever, but that feels like a weak substitute for innovation. Especially in the LLM age, devices that define the experience totally are, imo, under massive threat. The innovation is us. The innovation is being allowed to have fun with your device. The innovation is a return to Right of First Sale principles, a vibrant modifiability, an enduring FAFO-ness. Humanity longs for a return to something that lets human spirit and ingenuity in, and we have all new super powerful agents to help us explore & make our own new outposts on the frontier with. This article does a more direct job than I would expect to see in print talking to something at least a bit as such.

ranger207 10d ago

Where are people getting DRM free epubs for theirs? I have a bunch that I've gotten through various Humble Bundles that I'm working through now, but I'm wondering where I should go if I want to look for something specific

akman 10d ago
https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/index.html https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/index.html
ane 10d ago
If you want to buy them legitimately, there aren't a lot of options Illegitimately, there are tons of options
themadturk 10d ago
What many people do is buy them from places like Kobo.com, download them, and remove the DRM (usually via plugins to the Calibre library management software). Kindle books have become impossible to download, but other online bookstores aren't as restrictive.
financetechbro 10d ago
Anna’s archive
dublinben 10d ago
https://standardebooks.org/ https://standardebooks.org/
Gareth321 10d ago
Shelfmark (+ Grimmory/Calibre) is magic.

NDlurker 10d ago

New version of the X4 if you don't care about the light. It does have the pogo pins most people seem to hate. https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4-classic-pocket-ereader https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4-classic-pocket-ere...

fluidcruft 10d ago
I like the idea of a small light ereader but credit card sized is just... way too small. I really don't get it. Like people miss the old small phones because it did discouraged reading and phones became the size they are now because this size seems to balance portability and reading.
- NDlurker 10d ago
  It's fine reading on the X3. I just use the large font size. The text on HN on my phone is WAY smaller

burnto 10d ago

I have an x3 and love it. It’s so small I don’t think twice about taking it everywhere. I have the crosspoint firmware on it, and I sync it with calibre.

larme 10d ago

I have an X4 and use it as a writer deck with microslate firmware[0] I heavily customized the source code with llm so I can use emacs style keybindings and search. [0]: https://github.com/Josh-writes/microslate-firmware https://github.com/Josh-writes/microslate-firmware

armenarmen 10d ago
I ws considering something like this, do you have any video of it in action?
- larme 10d ago
  Also I think there's a youtuber who shoot some videos about using microslate.
- larme 10d ago
  I don't have video on my hand but a photo is here: https://files.catbox.moe/z8suof.jpg https://files.catbox.moe/z8suof.jpg There are some cons: - some users report text gets blurred out if used under direct sunlight for a long time. I don't use it outside so I'm not affected - sometimes the BLE connection is sketchy. I'm not sure if it's hardware or software problem - the editor features are very barebone so you may want to customize your own version - beware there are unflashable edition of this device
schaefer 10d ago
I hadn't heard about microslate. Thank you.
- larme 10d ago
  I list some cons in a sibling comment. You may want to check if you plan to buy one
  - schaefer 10d ago
    I already own one - I've been reading with crosspoint.

stevesimmons 10d ago

I got the X4 just before my summer holiday and put "War and Peace" from Project Gutenberg on it as my only ebook. Five weeks later, I'd finished it, all 360 chapters, 1400 pages. Apart from finding War and Peace a totally engrossing read, one of my favourite books of all time, I give the credit to the X4... I'd never have finished it if reading the physical book (too large to carry around) nor if reading on my phone (too many distractions). So thank you xteink!

goodpoint 10d ago

way too expensive

peri-cl 10d ago

There are 10+ comments here praising a third-party firmware, so I think it deserves mention that this might (?) no longer be possible for new devices, https://www.theverge.com/tech/921552/xteink-x3-x4-e-reader-third-party-crosspoint-firmware-usb-blocked https://www.theverge.com/tech/921552/xteink-x3-x4-e-reader-t... > "But now buyers report Xteink is blocking [CrossPoint Reader], which might depend on where you live and where you purchase its devices. [...] Instead of being offered a replacement, they received a statement they shared to Reddit explaining that recently shipped devices from Xteink now come with firmware flashing disabled."

eli 10d ago
Nah it’s fine. They committed to international devices being unlocked, and the firmware lock is trivial to bypass anyway.
pyreko 10d ago
IIRC this is mainly ones sold by third-party vendors in China? Like if you buy from AliExpress. EDIT: if you look at the Reddit post the article references it even says: > !!!!!THIS ONLY APPLIES TO LATEST CHINESE STOCK AND NOT THOSE THAT ARE BOUGHT FROM XTEINK.COM!!!!! Also note that CrossPoint has a way to bypass said flash block if you look at their repo or website: - https://crosspointreader.com/unlock https://crosspointreader.com/unlock - https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader#usb-locked-devices-xteink-unlocker https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader#usb-l...
- nosrepa 10d ago
  But yet, xteink is a partner at https://freeink.org/ https://freeink.org/
- pyreko 10d ago
  I can also anecdotally say that the x3 I bought from Amazon in like June (seller was xteink official store) was flashable without any bypass needed.
  - 10d ago

1thrasher 10d ago

Obviously Amazon missed the mark with their Fire phone years ago, but I recall thinking I would have bought one if they had embedded their Kindle reader on back. This is a nice, but still inelegant solution. I want an iPhone Air with one of these integrated on the back and easily manage the device via a phone app.

OroPla 10d ago

I'm regularly charmed by the idea of e-readers, especially really small ones like this. But then I remember I already have a phone where I can comfortably read on for hours with an aggressive blue-light filter that turns the entire screen red and remind myself on the awful refresh rate that comes with e-ink that goes counter to me scrolling as I read line by line.

beej71 10d ago

I have an X4. I've read about 15 books on it so far, and I carry it everywhere. I used to read books on my phone (Moon Reader), but it wasn't as compelling. I think it was a combination of the screen and the fact that I'm used to using the phone for other things. But I can't really pin it down more than that. Things I like: Flashable firmware. If they disable this capability, I wouldn't buy it. I'm using Crosspoint Reader ATM. Lightweight. Good battery life. You can get through a novel on a charge. USB-C. They sell models with a proprietary connector, best avoided. If they drop USB-C, I wouldn't buy it. I'm not carrying another stupid proprietary charger on trips where I could lose it and render my device useless, and one that's certainly not cheap and trivial to replace. uSD slot. Plenty of room. Crosspoint integration with Calibre. Crosspoint lots of features. They just added offline dictionary support but I haven't tried it. Narrow screen. It's like a newspaper column. Somehow I enjoy this more than a wide screen. Lanyard attachment point. I don't use this, but it's a neat detail they added to the case. Magnetic phone attachment. Sticks to the back of my pixel 9 case, or whatever metal you have handy. Things I'm neutral about: My model doesn't have a backlight. I make up for it with a front light. :) Sometimes I miss it, but other times I feel like books were meant to be read without a backlight. Low resolution screen. It's visibly lower than my other e-readers, for sure. Get it under a loupe and... wow. But I don't mind it. No keyboard. There is a software keyboard, but lack of touch makes it clunky to use. Luckily my needs are rare. Only DRM-free EPUB support (and TXT). This is HackerNews; you know what you're doing. Things I don't like: There's a weird quirk where a screen that's exposed to direct sunlight won't render correctly after a page turn. It fades. I have to turn the screen into shadow before turning the page. The case is weak. I don't want a cover for it because I stick it to my phone, but dropping the device will result in divots on the case edges. It generally feels plastic. The buttons (which haven't failed me) don't have a solid feel to their action. Xteink folks, if you're listening: Allow firmware flashing, or I won't recommend it. Keep USB-C, or I won't recommend it. These are two of your killer features for a device that is a little bit overpriced.

trueno 10d ago
i have the 3 and the 4 and i just want to say small devices own iphone 13 mini for life xteink for life this is an ode to me in second grade thinking calculator watches were the pinnacle of human achievement. I LIKE SMOL AND FUNCTIONAL THINGS!

ololobus 10d ago

I got X3 because it was on the ads all over my internet. My idea was that I can stick it to my phone when I go out or commute and don’t want to bring my standard Kobo reader, so I can read more instead of doomscrolling So far, my impression: - it’s a fun piece of tech, but it’s also a super simple one. Idk the price of a eink screen like that, but it’s basically a screen + esp32 + battery, so $70 might be a bit too much, and just includes all the ads budget, which is clearly huge - CrossPoint firmware is neat and OSS, so you can for and DIY whatever you can imagine - it’s still so much more convenient to read on a bit bigger reader. Even my Kobo Clara BW with Koreader, which is still quite portable, has way better UX. And it’s just about x2 more expensive - magnet is not strong enough to sit firmly on my phone - I got a epub rendering issue with one of my books - I don’t read a lot on it and still prefer my Kobo, so it failed the main objective for me personally - it’s still fun how much esp32 in such a tiny enclosure can do :)

gigatexal 10d ago

FWIW my wife found one via some ads or a YouTuber idk but she loves hers. Uses it 10x more than her kindle.

m-p-3 10d ago

The only reasons I bought the X4 once I saw the ads - the price - the custom firmwares Once they kinda dropped the ball by making it harder to flash if bought elsewhere than their store, I started looking elsewhere. If I had to buy a similar device right now, I'd choose the reTerminal Sticky since it starts with customizability in mind.

steve-atx-7600 10d ago

I want an e-reader that can handle narration. Actually immersive reading - https://storyteller-platform.dev https://storyteller-platform.dev - without paying Amazon. This is possible on a kindle running KOReader, but it's very slow loading for large books (have the last generation Oasis). I ordered a Boox 7 because it should have a lot more raw power (CPU, ram). Plus it has physical buttons. Why would you want to put oil from your hands on the screen you read on? If you're into small screens, you probably have a phone in your pocket that you could run an e-reader app on.

VariousPrograms 10d ago

If you don't need an ebook gadget right now, Boox is about to release the Boox Picco as a direct competitor to this. It's in between the X3 and X4 in size, but has a front-lit and potentially higher resolution screen. I have an X4 Pro (219 ppi) and I use 14pt font because letter widths are pretty uneven at 12pt and on a screen this small I wish I could use my preferred tiny font size. Other than that, it's great.

toddgruben 10d ago

For $50, I like this one even better. https://www.seeedstudio.com/reTerminal-Sticky-p-6861.html https://www.seeedstudio.com/reTerminal-Sticky-p-6861.html. Seems to scratch a similar itch

juiceland 10d ago

It’s interesting that this device is having a moment. It’s not, strictly speaking, new; I had something called “Oaxis InkCase” around 2013. It was designed to accompany a smart phone.

dfnfkdn 9d ago

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pronik 9d ago

Every time people talk about e-readers I have to wonder whether I'm an outlier. I've been e-reading for over 20 years now. I've been reading on my Nokia 6230 by using an ebook to J2ME converter. I've been reading with AlReader on my HTC Tytn. I'm still reading on my Android phone now. Sure, e-ink is superior, but it's a bit like with cameras: the best one is the one you have on you, not the one you left at home -- and I personally won't be hauling two devices if I can avoid it. If you want to read on the go, you'll find a way that fits you.