There's a quiet revolution happening in the world of e-readers, and it’s remarkably small. Forget the standard six-inch screens – a dedicated community is embracing devices you could easily mistake for a credit card. I stumbled into this world last year with the Xteink X4, a surprisingly capable little reader, but I never imagined things could get…smaller.
Enter the Xteink X3. Measuring just 3.7 inches diagonally, it’s a full 14% smaller than its already diminutive sibling. My wife’s initial reaction said it all – a raised eyebrow and a questioning glance. Yet, after weeks of immersing myself in Larry McMurtry’s sprawling western, *Lonesome Dove* (a hefty 900 pages!), I found myself reaching for the X3 more often. Its unobtrusiveness is a genuine advantage.
The size difference is significant. The X4 is 114 x 69 x 5.98 mm and weighs 74g, while the X3 shrinks down to 98 x 64 x 4.98 mm and a featherlight 55g. The X3 is so compact, it almost disappears in your pocket. Interestingly, the X4’s magnetic attachment feature, intended for sticking to the back of a phone, proved unreliable. The X3, however, fits securely, though the idea of reading off the back of my phone still feels…unnecessary.
Despite the reduced screen size, readability isn’t compromised. Both devices boast a 480x800 resolution, but the X3’s smaller screen actually results in a slightly sharper image at 250ppi compared to the X4’s 220ppi. The difference is subtle, but the text remains crisp and clear on both. I prefer reading in portrait mode, and both offer a comfortable amount of text per page.
Both e-readers share a 650 mAh battery, providing at least two weeks of reading on a single charge. However, the X3 takes a different approach to charging. Instead of USB-C, it utilizes pogo pins, requiring a specialized cable. While not a dealbreaker for me, it adds another cable to the collection. A USB-C adapter is available, but that just introduces another potential item to misplace.
The X3 refines the button layout. Dedicated page-turn buttons on either side replace the X4’s single rocker, minimizing accidental page flips. The power button has also been smartly relocated to the top, reducing accidental presses. These small changes contribute to a more intuitive user experience.
The X3 adds a gyroscope, intended for page turning via tilting. Unfortunately, I found it inconsistent and ultimately impractical. NFC support for wireless file transfers is also included, but I found Bluetooth or Wi-Fi equally convenient. Both devices rely on a microSD card for storage, accommodating up to 512GB – more than enough for even the most voracious reader.
Surprisingly, the X4 is currently priced lower at $69, while the X3 costs $10 more. This is likely due to the added features and the inclusion of the pogo charging cable. However, the real key to unlocking these devices’ potential lies elsewhere: custom firmware.
The native software on both Xteink readers is…basic. Limited font choices, no image support, and a lack of text styling are significant drawbacks. Fortunately, a vibrant online community has developed a solution: CrossPoint. This crowdsourced firmware transforms these devices into fully-featured e-readers.
With CrossPoint, you can customize fonts, install new ones, change your lock screen, adjust margins, remap buttons, set sleep timers, and even sync with the KOreader app. Variations of CrossPoint, like CrossPet (which includes a virtual chicken!) and others focused on reading statistics, offer even more personalization. Installing CrossPoint is remarkably simple – a straightforward process even for those unfamiliar with firmware flashing.
To get the X3, you’ll need to order directly from Xteink. AliExpress offers both models at potentially lower prices, but they typically ship with the Chinese firmware, which is easily remedied with CrossPoint. These tiny e-readers aren’t for everyone, but for those seeking a truly portable and customizable reading experience, they represent a compelling – and surprisingly powerful – option.
