I spent a month with the Xteink X4 Pro — and while I love this tiny $99 ereader, it won’t be replacing my ViWoods AiPaper Reader just yet

The Xteink X4 Pro is a tiny $99 ereader that was released in 2026, and I decided to give it a try after being impressed by the previous Xteink X4 model. At 111 x 69 x 5.95mm and 72g, the device is very slim and light, weighing almost nothing and fitting seamlessly to the back of my iPhone 16 Pro Max. Although it may seem fragile and exposed, I found it surprisingly durable.

However, the back of the phone isn't the ideal place for such an expensive device as it is quite exposed and might get damaged easily. The Xteink X4 Pro doesn't come with a strong flip cover as the magnets weren't strong enough to securely attach it to my phone while in a case. This means that if I drop my phone, the Xteink X4 Pro is liable to break.

The device has a fairly crisp 4.3-inch touchscreen with a capable front light, making it a pleasure to read books on. The battery seems long-lasting too, and it uses a proprietary charger instead of USB-C. However, the software experience is not ideal. Unlike other compact ereaders, this one runs Xteink's own operating system, which is not good.

The interface is ugly and clunky, making the device unpleasant to use. After a brief period of experimentation, I settled on CrossInk, but the lack of Android support means that you cannot directly use the Kindle or Kobo apps, and transferring DRM-free books can be a hassle. Overall, the Xteink X4 Pro is a great device for tech enthusiasts who enjoy configuring and customizing their ereaders, but it might not be the best choice for those who prefer a hassle-free experience, especially if they already have a library of Kindle books.