Xteink has quickly become a popular brand for low-cost tiny eReaders. The most recent model has caused quite a stir in the community, with a lot of people upset about two specific design choices. In fact, neither of them really matters that much.
The X4 Classic is the latest eReader from Xteink
The company has built up a loyal following
Xteink currently only has three eReader models available. The X3 is the smallest model at just 3.7 inches. The X4 Pro is a 4.3-inch model that adds a larger battery, touchscreen, and front light.
The latest model to be released is the X4 Classic. This is an updated version of the original X4 model. It has the same 4.3-inch size as the X4 Pro but lacks the touchscreen and front light. The original X4 model, which was highly popular, has been discontinued, and the X4 Classic has taken its place in the lineup.
All three eReaders are priced reasonably competitively, with the X4 Pro currently selling for $99, the X4 Classic for $79, and the X3 for $69. These low prices combined with the tiny form factors are what have made Xteink eReaders so popular.
People are seriously mad about the lack of USB-C
There are endless posts complaining about the use of pogo pins
Despite its loyal following, the release of the X4 Classic has caused a stir online. The main Xteink Reddit forums are awash with posts complaining about two key features of Xteink’s latest model.
By far the biggest complaint is that the X4 Classic has replaced the USB-C port of the original X4 with magnetic pogo pins for charging. People are literally posting that they will never buy another Xteink product so long as the company continues to use pogo pins instead of USB-C. Post after post is making the same point over and over again.
To me, this reaction seems crazy. The main argument is that you have to carry another charger around with you, when every other device uses USB-C these days. Except that you don’t.
The X4 Classic comes with a tiny magnetic charger adapter. This is what connects to the X4 Classic, and you need to plug the charging cable into that adapter. And guess what type of port this charging adapter has? That’s right, USB-C.
The adapter is small enough to fit in a keychain travel capsule, and you can attach it to your keyring if you’re worried about not having it when you need it. You can then charge the X4 Classic with any USB-C charger, just like the old X4.
The issue seems so crazy to me because these tiny eReaders can go for weeks between charges. I charge mine maybe once or twice a month at most, so even if you’re going away on vacation, if you give it a full charge before you go, you may not need to charge it at all until you get home again. Even if you lose the dongle, you can buy a replacement on Amazon with next-day delivery for under $10.
The lack of front light is also a consistent complaint
I’m yet to wish it had one
The other big complaint is that the X4 Classic doesn’t have a front light, unlike the more expensive X4 Pro. This is another problem that I just don’t understand.
Physical books have been around for thousands of years, and somehow, people have managed to read them just fine. I’ve not seen anyone saying that the one thing a paperback is really lacking is a front light. There are so many trivial ways to get enough light to read by, such as, I don’t know, turning on a light?
The best thing about these tiny eReaders is that you can carry them around and read when you have a few minutes spare, and I’ve yet to find a time when I wanted to read my X3 but couldn’t because it was too dark. Even if it was, I have a smartphone in my pocket that can act as a torch with a couple of swipes.
The best thing about Xteink’s eReaders is that they’re small and simple, with very little to go wrong. A front light just feels like adding in something that might break for very little benefit, and if you really want a 4.3-inch Xteink eReader with a front light, you can just buy the X4 Pro.
Xteink does appear to be listening
USB-C may be coming soon
To my mind, neither of these “huge concerns” is a problem at all. All the complaining seems to have worked, however. In a recent post on Reddit, Xteink confirmed it is listening and plans to introduce USB-C options for future devices.
Another post explained the rationale behind the switch to pogo pins, which allows Xteink to make devices even thinner and lighter. To my mind, an eReader that’s even easier to fit in my pocket and carry aroundis well worth the minuscule inconvenience of using a pogo pin charging cable.
- Brand
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Xteink
- Resolution
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219 PPI
- Storage
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16 GB microSD card, expandable up to 256 GB
- Connectivity
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Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Front Light
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No
The Xteink X4 Classic is the updated version of Xteink’s popular X4 model. It has a 4.3-inch display and weighs just 68g, making it perfect to carry with you wherever you go. Unlike the X4 Pro, there’s no touchscreen or front light, and it uses pogo pin charging rather than USB-C.
Xteink will soon have some competition
The popularity of Xteink’s eReaders hasn’t gone unnoticed. Other companies are starting to enter the space, with Boox announcing a new 4-inch Picco model that has USB-C charging, a touchscreen, and a front light, which starts at $99.99. More competition is surely good for consumers, but I hope Xteink keeps making low-cost, no-frills tiny eReaders, because not all of us care what charging ports they have.