This Quirky, Wallet-Sized E-Reader Is on Sale for Under $50 on Cyber Monday.
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For two years now , I’ve been obsessed with the Boox Palma for one reason: its phone-like form factor makes it easy to slip into my pocket and carry with me wherever I go. This allows me to read more and use my phone much less, which largely justifies the $270 price tag. So, of course, I’m intrigued to learn that a new, even more compact e-reader has hit the market for around $50, and even less with a Cyber Monday coupon .
Like the Palma, the Xteink X4 is a Chinese gadget with an e-ink display, similar to the one found in the Amazon Kindle. Unlike the Palma, which boasts advanced features like a temperature-controlled backlight, a camera, an Android-based operating system with access to the Google Play Store, and a huge amount of internal storage, the Xteink X4 is perhaps the most basic gadget imaginable. It has no backlight, no touchscreen, and the built-in software is so basic that calling it an operating system is an exaggeration. There’s no internal storage at all—instead, a 32GB SD card is included.
I love this.
The Xteink X4 is truly portable—even more so than phone-sized e-readers. It even has a magnetic ring on the back so you can attach it to the back of your phone if your phone is large enough (don’t be fooled by the photos on the Xteink website of it attached to an iPhone; it’s too big for my iPhone 14, and some research confirms it doesn’t fit the larger iPhone “Max” models either ). But even on its own—even with the tiny magnetic case (an extra $9)—you’ll barely notice the Xteink X4 in your pocket, so you’ll have no excuse not to carry it with you everywhere to read instead of scrolling.
Just the basics
Let me start with a big disclaimer: if you’re not at least a little tech-savvy and don’t enjoy tinkering with gadgets, the Xteink X4 isn’t for you. While it’s fairly easy to learn, there will still be a learning curve, as it focuses on basic functionality rather than usability. I think this is a good thing, but I regularly review e-ink devices, so I’m not exactly a newbie. (In any case, the r/xteinkereader community on Reddit is already thriving and can help you get started.)
So here are the details about this very simple device:
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4.3-inch e-ink display (somewhere between the size of a credit card and a standard iPhone)
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Resolution 220 dpi
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32GB of storage on microSD card (expandable up to 512GB)
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2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
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650mAh battery with USB-C charging (lasts about 14 days on a single charge)
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114 mm x 69 mm, thickness 5.9 mm
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Physical buttons for power, navigation, and page turning
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weight 74 g
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compatible with: TXT, EPUB, JPG, BMP files; BIN fonts
That’s it. Even among e-readers, the Xteink X4 is incredibly simple. Simple menus are navigated using physical buttons on the right side and bottom frame. It will take some time to get used to the functions of each button and understand what the various options in the e-reader settings and menus actually do . But once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize that if you want an e-reader that lets you read easily wherever you are, this is the one for you.
Easy, of course, once the books are on the device.
Starting
Actually loading books onto the Xteink X4 can be a bit of a challenge, starting with the fact that you’ll need a collection of DRM-free EPUB or TXT ebooks to read anything.
Only DRM-free e-books will work.
Many e-book sellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, typically only sell books with DRM (digital rights management)—anti-piracy software that ensures you can only read legally purchased books. While DRM can be removed from your files using tools available online, it’s technically illegal (stern frowning face emoji), so you’ll have to either buy DRM-free books or download open-source books from sources like Project Gutenberg .
Uploading files is a bit confusing.
Once you’ve prepared your files, you can transfer them to the device in several ways. You can remove the SD card, insert it into a card reader, and connect it to your computer (this didn’t work for me, as my work laptop doesn’t support external drives). You can also transfer files via Wi-Fi by connecting the Xteink X4 to a Wi-Fi network, setting it up as an access point, connecting it to your computer, and entering the URL in a browser window. This will open simple file sharing features, allowing you to download books, fonts, and images.
Reading experience
Once you’ve downloaded your books, the reading experience will exceed your expectations. The 220 ppi screen is crisp enough for comfortable reading, although, as with a paper book, there’s no backlight, so you’ll need to use your own (I recommend light bulbs, but sunlight is also great if you’re outside during the day).
Your books won’t look very good —there are only two pre-installed fonts, and at the time of writing, formatting options are extremely limited, so you won’t be able to see embedded images or use hyperlinks to jump from the table of contents to the desired chapter (there are workarounds in the e-book navigation menu, but they’re rather clunky). Furthermore, text styles such as paragraph indents, italics, bold, and underline aren’t yet supported, which may make parsing some books difficult. However, the developers promise to do their best to continue improving the program through over-the-air updates.
Who is the Xteink X4 for?
If you have a huge Kindle library or are the kind of person who just wants their tech to run smoothly, buy an Amazon e-reader. If you have a lot of books from different sources and want to read them all on one device, an Android-based e-reader like the Boox Palma 2 or Boox Go 7 will do just fine. But if you’re a minimalist or a techie who enjoys tinkering with weird gadgets, I think you’ll find this little one incredibly cute. Although I have about 10 different e-readers scattered around my house, and lately I’ve been reading everything on a $400 Boox Palma 2 Pro , all weekend I’ve found myself reaching for the Xteink X4 instead, and I’m already trying to figure out who I’m going to give one to for the holidays.
How to get the Xteink X4 discounted on Cyber Monday
The Xteink X4 is not currently sold on Amazon, but you can purchase it in two ways.
Order from AliExpress
AliExpress is an e-commerce platform that primarily sells products directly from China. It may seem strange, but it’s the official website and the only third-party retailer where you can currently order the Xteink X4 with shipping to the US. Just make sure the product you’re looking at matches the device you’re looking for and is offered at the best price—prices can sometimes vary slightly between sellers. If the price is too low, check the description to ensure you’re not just buying an accessory.
On Cyber Monday, AliExpress is offering a $10 discount coupon on orders over $50. This means you can currently buy the Xteink X4 for around $41 .
Order directly
If you prefer, you can also order it directly from Xteink , but you’ll likely pay $15-$20 more. You can also easily add inexpensive accessories to your order, including a magnetic case, a magnetic reading light, and screen protectors.
Does Amazon have Cyber Monday deals?
Yes, Amazon does have Cyber Monday sales, but the prices aren’t always accurate. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or consult guides like our blog on using a price tracker. And if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, make the most of it .
Which stores have the biggest sales on Cyber Monday?
With both big-box retailers and small businesses competing for Cyber Monday shoppers, you can expect sales at virtually every store until Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” discounts depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to be offered by large retailers that can afford lower prices, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our blog .
Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts rarely seen during the rest of the year. If you’re shopping or looking for gifts, now is the time to look for deals on essentials, especially tech , home goods , and fitness equipment . Of course, if you’re looking to save money, the best way to save is to buy nothing.