This Little Device Could Be the Pocket E-Reader of My Dreams.
While I’ve been evangelizing for years about the Boox Palma 2 , a Chinese phone-sized e-reader running the open-source Android operating system, my preferences have shifted in recent months. I’m now obsessed with the tiny, slightly clunky, minimalist devices from Xteink, another Chinese tech company. And I’m far from alone—the Xteink subreddit is very crowded.
The $69 Xteink X4 has a 4.3-inch screen and such poor firmware that it wasn’t worth recommending until fans of the device created their own crowdsourced alternative . The $79 X3 (currently only available in the US directly from Xteink ) is essentially the same device, but even smaller— roughly the size of a credit card . Both options are great for portable use, but they have many drawbacks, including the ability to only download books without digital rights management (DRM) software, meaning your existing Kindle book library will be inaccessible.
But Xteink’s next device is just around the corner – it’s called the S4, and it looks like it can do everything I could ever want in a micro-e-reader.
What are the specifications of Xteink S4?
While we don’t have all the details yet, Xteink posted a pre-order announcement for the S4 this week that contained a few key clues:
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1400 mAh battery
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Thickness 6.98 mm
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weight 95 g
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Android 11 OS
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2 GB of RAM
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32 GB of memory
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Adjustable front headlight
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Physical buttons are located on the top and sides of the device.
Currently unknown: the exact processor, potential storage capacity (SD card support is rumored to have been dropped), and whether the device will have access to the Google Play Store. However—and again, I’m mostly basing this on rumors—it’s safe to expect that it will be able to download e-reader apps like Kobo and Kindle, meaning you’ll be able to use it to access existing e-book collections, as well as download your own DRM-free files.
How much will the Xteink S4 cost in the US?
Xteink hasn’t yet revealed its plans for releasing the S4 outside of China, meaning we don’t yet know when it’ll arrive in the US or how much it will cost. However, we do have some clues: the pre-order announcement in China included promotional pricing: 299 yuan (around $43) for customers who previously purchased the X3 or X4, and 339 yuan ($50) for those with “Cloud shareholder” status—whatever that means, an exclusive perk for Chinese buyers. Rumors on Reddit suggest a regular price “around 400 yuan,” which would be closer to $60.
But these are just guesses about the device’s price in China. What does this tell us about US prices? Well, we certainly won’t get the S4 for anywhere near $43—as noted, a relatively basic version of the X4 costs around $70 on Amazon, and it’s hard to imagine a device that adds Android, backlighting, and a touchscreen wouldn’t cost more. At the same time, the price can’t be too high, otherwise it would compete with the entry-level Kindle ($109), which has a larger screen, is part of Amazon’s robust ecosystem, and undoubtedly offers a better user experience out of the box.
A comparison of current prices for existing Xteink devices in China gives an idea of the potential price hike. The X4’s Chinese list price is 295 yuan, roughly equivalent to $43 in the US, but on Amazon, the X4 costs $69 , a 60% increase. The X3 costs 319 yuan, or about $46; in Xteink’s US store, the same device sells for $79, a 72% increase. Assuming a reciprocal price hike, this means that while the S4’s regular Chinese price is 400 yuan, it could be between $96 and $103 in the US. If I had to bet, I’d guess the S4 will cost $89—still significantly lower than the Kindle’s starting price of $109. But of course, this is just speculation until Xteink officially announces a US release.
When will Xteink S4 be available for sale?
It’s currently unclear when exactly the S4 will be available in China or the US. Pre-orders in China will open next week, on April 27th. Xteink hasn’t yet announced when the device will go on sale in China, let alone in the US (I’ve contacted their PR department and will update this post as soon as I learn more).
Who is the Xteink S4 for?
If rumors are true, the S4 will be a pocket-sized Android reader capable of running e-reading apps and offering all the most sought-after e-reader features—namely, a touchscreen, physical navigation buttons, and a temperature-adjustable backlight. If all this comes at a price under $100, it will instantly replace the Boox Palma 2 as my top recommendation for those who want a compact e-reader that’s not tied to a specific retailer—the Palma 2 costs around $250 in the US (it’s currently unavailable, meaning you’ll have to spend $400 on the Boox Palma 2 Pro , which is much closer to a full-featured smartphone than an e-reader). In short, while imported e-readers will always be a niche product, the S4 could be a real breakthrough for those who value portability and don’t want to buy all their books on Amazon. And judging by the number of times I’ve been stopped on the street and asked questions about my Xteink X3, there may be more of those people than you think.