XTEINK X4: the 36-euro mini e-reader that divides opinion

XTEINK X4: the pocket-sized reader that promises to revolutionize dead time for under 40 euros

Imagine you're on the subway, you pull out a device the size of a pocket notebook and start reading without anyone knowing whether you're checking your phone or a book. The XTEINK X4, a 4.3-inch mini e-ink reader, sells on AliExpress for around 36 euros — the Chinese version, exactly 35 bucks — and some people have already bought it before reading any reviews. The question is: is it worth so little money, or is it a whim that will end up in a drawer?

Pocket size and an unbeatable price

The XTEINK X4 fits in any pocket: it's smaller than a Kindle and weighs less than a smartphone. Its defenders point out that it's ideal for those dead minutes on public transport, instead of falling into the Instagram loop. "It has two clear advantages: price and size," sums up a recurring analysis. It costs between 35 and 50 euros depending on the version, well below the 250 usually asked for e-readers with unusual form factors. However, some dismiss it outright: "There are thousands of 6-inch Sony ebooks working fine for 40 euros. Why buy this?," argue the skeptics.

Apps and firmware: the Chinese adventure

The device comes with a basic system that only reads TXT and EPUB, and the latter can cause problems with certain encodings. To install apps — chess, sudoku, whatever — you have to flash it with alternative firmware, a task that requires patience: the Chinese version doesn't connect to the PC via USB; you have to use an SD card. Those who have tried it warn: the interface is clunky, apps have to be downloaded from Chinese stores, and the experience is far from smooth. "For now it's fine for reading, but no frills," say early users. The original firmware is so limited that many are waiting for a more polished version to come out, though at 36 euros, the risk seems acceptable.

The screen debate: small but sufficient

Criticism centers on the size. At 4.3 inches, page turns are constant, which could nullify e-ink's low-power advantage: "If you change pages all the time, you use almost as much energy as with an LCD," the tech-minded warn. But its supporters see it as a pocket bible: by adjusting the font, an entire page fits on screen. Reading PDFs or DjVu, however, requires splitting the page or zooming, with mixed results. The underlying question: is it a complement or a replacement? Those who already own a larger reader see it as an ally for everyday use; purists consider it a toy.

Is it worth the investment?

At 36 euros, the decision is almost automatic for the curious: if it's rubbish, you sell it, keep it in a drawer or give it away. But the math is more nuanced. For that price, the XTEINK X4 offers a screen without frontlight, unstable firmware and the need to tinker to get the most out of it. A refurbished Kindle, on the other hand, costs twice as much and works from the moment you turn it on. The equation changes if what you're after is an ultra-light emergency reader — in a prepper's backpack, for example — or if the challenge of making it your own appeals to you.

The surprising data point: while some buy it as an alternative to their phone, others point out that with those 36 euros you could get a batch of second-hand paperback books that last a lifetime. Perhaps the real low-power technology isn't e-ink, but paper.