TL;DR
Mark Jansen tested the Xteink X4, a compact e-reader that magnetically mounts to phones and costs roughly $60 on AliExpress. It delivers a basic but portable reading experience—lightweight and effective at encouraging short reading sessions—though it has quirks like an initial Chinese UI, no touchscreen or backlight, and limited page formatting.
What happened
Mark Jansen bought an Xteink X4 miniature e-reader from AliExpress for about $60 to see whether a pocket-sized device stuck to his phone would help him read more. Out of the box the interface was in Chinese, and he used Google Lens to switch the language to English. The X4 includes a magnet intended for Qi2-compatible phones, but the unit’s magnet placement didn’t line up with his device and it interfered with the camera protrusion; the kit included magnetic stickers that allowed him to reposition the attachment and make it sit correctly. Loading books requires a microSD card and managing files in the device’s file browser; filenames and some menus were in Chinese but were navigable. The reader has no touchscreen—page turns use button controls—and offers a limited amount of text per screen with forced justification causing occasional layout gaps. There’s no built-in backlight, but the unit is very light, pocketable, and the reviewer says he would buy it again.
Why it matters
- Makes reading more immediately accessible by magnetically attaching to a phone, lowering the friction to pick up a book.
- At around $60, it offers an inexpensive entry point for people wanting a dedicated e-reader without a full-size device.
- Trade-offs—basic controls, formatting quirks and no backlight—show the compromises buyers should expect at this price.
- Magnet placement and phone compatibility vary, so real-world fit can require adjustments.
Key facts
- Device: Xteink X4 miniature e-reader.
- Price: approximately $60 from AliExpress.
- Attachment: built-in magnet intended to mount to Qi2-compatible phones; unit also ships with magnetic stickers for repositioning.
- Initial setup: shipped with Chinese language by default; reviewer used Google Lens to change language to English.
- Controls: no touchscreen—navigation is via volume-style buttons or physical keys below the display.
- Storage and loading: books loaded via microSD card and accessed through the X4's file browser; file names and some menus appeared in Chinese.
- Display and reading: small screen shows relatively few words per page; forced text justification can create gaps and formatting issues.
- No backlight: the device does not include a built-in front light.
- Build: described as very light, solid-feeling and highly portable; reviewer often carried it in a pocket when not attached to his phone.
- Reviewer verdict: enjoyed the device’s simplicity and portability and said he would buy it again despite jankiness.
What to watch next
- Whether magnet alignment and fit issues affect a wide range of phone models beyond the reviewer’s device.
- Long-term durability and battery life under regular use — not confirmed in the source.
- Future software or localization updates to improve the default language and menu clarity — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- E‑reader: A device with a screen optimized for reading digital books, often using e-ink or low-power displays to mimic paper.
- Qi2: An updated wireless charging and magnetic attachment standard used by some modern smartphones and accessories.
- microSD: A small removable flash memory card used to expand storage or transfer files between devices.
- Justified text: A layout style where lines of text are stretched so both the left and right margins form straight edges, which can create gaps between words.
- Backlight: A front or internal light source that makes a screen readable in low-light conditions; many e-readers either include or omit this feature.
Reader FAQ
Will the Xteink X4 attach to any phone?
The X4 uses a magnet intended for Qi2-compatible phones; fit can depend on a phone’s camera bump and magnet placement, and the reviewer used included magnetic stickers to adjust positioning.
Does the X4 have a touchscreen?
No. Navigation is performed with physical buttons—volume-style keys or a pair of buttons below the display.
Can I load books easily?
Books are copied onto a microSD card and selected via the device’s file browser; filenames and some menus appeared in Chinese but were navigable.
Is there a built-in light for nighttime reading?
No. The device does not include a backlight.
How long does the battery last?
not confirmed in the source
I tried this miniature e-reader that attaches to my phone, and it's surprisingly good Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | Xteink By Mark Jansen Published 9 minutes ago Mark has…
Sources
- I tried this miniature e-reader that attaches to my phone, and it's surprisingly good
- XTEink X4
- Xteink X4: A Lightweight, Magnetic eReader Built for Everyday Convenience
- Xteink X4 Review: I Love This Teeny-Tiny E-Reader
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