Dedicated eReaders increasingly try to do more than display books. Touchscreens, app stores, note-taking tools, web browsers, cloud services, and color displays can all be useful, but every extra feature can also mean another menu, setting, or distraction.
Price: $79 (From $89)
Where to Buy: XTEINK
The XTEINK X4 Classic, also called the X4 V2, goes in the opposite direction. It is a 4.3-inch E Ink reader built around physical buttons, removable storage, and a deliberately limited reading experience. Compared with the original X4, it is thinner and lighter, has a larger battery, rearranged page controls, and adds a motion-based page-turning feature.
At $79, the X4 Classic is not positioned as a Kindle, Kobo, or Android eReader replacement. Its appeal is much narrower: opening locally stored books with as little friction as possible.
Smaller hardware, larger battery
The X4 Classic measures 114 x 69 x 4.9 mm and weighs 68 grams. Its 4.3-inch, 219 PPI E Ink display has no touchscreen or front light, relying instead on page-turn buttons on both sides for one-handed reading.
Despite its thinner body, XTEINK increased battery capacity from 650 mAh to 920 mAh. The company rates it for up to 10 days of casual reading, though real-world battery life will vary by use and settings.
USB-C is gone
One way XTEINK reached the 4.9 mm thickness was by removing the original X4’s USB-C connector. The X4 Classic instead uses pogo pins and includes a magnetic charging adapter.
That choice keeps the device’s edge clean, but it creates a real compromise. A USB-C cable is easy to replace at an airport, hotel, office, or friend’s house; XTEINK’s magnetic adapter is specific to this reader.
A small number of pre-release users report that the magnetic connector can detach easily if the reader is disturbed during charging. These early reports do not establish a universal defect, but they highlight the downside of replacing a standard cable with a proprietary charging accessory.
Shake to turn pages
The other notable addition is Shake-to-Flip. When enabled, a gentle shake of the X4 Classic can turn a page without requiring a press on its physical controls.
It may sound like a gimmick, but it could be useful when one hand is occupied, for example, while holding a subway pole, carrying a bag, or eating lunch. A slight movement of the reader may be easier than adjusting your grip to reach a page button.
XTEINK says Shake-to-Flip can be enabled through the reading menu or shortcut controls. The physical buttons remain available, so motion-based page turning is optional rather than a replacement for the core interface.
File transfer needs clarity
The Classic includes a 16 GB microSD card and supports storage expansion up to 256 GB. It also has 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
However, XTEINK’s published product information is unclear about file transfer. Its comparison table lists app, microSD, and USB transfer, while the detailed specifications identify pogo pins as the Classic’s only physical connection. Until XTEINK clarifies that discrepancy, buyers should not assume conventional wired USB file transfer is supported.
Format support also comes with caveats. XTEINK’s detailed specifications list EPUB and TXT as supported document formats, while its FAQ also discusses MOBI and PDF files. The company warns that MOBI and PDF may not be fully supported by the firmware and recommends conversion through its official app; comics and other image-heavy files may require conversion to XTEINK’s own formats as well.
In practice, the X4 Classic is best suited to readers who are comfortable managing a DRM-free EPUB or TXT library rather than relying on an integrated bookstore, subscription service, or library-lending platform.
No front light
The X4 Classic still lacks a built-in front light. In daylight, a reflective E Ink screen is exactly where this compact reader makes sense. But in a dark bedroom, airplane cabin, or dim train, you will need an external light source.
XTEINK sells a separate magnetic reading light, while the X4 Pro adds a touchscreen and integrated front light for people who want those conveniences.
That distinction explains the X4 Classic’s purpose. It is not meant to be the most feature-packed XTEINK model; it is the stripped-back option for readers who specifically want buttons, removable storage, and fewer distractions.
Who it is for
The X4 Classic makes the most sense for someone with DRM-free EPUB or TXT books who wants a tiny dedicated reader for uncomplicated reading. Its 68-gram body, larger battery, physical buttons, and removable storage all support that focused use case.
It is a weaker choice if most of your library is tied to Kindle, Kobo, subscription, or library-loan ecosystems. Night readers should factor in the missing front light, and frequent travelers will need to decide whether carrying XTEINK’s proprietary magnetic adapter is worth the tradeoff of losing USB-C.
Price: $79 (From $89)
Where to Buy: XTEINK
XTEINK did not turn the X4 into a miniature tablet for its second generation. Instead, it refined the original formula: less weight, more battery, button-first controls, and very little standing between a book file and the next page.
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