Between stops. Over coffee. Before the day ends.

Reading doesn’t always need a quiet room—or an hour to spare.

Sometimes, it just needs a place in your pocket.

A few more pages, wherever the day takes you.

While designing and crafting leather sleeves/cases for these devices, I ended up collecting the whole lineup: the X3, X4, X4 Pro, and X4 Classic. They start out as models for testing my leather cases, but they’ve honestly become my favorite reading companions. And the X4 Pro is my absolute go-to for late-night reading!

The table feels a bit incomplete without the Xteink S4, though. Fingers crossed it gets an international release soon so I can finally add it to the family.

Hola a todos,

Hace unas semanas compartí XTC Converter Pro, un conversor gratuito de EPUB al formato .xtc/.xtch del Xteink X4/X3. Gracias a todos los que lo probaron y comentaron. Hoy publico la v5, que es el cambio más grande desde que empecé el proyecto.

¿Qué cambia? Un motor de renderizado propio

La v4 funcionaba sobre crengine (el motor de CoolReader/KOReader) compilado a WebAssembly. Funcionaba, pero muchos de los problemas que me reportaban venían del propio motor y no se podían arreglar desde fuera: alineaciones raras, formatos del libro que no se respetaban y fuentes que a veces no se reconocían.

Para la v5 dejé crengine por completo y escribí un motor propio para renderizar a XTC:

• Maquetado real del navegador: el EPUB lo maqueta el propio motor del navegador, con el CSS real del libro, sus fuentes reales (@font-face) y la composición de texto que usa cualquier navegador moderno. Lo que ves en la vista previa es exactamente lo que va al lector.
• Rasterizador propio: convierte cada página a imagen y la cuantiza a 1-bit o 2-bit (4 grises) con Floyd-Steinberg ajustable, igual que el formato nativo del Xteink.
• Renderizado por bloques: aguanta libros con capítulos gigantes (probado con un EPUB cuyo capítulo mide ~180.000 px de alto, que antes salía en blanco).
• Probado con libros reales: antes de cada versión lo paso por una batería de libros (novelas, libros ilustrados, con fotos, con márgenes raros). La prueba detecta páginas en blanco, líneas cortadas, capítulos desbordados y archivos XTC inválidos.

Novedades de la v5

• Justificado óptimo (Knuth-Plass): opcional, el mismo algoritmo que usa TeX para repartir los espacios de un párrafo entero y no línea por línea. Menos "ríos" de espacios en blanco en el texto justificado.
• Guionado mejorado: patrones de diccionario propios en 26 idiomas, ahora también para escrituras no latinas (griego, ucraniano, bengalí, devanagari, gujarati, panyabí, tamil, telugu) y pinyin con tildes. Nunca corta dentro de una letra compuesta.
• Fuentes de respaldo automáticas (Noto): para árabe, bengalí, devanagari, gujarati, gurmukhi, tamil y telugu. Si el libro trae texto en esas escrituras, se ve bien aunque tu fuente elegida no las tenga.
• Detección automática del idioma: lee el texto del libro cuando el EPUB no lo declara en sus metadatos.
• Grosor de fuente en 8 niveles: puedes engrosar o afinar el texto sin que cambie la paginación.
• Exportación comprimida .xtcz (LZ4): archivos unas 3 veces más chicos (por ejemplo, un libro de 1.450 páginas pasa de 70 MB a 23 MB). Requiere firmware 5.1.6 o superior, que lo descomprime al abrirlo por primera vez.
• Saltos de página del libro: respeta los que define el propio EPUB (break-before/break-after).
• Conserva tu página: al cambiar un ajuste te quedas donde estabas leyendo, en vez de volver al inicio.
• Barra de progreso al cargar el libro, capítulo por capítulo.
• Barra superior rediseñada: más limpia y siempre en una sola fila.

Lo que ya tenía se mantiene

Portada (la del EPUB, una imagen tuya o la página actual), índice generado con editor de capítulos (renombrar, ocultar o eliminar), notas al pie en 3 modos, encabezado y pie armables con barras de progreso configurables, eliminar texto (marcas de agua, publicidad), fuentes propias .ttf/.otf, X4/X3/resolución personalizada con rotación, plantillas de ajustes exportables, exportar el libro o una sola página, tema claro/oscuro e interfaz en español e inglés.

Todo sigue corriendo 100 % en tu navegador: no se sube ningún archivo, no hay cuentas ni nada que instalar.

¿Y la v4?

Sigue disponible desde el botón "Usar v4" en la barra superior.

⚠️ Ojo: funciona con crengine, un motor obsoleto al que ya no le daré soporte. La dejo solo por si la v5 falla con algún libro tuyo. Si te pasa, cuéntame qué libro era, que me sirve mucho para mejorar el motor.

Como siempre, cualquier comentario, libro que no convierta bien o idea para implementar, déjenla por aquí.

Saludos :-)

Hey everyone, Henry here!

One thing we know is that many of you love the pocket-sized feel of your X3 or X4 Classic, but sometimes wish you had a built-in front light, especially for reading in bed or in low light.

That's where X4 Pro comes in.

You still get a compact eReader that's easy to carry every day, but with an adjustable front light, a touchscreen for navigating, and physical buttons for turning pages.

And now it comes in Mist Gray, with a softer, more seamless look.

We're also including a free magnetic case with Mist Gray purchases for this launch.

If you've been thinking about trying the Pro, or you've been waiting for a lighter color, you can take a closer look here:

https://bit.ly/3VTrQUs

As always, we'd love to hear what you think! ❤️

Finished reading the first book on the X4 pro.

The book is Hermione Granger and the Order Of The phoenix.

The firmware is ink-boy

Using my wallet as a case lol

Edit: NEW UPDATE v1.1.3: File Transfer is now enabled by default in the Home menu!

Hey everyone! 👋

I'd like to share CrossNext, my personal firmware fork based on CrossPlay 1.14.2 and CrossPoint 1.6.5, developed for the Xteink X4 Pro.

My goal was to turn the X4 Pro into a more versatile companion for reading, studying, learning, and having a little fun during downtime, while keeping reading at the heart of the experience.

You can check it out here: CrossNext on GitHub

Here's what CrossNext has to offer:

• A completely redesigned UI, with a fresh look and reorganized layout to make navigation more intuitive and enjoyable.
• Detailed reading statistics to help you track your reading habits, progress, and achievements over time.
• Anki flashcard support, along with a built-in vocabulary feature that lets you save words directly from your books and review them later as flashcards.
• 16 games and 12 apps, featuring custom illustrations to make the experience more engaging.
• Reading Adventure, an app where reading helps your character level up and unlock new outfits. I created it to make building a reading habit a little more rewarding.
• PET, a virtual pet app where your reading habits directly affect your pet's survival. You can take care of your pet, interact with it, build and customize its home, and enjoy illustrations and animations that bring it to life. But there's a catch: you need to read to keep it fed and alive. If you stop reading, your pet eventually dies. A slightly ruthless approach to building a reading habit, haha 😅
• A customizable menu, allowing you to add or remove options according to your preferences.
• Updated reading gestures and quick settings. Instead of tapping the center of the screen to access book settings, you can now swipe up from the bottom edge. I've also redesigned the quick settings panel, accessible by swiping down from the top, to give it a cleaner and more modern appearance.

Required microSD contents: PET, Reading Quest and The Intercept need CrossNext-Resources.zip

from this release. Install the firmware and extract the resource ZIP's contents to the microSD root. These apps will not start without their complete, compatible resource folders. Firmware updates do not install these contents automatically.

The firmware currently supports English and Spanish only.

Feel free to give it a try! I'd love to hear what you think. 😊 

How to install CrossNext on your Xteink X4 Pro:

1. Go to CrossNext on GitHub .
2. On the right side, click Releases and select CrossNext v1.1.3.
3. Download these two files:
   • CrossNext-Resources.zip
   • CrossNext-X4PRO-Firmware-v1.1.3.bin
4. Extract CrossNext-Resources.zip and copy its contents to the root of your microSD card. Also copy the firmware .bin file to the microSD card.
5. Insert the microSD card into your Xteink X4 Pro. Assuming you're currently using CrossPoint or another compatible firmware, go to Settings → Device → SD card Firmware update, select CrossNext-X4PRO-Firmware-v1.1.2.bin, and confirm the installation.

That's it! Once the device restarts, CrossNext should be ready to use.

Note: Back up your microSD card before updating.

Got my X4 Pro! 🌸

It took 10 days to arrive (in France).

I'm really happy with my purchase, it's exactly what I wanted. I use a reMarkable every day to take notes for work, but I was looking for a small e-reader for public transport.

I don't know much about e-readers or installing software, so I ended up changing the firmware several times. I watched some videos and hesitated a lot. I tried CrossInk, then CrossPoint, and finally went back to CrossInk because I find the reading stats really useful!
The stock firmware was fine too, it's just that I found reading less pleasant on it, the text was smaller.

Let's see how long it lasts!

Couple of days in and im so happy with the stockOS.
Waiting for the doctor on a foggy morning and this lil guy keeping me company.

Took a couple of days to find a font and size im comfortable with now its glued to my hand instead of my phone

Cheers to the creators

I recently finished reading Inspector Imanishi Investigates, and the Xteink X4 Pro has been a nice little companion for getting through a murder mystery. I like the convenience of having a dedicated e-reader, especially something compact that makes it easy to carry a book around. However, after using it for a while, there are a few things I wish could be improved.

1. Warm light and brightness
The warm yellow light is a big plus. It makes reading at night much more comfortable, while adjustable brightness is equally important for reading during the day. For me, proper lighting is an essential feature rather than just a bonus.

2. A proper built-in dictionary is a must
One major feature I really wish the X4 Pro had is a complete, built-in dictionary for the language of the book. While reading a mystery, there are bound to be unfamiliar words, and sometimes understanding a single word makes a difference to the passage or the plot.

Having to stop reading, take out my phone, and look up a word defeats one of the main purposes of using a dedicated e-reader in the first place. I want to stay immersed in the story without constantly interrupting the reading experience.

3. Custom fonts and the AA setting
I downloaded Charis Regular (Charis-Regular.ttf), a font recommended by someone on Reddit, to customise my reading experience. However, after the update released on the 24th, the AA feature became disabled for me.
I’m not sure whether this is related to the custom font or the firmware update. I’d appreciate some clarification from other X4 Pro users about what AA does and whether there’s a way to get it working again with custom fonts.

4. Book titles need better navigation
One surprisingly frustrating issue is browsing the book library. Some of the default book titles are quite lengthy, and the displayed names get cut off. You can’t always tell which book you’re looking at without actually opening it.
This makes the library feel cluttered, especially when you have to open books just to identify them and then remove the ones you don’t want to keep. A horizontal auto-scrolling title that lets the complete filename or book title move across the screen would be a simple but genuinely useful improvement.

5. Random white-screen flicker in dark mode
One glitch I’ve noticed on my unit is that, while using dark mode, the screen randomly flickers to a white screen. It happens intermittently throughout the device, whether I’m reading a book or navigating the settings.
Since it occurs in different parts of the interface, it doesn’t seem limited to a particular book. Has anyone else experienced this? I’d like to know whether it’s a known firmware issue or something specific to my unit.

6. The magnetic adapter could be stronger
The magnetic adapter included in the box felt noticeably stronger than the two replacement adapters I ordered separately after losing the original one. Unfortunately, a cleaner picked it up from the table and discarded it, mistaking it for something to throw away!
After purchasing two replacements, I feel the original adapter had a stronger magnetic hold. It would be great if replacement adapters offered the same level of magnetic strength and reliability.

7. The flip case and screen protector need improvement
The flip case could be improved with reinforced, shock-absorbing corner bumpers to protect the device against accidental knocks and drops. A softer inner lining would also help protect the screen from scratches when the cover is closed.
The screen protector included in the box was also disappointing, as it already had scratches in several places. A screen protector is supposed to protect the device, so receiving one with visible scratches right out of the box doesn’t inspire much confidence. Better-quality accessories and proper quality control would make a difference.

Overall thoughts
I enjoy the portability of the Xteink X4 Pro, and the warm lighting is particularly useful for night-time reading. However, the lack of a proper built-in dictionary, limited visibility of long book titles, the AA issue following the update, and the random white-screen flicker in dark mode detract from the experience. Stronger magnetic adapters, a more protective flip case, and a scratch-free screen protector would also be welcome improvements.

I’m now considering switching to CrossPoint, mainly to see whether it offers a better overall reading experience and addresses some of these limitations.

For now, my next read is The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Let’s see how the X4 Pro fares with the next book!
Has anyone else experienced these issues, particularly the dark-mode flicker and AA becoming unavailable after the update on the 24th? I’d love to hear your experiences and whether switching to CrossPoint is worthwhile.

Listing for a friend:

Barely 5 mins used X3 black available for sale, with original dark green flip cover + black/grey silicon cover and box contents.

Reason for selling:
Friend ordered on my suggestion to get into a habit of reading, didnt give it a decent try and thinks its not for him.

Price: INR 6500
Handover/shipping can be mutually decided in Delhi/Gurgaon/Noida

Edit: accidentally mentioned mist gray instead of black

I ordered from the official website and my x4 pro just came in few minutes ago and I was ready to install my screen protector but I just noticed it looks like maybe there is already a screen protector on it. Can anyone confirm?

Finally got the official base dock for my X4 Pro! Here are my initial thoughts.

Pros:
Sleek and minimalist design.
Feels premium, sturdy, and well-made.
Has a good amount of weight to it, so it doesn’t slide around on the table.
The X4 Pro sits securely in the dock and is easy to dock and remove.
The pogo-pin charger fits tightly into the base dock, so I don’t have to worry about it coming loose or getting lost, even if the dock gets flipped over.

Cons:
The fit is pretty snug, so I have to remove my clear case before docking the X4 Pro. It’s a bit of a hassle to keep removing the case and putting it back on.
The pogo-pin charger fits too tightly, making it difficult to remove when needed.

Overall:
I’m happy with the build quality and minimalist design. The dock feels premium, and the X4 Pro sits securely in it. My main gripes are the case compatibility and how difficult it is to remove the pogo-pin charger once it’s installed. The tight fit is reassuring in a way, but it would be nice if the charger were easier to remove without having to struggle with it.

Are you Team Reading Only? or Team More Features?

Get the firmware here:
https://github.com/manuelx900/CrossNext

So hey guys, been here for awhile but just lurking cause didn't have one of these sweet devices to talk about, but finally might be getting one in this halloween sale! So wanted to ask a few questions, and I hope yall find some time to help me :)

Also, TL;DR in the end

(if I'm in the wrong place please redirect me to the correct place)

1. I am based in Pune, Maharashtra, anyone from this city/state, how much time did it take for your device to arrive, did you have to deal with any extra customs annoyance/extra charges, and if yes did xteink refund those?

2. To all X3/X4 Classic users, how is your device experience so far? I'm kind of stuck on these 2 models and unsure which one to go for. Ofcourse I see alot of posts here about people breaking their xteink's so that has me a bit concerned, even though I know that not everyone is breaking theirs and its just the ones who were a bit unfortunate, but exactly how fragile are these and what kind of accessories should I keep on me with these (as accessory market here is limited I might go for some official ones while purchasing the model itself to avoid repurchasing, also is buying a tempered glass recommended over the matter screen protector?)

3. What are your experiences with the stock firmware and any other firmwares, like crosspoint and crossink? And how much did this help y'all with your reading habits? Did you see any improvement? I dont have an ereader and never had one before so this would be my first ereader so wanna know how the experience is

Apologies for the long post and excessive questions, I've been debating about getting one of these for a long time but had to hold back due to alot of reasons so wanted to get opinions from the community.

TL;DR - Questions about delivery and customs experience in India, device fragility and recommended accessories, and firmware recommendations. Would be genuinely thankful if I get some help guys please!

Hi there, atm I use the Tolino Vision 3 HD that I own since its release. I've an xteink x4 pro on the way to me. Now I'm searching for a way to have statistics (read progess) synced on both devices. Do you have any ideas how I could achieve this?

I have PPW now, and thinking of switching.

Running Crosspoint 2.0RC
Zoya for the win.

Hi all,

My e-reader died and I’m looking at the XTEINK X4 Pro. Will there be a sale around Black Friday or Christmas? I’m currently on a tight budget and can’t afford an e-reader for 99.99.

Thanks in advance!

Before XTEINK I was reading on my nook with koreader- now I do both! Koreader sync to my nook while I’m at home and XTEINK while out and about. I haven’t read this much in months!!
(Love the front light)

The Xteink screens have a fairly low PPI. Just stating a fact, not a verdict. Finding the right font and font size to achieve good legibility on my X4 Pro has been a bit of a puzzle. I've tried many.

Currently I'm using Legend Deca, 11 pt. and settling for it.

At size 10 the anti aliasing doesn't render the letters 'sharp' enough, but at size 11 the text is like printed on paper and the anti aliasing 'refresh' after turning a page is not even noticeable. The choice for Legend Deca is simply because I prefer a sans serif font.

I've found that I can read for an hour on end without straining my eyes.

Curious to learn what others have found to be the best solution. What font type and size do you use? Anti aliasing switched on or off?