Xteink · Reviewed by pixel leaves · Published 2026-07-21
Based on a review by pixel leaves (accessed 2026-07-21).
Based on this review alone: skip it — front light is too bright for reading in a nearly pitch-black room at lowest setting, unless built-in front light with brightness and warmth settings is your only priority.
The reviewer concludes that the Xteink X4 Pro is hard to recommend unless a built-in light and the MagSafe form factor are absolute necessities. For most users, they suggest sticking with the X4 or X3 due to their more mature software, convenient charging, and a price point that makes them a less risky purchase, citing the X4's better physical buttons and overall value.
This review provides a real-world, 3-week assessment of the Xteink X4 Pro e-reader, comparing it against the original X4 model and other mainstream e-readers. It focuses on practical aspects such as the built-in front light, battery performance, charging method, hardware changes like buttons and MagSafe placement, and the current state of its software. The reviewer also evaluates its price point relative to competing devices.
The Xteink X4 Pro is hard to recommend as a general upgrade due to its hefty price tag and several debatable downgrades, unless a built-in light is an absolute necessity for your reading habits. It features a useful front light that works well in dimly lit rooms and a larger battery capacity to offset the light's usage. However, the switch to pogo pin charging and a less responsive touchscreen with fewer front buttons detract significantly from the user experience. If you prioritize the unique form factor, MagSafe convenience, and a built-in light, this device is a solid, albeit niche, option. For most users, the original X4 or X3 offers a more balanced and affordable experience with better buttons and more mature software.
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The X4 Pro has a built-in front light, a new feature not on the X4, with adjustable brightness and warmth. The light level is good for reading in dimly lit rooms, though when compared to other mainstream e-readers at setting six, the X4 Pro was at its lowest brightness.
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For bedtime reading in a nearly pitch-black room, the reviewer found the front light too bright and wished it could go a few steps dimmer and potentially warmer.
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The reviewer observed some light leakage on the borders of the device, specifically on the gray model.
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The X4 Pro has a larger battery capacity than the X4. The reviewer tracked actual reading time with the front light on at the lowest brightness and achieved approximately 10 hours of reading on stock firmware.
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A controversial change is the X4 Pro's use of pogo pins for charging, contrasting with the X4's USB-C. It includes a dongle to adapt existing USB-C cables.
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The pogo pin connector also supports data transfer via USB mode, allowing users to drop in files like a USB drive, an alternative to the X4's SD card or wireless transfer methods.
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The X4 Pro switched to touchscreen navigation, removing the mechanical front page turn buttons present on the X4, though side page turn buttons remain.
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Accidental screen taps are possible when holding the device, but the reader thankfully includes an option to turn off touch on the screen while in a book.
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The reviewer found the responsiveness for page turning to be better with physical buttons compared to tapping the page on the touchscreen.
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The X4 Pro's built-in magnet is placed differently, allowing it to align and attach well to an iPhone (e.g., iPhone 16) right side up, unlike the X4 which often required an upside-down orientation. However, the device is still a bit too long for the iPhone 16.
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The stock software is described as a work in progress, with frequent changes and some features missing compared to the original X4. Despite this, it functions as a basic EPUB reader, allowing the reviewer to finish several books.
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The current international firmware offers two built-in sans serif font options, supports italics, bold text, and complete accents in French and Portuguese. It also supports images in EPUBs, beneficial for light novels.
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The X4 Pro is not Android-powered, meaning it does not support apps. The only option for advanced features is installing community firmware.
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At around $100, the X4 Pro is cheaper than Android pocket e-readers but similar in price to full-sized regular e-readers that are more feature-rich. The reviewer suggests buying an X4 and a secondhand device for the same price as the X4 Pro, questioning its value as an upgrade.
The Xteink X4 Pro features a built-in front light, a significant upgrade over the original X4 model. It offers customizable settings for both brightness and warmth. While the reviewer found it effective for reading in dimly lit rooms, they noted it could be too bright for comfortable reading in a completely dark environment and wished for dimmer options.
The X4 Pro boasts a larger battery capacity than its predecessor, helping to offset the power consumption of its new front light. The reviewer conducted a real-world test, tracking reading time with the front light continuously on at its lowest brightness, and achieved approximately 10 hours of use on stock firmware. Turning the front light off will, of course, extend the battery life further.
The Xteink X4 Pro employs pogo pins for charging, a departure from the X4's USB-C port. It comes with a dongle that allows users to connect any existing USB-C cable for charging. Additionally, this pogo pin connector facilitates data transfer in USB mode, enabling users to easily drag and drop files onto the device, similar to using a USB drive.
The X4 Pro has transitioned to a touchscreen-centric design, eliminating the mechanical page turn buttons that were present on the front of the X4. While it still retains physical page turn buttons on the sides, the reviewer noted that the responsiveness of physical buttons was superior to tapping the touchscreen. An option is available within the reader software to disable touch input while reading to prevent accidental page turns.
The X4 Pro's stock software is described as being under active development, undergoing changes even during the review period. Some features found on the original X4 are currently absent. Despite this, it effectively functions as a basic EPUB reader, supporting various text styles like italics and bold, complete accents in languages like French and Portuguese, and images. It is not Android-powered, so it lacks app support, but community firmware options are available.
While the X4 Pro is priced lower than Android pocket e-readers, its cost is nearly equivalent to that of full-sized e-readers, which typically offer more features and require less 'tinkering.' The reviewer highlights the original X4's appeal as an affordable, basic device and suggests that for the price of the X4 Pro, one could potentially purchase an X4 and an older secondhand device for home reading, questioning the X4 Pro's value as a direct upgrade.
85/100 source quality
The Xteink X4 Pro introduces a built-in front light and MagSafe compatibility, but also features controversial changes such as pogo pin charging and the removal of front-facing page turn buttons. The reviewer, an avid e-reader user, tested the device for three weeks, noting that the front light, while good for dim rooms, was too bright for a pitch-black environment and exhibited some light leakage. Battery life with the light on lowest brightness was approximately 10 hours. The software is described as a work in progress, though it handles basic EPUB reading. Ultimately, the X4 Pro's higher price point and specific hardware changes make the reviewer recommend the X4 or X3 for most users.
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This page converts pixel leaves's review of the Xteink Xteink X4 Pro into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.