E-readers don’t have to be big, expensive, or locked into one ecosystem. Xteink, a Chinese brand quietly challenging the likes of Amazon and Kobo with compact devices, just announced its latest model.
The Xteink S4 is a small, lightweight e-reader that runs Android and magnetically attaches to the back of your smartphone. It’s currently available for pre-order in China for around $50, with an international release expected in the coming months (via NotebookCheck)
What makes the Xteink S4 worth paying attention to?
The biggest change with the S4 is the operating system. Earlier Xteink models like the X3 and X4 ran a proprietary OS, which limited what you could do with them. The S4 runs Android 11, which is outdated, but it opens the door to a much wider range of reading apps.
You could potentially install Kindle, Kobo, NOOK, Libby, Moon Reader, or FBReader. Google Apps and Services aren’t officially confirmed, so some apps may need to be sideloaded, but the flexibility is a significant step up from previous models.
What’s new with the hardware?
The S4 also introduces a front light for the first time in the Xteink lineup, with adjustable color temperature for comfortable reading in different lighting conditions.
The 4.3-inch display is the same size as the X4, but the battery has more than doubled, going from 650mAh on earlier models to 1,400mAh. It also packs 2GB of RAM, 32GB of likely expandable storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a USB-C port.
How does Xteink S4 compare to other e-readers?
At just 6.98mm thick and 95 grams, the S4 is significantly lighter and slimmer than Amazon’s cheapest Kindle. The magnetic attachment lets it snap neatly onto the back of a smartphone, making it one of the most portable reading options on the market right now. For now, the specs look promising on paper, but a full verdict will have to wait until we can test one ourselves.
