Xteink's tiny e-readers are 20 percent off for Prime Day
The Xteink X4 and X3 e-readers are discounted by 20% during Amazon Prime Day, offering compact alternatives to Kindles and Kobos.
As part of Amazon's Prime Day promotions this week, the Xteink X4 and the smaller X3 e-readers are available at reduced prices. The X4 is now priced at $55.20 (regularly $69), while the X3 costs $63.20 (normally $79). Both devices are significantly smaller and more pocketable than current Kindle and Kobo models.
The e-readers feature magnetic mounts that allow them to attach to the back of MagSafe-compatible smartphones. Although the bundled software is somewhat rough, the versions sold by Amazon can be easily upgraded to the free CrossPoint Reader firmware, which offers a more polished user interface.
In hands-on testing of the X4, the device's physical buttons for page-turning were appreciated, but navigating its sometimes challenging software with buttons instead of a touchscreen was difficult. Battery life is excellent, and the e-reader supports several methods for loading books and documents, but it lacks access to a dedicated online bookstore like Kindles and Kobos have.
The X3 offers similar functionality to the X4 but with a smaller design, an improved button layout, and broader compatibility with smaller smartphones that have magnetic mounts on the back. It is even easier to stash in a small pocket, but the X3's reliance on a proprietary magnetic USB charging cable could be a deal breaker for those prone to losing cables.
