Last week Xteink released the X4 Classic, and now it’s already available to order through Xteink’s Amazon Store, and the estimated delivery date is next week.
So far they only have the Space Black color listed for sale. I think I’m going to hold out for the Mist Gray version since I have an original X4 in black, and I want to see how the lighter color compares.
The Xteink X4 Classic is a lot like the original X4 but with a few upgrades (and what many would consider one key downgrade). The new X4 V2 has a 4.3″ E Ink screen with 219 ppi like first gen X4, but early reports suggest the contrast is a little better, and hopefully they fixed the sun fade issue (those are some things I want to compare for myself).
The X4 Classic also features a larger battery. It comes with a 920mAh battery, which is 270mAh larger than the battery in the original X4, so battery life should get a nice boost (and it was already really good on the original X4 since it’s so basic).
The most controversial change comes in the form of pogo pins for charging. Xteink did away with the USB-C port on the newer model, and some people simply can’t get past that, even though it comes with a pogo to USB-C adapter. Some people got so miffed by this that Xteink announced they plan to bring back USB-C ports on future devices.
Removing the USB port helped make the X4 Classic thinner and lighter than the first gen X4 (it’s 1mm thinner and 6 grams lighter), which most people don’t seem to care about, but if you want to attach the X4 to the back of your phone that could be advantageous.
The placement of the side buttons is different on the newer model (they’re like the smaller Xteink X3 now), and they added a sensor to turn pages by tilting the device. The new X4 is supposed to be a bit faster too since it’s using a different chip like the X4 Pro so that’s a plus.
The first gen X4 turned out to be one of my favorite ereaders so it was a little sad to see it get discontinued so soon. I’m a little skeptical about the changes on the new version (I really like the position of the side button on the old model), but I’m looking forward to testing it out and seeing how it compares.
Just one thing to note, you have to be careful where you buy Xteink ereaders from because the China versions are locked from installing custom software. There’s a workaround for that, but there’s a greater risk of bricking the device. It’s also important to order from somewhere with a good return policy because these devices are extra fragile and there are countless reports of them arriving from China with broken screens. That’s why I will only order Xteink’s devices from their official Amazon store, even if it is slightly more expensive that way. But returns are easy and shipping is fast, and you know you’re getting an unlocked version.
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