Credit Card-Sized E-Reader Has One Major Flaw

Xteink has introduced a smaller and thinner e-reader, the Xteink X3, which unfortunately lacks a USB-C port. The X3 is more compact than the previous Xteink X4, with enhanced software, simplified buttons, and a better magnetic mount. However, its use of a magnetic pogo-pin connection instead of USB-C for charging is a drawback. The X3 features a 3.7-inch E Ink display offering a higher 250ppi, but still lacks screen lighting and touchscreen capabilities. The device’s button layout has been improved with contextual onscreen labels, though these disappear in certain OS areas. While software improvements exist, such as more line spacing options and a shake-to-turn-page function, transferring books remains cumbersome. Despite appreciating the X3’s small size and portability, the absence of a USB-C port limits convenience, making it less appealing in an increasingly USB-C-standardized world.