The Xteink X3, a $70 e-reader released on Amazon in May, has become a viral hit despite—or because of—its bare-bones design. According to The Atlantic, the device is roughly the size of a credit card and can be magnetically attached to the back of an iPhone. It measures 3.7 inches and features an e-ink display with text large enough to read without eye strain, though without a backlight, color display, or touchscreen.
The X3 tops Amazon’s “hot new releases” list for e-readers, beating out various Kindle models. The Atlantic’s reviewer used the device to read through Robert Caro’s 1,344-page “The Power Broker” over several weeks. The small screen size, which displays roughly a paragraph or two per “page,” creates what one YouTuber called the “TikTokification of reading,” encouraging users to complete each brief section before moving to the next. The reviewer reported finishing three books in one month with the X3, compared to one book in the preceding two months, and experienced a 25-minute daily reduction in iPhone screen time.
The device’s limitations are significant. It lacks a touchscreen, backlight, color display, and the ability to import books from Amazon with a single click. The preloaded software is described as “horrific” and cannot properly display book covers or format some text. For more features, Xteink released the X4 Pro, a larger, more expensive model with a reading light and touchscreen.
Despite these shortcomings, the X3 has generated substantial user engagement. According to The Atlantic, owners have posted photos from trips globally, with one anesthesiologist reporting he carries it in his scrubs. Users have created custom accessories including 3D-printed reading lights and cases. An open-source firmware called Crosspoint has significantly upgraded the device’s functionality, adding reading stats, multiple fonts, screenshotting capabilities, and access to Libby, a library ebook app.
The X3’s success reflects broader trends in consumer electronics. The Atlantic notes that while Silicon Valley products dominate certain markets, Chinese manufacturers are filling gaps with affordable, simple devices. Brands like JisuLife, Civpower, and Anker have gained popularity with neck fans, portable projectors, and earbuds. According to The Atlantic, this shift suggests Americans increasingly look beyond traditional tech hubs for innovation.
Key facts
- The Xteink X3 costs $70 and was released on Amazon in May
- The device measures 3.7 inches and attaches magnetically to iPhones
- It lacks a backlight, color display, and touchscreen
- Users report reading three books in one month versus one in the prior two months
- An open-source firmware called Crosspoint has enhanced the device’s capabilities
- The X4 Pro model offers a larger size with reading light and touchscreen