Some products achieve such a high level of success that their brand name becomes synonymous with the item itself. For instance, names like Band-Aid, Photoshop, and Scotch tape are often used generically, similar to how Kindle is now viewed. Although Kindle has dominated the eReader space for quite some time, a new compact device is hinting that the landscape may be shifting.
The Xteink X3 is remarkably compact
It’s innovative enough to succeed
Having relied on a fourth-generation Kindle for many years, I recently acquired my first new eReader in over a decade. The Xteink X3 is a stark contrast to the Kindle.
This diminutive eReader operates on an ESP32-C3 platform and features a 3.7-inch display. The entire device is slightly larger than a credit card and weighs just 58 grams. Surprisingly, it includes a 259 PPI display, physical buttons for page navigation, and allows for storage expansion up to 256GB via a microSD card.
Initially, I doubted its practicality—could a 3-inch eReader be effective? My skepticism faded once I began reading; the size became insignificant.
What’s most impressive is its portability. The X3 easily fits into your pocket and can even attach magnetically to the back of your smartphone. This way, instead of mindlessly scrolling through your phone during idle moments, you can opt for your eReader. Since acquiring it, my reading frequency has notably increased.
Emancipated from the Kindle ecosystem
My device won’t lose important features
Another advantage of the Xteink X3 is the freedom it affords from the limitations of Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem. For years, I was subject to Amazon’s policies.
In 2025, Amazon eliminated the “Download & Transfer via USB” feature, which I relied on to back up my purchases—especially crucial since Amazon has been known to delete titles from its catalog. By 2026, support for my Kindle 4 was discontinued, preventing me from buying or downloading new books from the Kindle Store.
While the X3 has proprietary firmware, it supports EPUB files. This allows users to easily add any DRM-free books to the microSD card, bypassing the constraints of the Kindle system. Additionally, various third-party firmware options are available, ensuring you won’t unexpectedly lose vital functionalities as you might with a Kindle.
eReaders are evolving
Amazon remains conservative
At first glance, the Xteink X3 is clearly distinct from a Kindle—not just due to a lack of branding, but in its overall design and functionality.
Amazon has maintained a dominant position in the eReader market for years, a status that has resulted in minimal innovation. The most recent basic Kindle model shows little evolution from my Kindle 4; the primary upgrades are a touchscreen and a front light. Both devices, despite being 15 years apart, stick to the same six-inch form factor.
While Amazon has released other models like the Paperwhite and Colorsoft, which include features like adjustable warm light and color displays, they still closely resemble standard Kindles with slightly larger 7-inch screens. The Kindle Scribe diverges slightly, acting more as a note-taking device than a traditional eReader.
Fortunately, as Amazon plays it safe, other brands are pushing boundaries. Xteink offers not only the X3 but also a larger X4 Pro with a 4.3-inch screen, along with an updated original X4 model in the works.
Other eReader brands like Kobo and PocketBook are also breaking from the conventional six-inch mold, introducing larger-screen options and even smaller four-inch devices. Prototypes of foldable E Ink readers are emerging, hinting at new possibilities in the future.
My Kindle is still in use, but no more purchases
A world of options awaits
Currently, the eReader market is filled with excellent alternatives. Even traditional six-inch models now boast a variety of choices beyond Amazon’s offerings, freeing users from the Kindle ecosystem.
The Xteink X3 has reshaped my perceptions of an eReader. It demonstrates that a device doesn’t have to mimic the size of a paperback, nor does it need to be produced by Amazon. Although my jailbroken Kindle 4 still serves me well, I won’t be acquiring another Kindle in the future.
Now is the best time to invest in an eReader
With such a plethora of remarkable options available outside of the Kindle lineup, it’s an ideal moment to consider a new eReader. If you haven’t explored what’s on the market recently, you may be pleasantly surprised by the innovations you find.
