3 ms·

This is competition for the new XTEINK X4 Pro. Cost about half the price and is compatible with Crosspoint too.

3D30497420 2mo ago
I really don't understand why the XTEINK X4 Pro doesn't have a built-in USB-C port. A good part of the appeal of a device like that is less lock-in, but then you're stuck with a proprietary connector. I guess this makes it a bit thinner and maybe a larger battery? I'd much rather have a slightly larger/thicker device and built-in USB-C.
- NDlurker 2mo ago
  I was disappointed by that too. I didn't think it would be hard to keep track of the pogo adapter for my x3, but I did end up losing it pretty quickly. I really didn't want to buy the x4 pro, but I'm working on custom firmware for the x4 and I want to make sure it's compatible with the new device. Also, the lack of light was kind of annoying when I took the x4 on a camping trip. Not $100 worth annoying, but mildly annoying.
- hadlock 2mo ago
  The "original" XTEINK X4 (not pro) has a USB-C port - that's explicitly why I bought it. It looks like it is out of production now. The good news is they are a proven, very popular device (it's just an e-ink display glued to an ESP32 with good third party support) so this class of device should be available on AliExpress soon if not already.
  - puzzlingcaptcha 2mo ago
    Just to point out the usb-c on the original x4 is for charging only.
    - aix1 2mo ago
      Also firmware updates (on the non-locked variants), no? What other potential uses are there? Uploading books without WiFi is the only one that comes to mind.
      - puzzlingcaptcha 2mo ago
        As far as I can tell, firmware updates are only via WiFi.
- yoavm 2mo ago
  I got the Xteink X4 Pro a few days ago. I was so convinced everything these days has a USB-C port, I didn't even check. Honestly it's the only downside of the device, I love everything else about it. Sure, it's small, but it's almost entirely an advantage for me. I don't even think about "should I take it with me?" - I just do, which means I read much more. The light is great for reading in bed. And CrossPoint is super solid (flashing took a minute).
fmajid 2mo ago
and has a touchscreen
- burner420042 2mo ago
  And a RTC!
  - M95D 2mo ago
    Redundant. ESP32 already has an internal RTC, with its own separate CPU and memory! https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32/api-reference/system/ulp.html https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32/...
numpad0 2mo ago
M5Stack and LilyGo products aren't necessarily end user ready. They are awkward middle grounds between shoebox sized literal circuit level prototype of smartphones and on-stage-CEO-showing-off prototypes. A bit like bake at home dough. Not competitors to real products.
- jwr 2mo ago
  From what I understand, they also have no certifications (CE/FCC/VCCI and similar) and cannot really be sold as consumer products, only as kits.
  - numpad0 2mo ago
    They do come with radio certifications and IIRC the European crossed bin sign. But yeah, not with full consumer product formalities.
burnte 2mo ago
I just for the one that's a hair smaller than the 4, flashed it with Crosspoint, and man, I'm pretty happy with it.

I really don't understand why the XTEINK X4 Pro doesn't have a built-in USB-C port. A good part of the appeal of a device like that is less lock-in, but then you're stuck with a proprietary connector. I guess this makes it a bit thinner and maybe a larger battery? I'd much rather have a slightly larger/thicker device and built-in USB-C.

NDlurker 2mo ago
I was disappointed by that too. I didn't think it would be hard to keep track of the pogo adapter for my x3, but I did end up losing it pretty quickly. I really didn't want to buy the x4 pro, but I'm working on custom firmware for the x4 and I want to make sure it's compatible with the new device. Also, the lack of light was kind of annoying when I took the x4 on a camping trip. Not $100 worth annoying, but mildly annoying.
hadlock 2mo ago
The "original" XTEINK X4 (not pro) has a USB-C port - that's explicitly why I bought it. It looks like it is out of production now. The good news is they are a proven, very popular device (it's just an e-ink display glued to an ESP32 with good third party support) so this class of device should be available on AliExpress soon if not already.
- puzzlingcaptcha 2mo ago
  Just to point out the usb-c on the original x4 is for charging only.
  - aix1 2mo ago
    Also firmware updates (on the non-locked variants), no? What other potential uses are there? Uploading books without WiFi is the only one that comes to mind.
    - puzzlingcaptcha 2mo ago
      As far as I can tell, firmware updates are only via WiFi.
yoavm 2mo ago
I got the Xteink X4 Pro a few days ago. I was so convinced everything these days has a USB-C port, I didn't even check. Honestly it's the only downside of the device, I love everything else about it. Sure, it's small, but it's almost entirely an advantage for me. I don't even think about "should I take it with me?" - I just do, which means I read much more. The light is great for reading in bed. And CrossPoint is super solid (flashing took a minute).

fmajid 2mo ago

and has a touchscreen

burner420042 2mo ago
And a RTC!
- M95D 2mo ago
  Redundant. ESP32 already has an internal RTC, with its own separate CPU and memory! https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32/api-reference/system/ulp.html https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/stable/esp32/...

numpad0 2mo ago

M5Stack and LilyGo products aren't necessarily end user ready. They are awkward middle grounds between shoebox sized literal circuit level prototype of smartphones and on-stage-CEO-showing-off prototypes. A bit like bake at home dough. Not competitors to real products.

jwr 2mo ago
From what I understand, they also have no certifications (CE/FCC/VCCI and similar) and cannot really be sold as consumer products, only as kits.
- numpad0 2mo ago
  They do come with radio certifications and IIRC the European crossed bin sign. But yeah, not with full consumer product formalities.

burnte 2mo ago

I just for the one that's a hair smaller than the 4, flashed it with Crosspoint, and man, I'm pretty happy with it.