Xteink X4 vs Boox Palma 2: Which E-Reader is Right for You? [2026]

The Xteink X4 costs under $70 and fits almost anywhere. I've already made a review of this device and it's been my go-to e-reader ever since I got it. At just 74 grams with a 4.3-inch display, it's built for readers who want extreme portability without breaking the bank. The Boox Palma 2 takes a different approach entirely.

Both promise pocket-friendly reading, but that's where the similarities end.

One runs basic firmware and handles only EPUB files. The other packs full Android with access to every reading app you can think of. One costs less than a nice dinner. The other starts at $200.

Your choice comes down to what you actually need from an e-reader.

This breakdown covers the real differences between these devices. From display quality and software capabilities to price and daily usability. You'll know which one matches your reading habits by the end.

Hardware & Display Specifications

Size matters when you're choosing a pocket e-reader. The X4 measures 114 × 69 × 5.9 mm and weighs just 74 grams. That's smaller than most smartphones. The Palma is significantly larger at 159 x 80 x 8.0mm and weighs 170 grams.

The display differences are substantial. You get a 4.3-inch screen with 220 PPI resolution on the X4. The Palma offers a 6.13-inch HD Carta 1200 screen with 300 PPI resolution. Sharper text, more reading space, but less pocket-friendly.

How you control these devices differs completely. The X4 uses only physical buttons, no touchscreen. You navigate entirely through button presses. The Palma gives you both capacitive touch input and physical buttons. More flexibility, but also more complexity.

Screen technology favors the Palma. Its Carta 1200 panel delivers 20% faster response time and 15% higher contrast than older Carta 1000 displays. The Palma also includes adjustable front lighting with warm and cold temperature settings. The X4 has no built-in lighting.

Battery capacity shows the biggest hardware gap. The X4 contains a 650mAh battery that lasts up to 14 days. The Palma packs a 3,950mAh Li-ion Polymer battery, six times larger. Storage follows the same pattern: 32GB via microSD card for the X4 versus 128GB built-in storage plus 6GB RAM for the Palma.

These aren't just numbers. They reflect completely different philosophies about what an e-reader should be.

Software & Reading Features

Here's where these devices split completely.

The Boox Palma runs Android 11 (or Android 13 in newer models) with full Google Play Store access. You can download Kindle, Kobo, Libby, or any reading app you prefer. The X4 operates on an ESP32 microcontroller with basic functionality at best.

File format support tells the story clearly. The X4 handles only EPUB, TXT, JPG, and BMP files. The Palma supports 20+ document formats including PDF, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, AZW3, MOBI, DOC, DOCX, and more. Both require DRM-free content for sideloading, but the Palma sidesteps this through app downloads.

Getting books onto these devices works differently too. The X4 requires removing the microSD card to load books, though WiFi transfer is available. The Palma offers BOOXDrop for wireless transfers, cloud storage integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, plus standard USB connectivity.

The X4 community has developed alternative firmware options like CrossPoint Reader and Papyrix. These expand functionality beyond the limited stock software with improved text formatting, additional language support, and better EPUB handling.

Customization options favor the Palma significantly. You get font styles, spacing, margins, and refresh modes. The X4 offers only two preinstalled fonts with limited formatting options.

The software gap is massive. One device gives you access to your entire digital library. The other requires workarounds for basic reading tasks.

Price, Value & Which One to Buy

The numbers tell the story here. X4 costs $69 direct from Xteink or as low as $44 on AliExpress. Palma pricing starts at $199.99 for the original, jumps to $269.99 for the Palma 2, and reaches $399.99 for the Palma 2 Pro.

That's not just a price difference. It's a philosophy difference.

Buy the X4 if you:

• Need extreme portability above all else
• Read mostly DRM-free EPUB files
• Don't mind physical button navigation
• Want to spend under $70
• Enjoy tinkering with custom firmware

The X4 rewards readers who embrace constraints. It's distraction-free by design. Fair warning: AliExpress units may need language switching during setup, and you can grab a magnetic cover for $9 or reading light for $10 when ordering direct.

Choose the Palma if you:

• Own books across Kindle, Kobo, and library apps
• Want touchscreen convenience
• Need full Android functionality
• Don't mind spending $200+

The Palma 2 at $270 offers better value than the Pro for most readers. You're paying for ecosystem access, not just hardware.

Here's the reality: the X4 works best when you have a DRM-free EPUB library and accept its limitations. The Palma works when you want your e-reader to handle whatever reading scenario life throws at you.

Choose based on your library, not just your budget.

Quick Reference: X4 vs Palma

Here's everything side-by-side. Scan this table to see exactly where these devices differ:

The patterns are clear. One device strips everything down to basics. The other packs in every feature you might want. Your reading habits and wallet will tell you which makes sense.

The Real Decision

The numbers make this choice simple.

The X4 works for readers who want extreme portability and don't mind limitations. EPUB-only. Physical buttons. No apps. But it costs less than most people spend on lunch for a week.

The Palma serves readers with books scattered across platforms. Kindle library. Kobo purchases. Library apps. It handles everything, but you'll pay $200+ for that flexibility.

Your choice depends on what you actually read and how much convenience matters to you. The X4 rewards minimalists who embrace constraints. The Palma rewards readers who want their device to adapt to them.

Both deliver solid reading experiences. Just very different ones.

Buy Xteink X4 from AliExpress

Buy Boox Palma 2 from Amazon

Key Takeaways

Choosing between these pocket-sized e-readers depends on your budget, reading habits, and feature priorities. Here are the essential insights to guide your decision:

• Price drives the decision: Xteink X4 costs $44-69 while Boox Palma ranges $200-400, making budget the primary differentiator.

• Software capabilities vary dramatically: X4 handles only DRM-free EPUB/TXT files, while Palma runs full Android with Google Play Store access.

• Physical trade-offs matter: X4 weighs just 74g with 4.3" screen vs Palma's 170g with 6.13" display and front lighting.

• Choose X4 for extreme portability and budget reading: Perfect for minimalists with DRM-free libraries who prefer physical buttons.

• Choose Palma for versatile multi-platform reading: Ideal if you use Kindle, Kobo, library apps, or need touchscreen functionality.

The X4 rewards simplicity and affordability, while the Palma delivers premium features and app ecosystem access. Your existing book collection and willingness to pay for advanced features should determine your choice.

View CollectionE-Readers

FAQs

Q1. Can the Xteink X4 run reading apps like Kindle or Kobo? No, the X4 cannot run reading apps. It operates on basic firmware with an ESP32 microcontroller and only supports DRM-free EPUB, TXT, JPG, and BMP files loaded via microSD card or WiFi transfer. If you need access to Kindle, Kobo, or library apps, you would need a device with full Android capabilities and Google Play Store access.

Q2. What are the main size and weight differences between these two e-readers? The Xteink X4 is significantly smaller and lighter, measuring 114 × 69 × 5.9 mm and weighing just 74 grams with a 4.3-inch screen. The Boox Palma is larger at 159 × 80 × 8.0 mm, weighs approximately 170 grams, and features a 6.13-inch display. The X4's compact size makes it extremely pocketable, while the Palma offers a more phone-sized form factor.

Q3. Does the Xteink X4 have a touchscreen? No, the X4 does not have a touchscreen. Navigation is entirely through physical buttons located at the bottom of the device. In contrast, the Boox Palma offers both capacitive touchscreen input and physical buttons, giving users multiple control options.

Q4. How does battery life compare between the two devices? The Xteink X4 has a 650mAh battery that provides up to 14 days of use, while the Boox Palma contains a much larger 3,950mAh Li-ion Polymer battery that can last 3-4 weeks. The Palma's significantly larger battery capacity reflects its more powerful hardware and additional features like front lighting and Android operating system.

Q5. Which device offers better value for budget-conscious readers? The Xteink X4 offers exceptional value for budget-conscious readers at $44-69, especially if you primarily read DRM-free EPUB files and want extreme portability. However, if you own books across multiple platforms or need app access, the Boox Palma at $200-270 provides better long-term value despite the higher upfront cost, as it eliminates the need for format conversions and offers full Android functionality.