The Custom Firmware That Finally Unleashes the XTEINK X4 Pro
The ultra-compact e-reader market is fiercely competitive, but the brand-new XTEINK X4 Pro has carved out a unique space. It is a micro-sized powerhouse, built to be the perfect dedicated reading companion to a primary device—like the Bigme HiBreak Pro Color. But as any enthusiast knows, capable hardware is only half the battle. Out of the box, the X4 Pro’s stock firmware leaves a lot to be desired. Enter CrossPoint, a custom operating system that transforms this compromised reader into an absolute necessity.
Let us look at why the current Beta 4 release of CrossPoint is an essential upgrade for the X4 Pro.
Fixing the Fundamentals: Typography and Syncing
The most glaring issue with the XTEINK X4 Pro’s original firmware is its handling of international languages. If you read outside of English—specifically in languages like Swedish—the text formatting is frankly unacceptable. The hyphenation is broken, and the layout feels chaotic. CrossPoint instantly remedies this. Booting up a Swedish novel on the new beta reveals gorgeous, properly formatted text with zero hyphenation errors. It is a night-and-day difference that makes reading in local languages genuinely enjoyable.
Beyond typography, CrossPoint brings KOReader sync to the table. The original firmware locks you out of this beloved ecosystem, but with CrossPoint, syncing your reading progress across all your devices works flawlessly. It even restores the simple joy of displaying your current book cover on the sleep screen—a feature bafflingly absent from the stock OS.
Illuminating the Hardware: Lighting and Layers
Adding a front light and a touch layer to a micro-sized e-ink screen is always a balancing act. Because of those extra layers, the X4 Pro’s display isn't quite as starkly white or crisp as the base X4 or X3 models. However, it remains a stunning display compared to other lit e-readers on the market.
Where CrossPoint truly excels is in granular light control. The stock firmware’s lowest brightness setting can feel blinding in a pitch-black room. CrossPoint significantly lowers that floor. Dialing the front light down to 5% or 6% provides the perfect, subtle illumination for late-night reading. You also get full access to warm lighting controls and a true dark mode for those who prefer white text on a black background.
The Quirk of Touch and Buttons
The X4 Pro features physical page-turn buttons, but their placement—directly mirroring each other at the same height on both edges—is not ideal. A rocker design on one side, similar to the older X4, would have offered a much more ergonomic one-handed grip.
CrossPoint navigates this hardware limitation by offering excellent touch controls. Tapping the sides of the screen to flip pages is remarkably fast and responsive. Unfortunately, the beta currently lacks swipe-to-turn functionality; you can only tap to change pages, though you can still swipe to back out of system menus.
CrossPoint makes up for this minor setback with deep customization. If you prefer to grip the device tightly, resting your thumbs directly on the display, you can completely disable the touch reader controls. This locks page-turning exclusively to the physical buttons, preventing accidental jumps while keeping the home button functional.
The Verdict: An Essential Upgrade
Despite being in its fourth beta, CrossPoint feels like mandatory software. By installing it, the XTEINK X4 Pro finally lives up to the promise of its micro-sized form factor, becoming the ultimate library in your pocket.
CrossPoint Beta 4 on XTEINK X4 Pro: At a Glance
Key Takeaways:
Network Flexibility: Connect via Wi-Fi, tether to your phone's hotspot, or use Calibre wireless seamlessly.
Sun Fading Quirks: Some minor sun fading in direct sunlight.
Disable Touch on Demand: A standout feature allowing you to rest fingers directly on the screen without triggering page turns.
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