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Choose the XTEINK X4 Pro if the smallest possible reading device is your priority. Choose the BOOX Palma 2 if Android apps and Google Play matter more than pocketability, or the Kobo Clara BW if you want a conventional six-inch reader with adjustable front lighting and waterproofing. The three devices target different definitions of “compact,” so the right alternative depends on whether you value minimum weight, app access, screen size, or protection from water.
The specifications below come from current manufacturer product pages accessed in 2026. They establish dimensions, display hardware and listed features, but they do not establish page-turn speed, long-session comfort, reliability or real-world battery life.
Quick answer: which X4 Pro alternative fits you?
| Choose this device | Best for | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| XTEINK X4 Pro | Minimum size and weight; a reader that can disappear into a small pocket | Its 4.3-inch screen is much smaller, and its listed software does not provide the Android app environment specified for the Palma 2 |
| BOOX Palma 2 | Android 13, Google Play and a phone-shaped device with a larger high-density display | At about 170 g, it weighs more than twice as much as the X4 Pro and occupies substantially more space |
| Kobo Clara BW | A familiar six-inch reading format, adjustable front light and IPX8 water resistance | It is the heaviest option here at 174 g and is not a phone-sized app platform |
For a single small-form reader, the practical choice is therefore straightforward: X4 Pro for extreme portability, Palma 2 for Android flexibility, and Clara BW for conventional e-reader ergonomics and water protection. A public reader discussion uses the wording “If you had to pick between the Kobo Clara BW and the Xteink X4 Pro for a single small form reader, which would you choose?” (Reddit discussion). That is an example of natural comparison language, not a measure of how common the question is.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat the XTEINK X4 Pro does differently
The X4 Pro is unusually small even by e-reader standards. XTEINK lists a 4.3-inch E Ink display with 800 × 480 resolution and 219 pixels per inch. The device measures 111 × 69 × 5.95 mm and weighs 72 g. Those figures make it the smallest and lightest of the three devices in this comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- BOOX Palma2 Pro Mobile ePaper eBook Reader 8G 128G 150PPI in Color Mode
The hardware is designed around carrying convenience rather than a large page. XTEINK lists a front light, touchscreen and physical buttons, so you can turn pages by touch or by pressing the controls. The supplied capacity is described as 16 GB on a microSD card, with expansion up to 256 GB. The product page lists TXT, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, JPG and PNG support. It also lists 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 1,100 mAh battery.
Its small display changes what “reading” feels like. A page contains less text than on a six-inch reader, PDFs and image-heavy documents have less room, and you may need more frequent page turns or larger type. Those are physical consequences of the 4.3-inch panel, not measured performance results.
The X4 Pro is also a file-oriented device rather than an Android app reader. A TechRadar report says the X4 Pro cannot run Kindle or Kobo apps and requires sideloading. Treat that statement as product reporting, not as the result of a controlled test. If your library depends on an app store, the Palma 2 is the more direct match; if you already have compatible files, the X4 Pro’s supported formats and microSD storage may be enough.
Specification comparison
The table separates published specifications from features that are not stated for a particular model. “Not stated” means the cited product information does not establish a comparable value; it is not a claim that the feature is absent.
| Specification | XTEINK X4 Pro | BOOX Palma 2 | Kobo Clara BW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 4.3-inch E Ink | 6.13-inch Carta 1200 | 6-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD |
| Resolution | 800 × 480 | Not stated in the cited product summary; 300 PPI listed | 1,448 × 1,072 |
| Pixel density | 219 PPI | 300 PPI | Not stated |
| Dimensions | 111 × 69 × 5.95 mm | 159 × 80 × 8 mm | 112 × 160 × 9.2 mm |
| Weight | 72 g | About 170 g | 174 g |
| Front lighting | Listed front light | Listed front lighting | Adjustable ComfortLight PRO |
| Storage | 16 GB on a microSD card; expansion up to 256 GB | 128 GB storage; microSD expansion listed | 16 GB |
| Operating system and apps | No Android app environment specified; TechRadar reports Kindle and Kobo apps cannot run | Android 13 with Google Play | Dedicated Kobo reader software; Android and Google Play are not listed |
| Battery information | 1,100 mAh | 3,950 mAh | Up to 53 days under Kobo’s stated test conditions |
| Water resistance | Not stated in the cited XTEINK specifications | Not stated in the cited BOOX specifications | IPX8, up to 60 minutes in two metres of water |
| Listed formats | TXT, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, JPG and PNG | Not stated in the cited summary | Not stated in the cited summary |
| Connectivity and ports | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth listed | MicroSD expansion listed | USB-C listed |
Sources: XTEINK X4 Pro specifications, BOOX Palma 2 specifications and Rakuten Kobo Clara BW UK product page.
Rank #2
- Screen: 6.13"" Kaleido 3 (4,096 colors) glass screen with flat cover-lens Resolution: B/W: 824 x 1648 (300ppi)
- OS: Android 15 Document Formats: PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX Image Formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF Audio Formats: WAV, MP3 Supports 3rd-party apps
- Button: Power Button with Fingerprint Recognition, Volume/Page-Turn Buttons, Smart Button USB-C Port (Supports OTG or use as an audio jack) Hybrid SIM Card Slot Built-in Speaker Built-in Dual Microphones Battery: 3,950mAh Li-ion Polymer Dimensions: 159 x 80 x 8.8 mm (6.3"" x 3.1"" x 0.35"") Weight: Approx. 175 g (6.2 oz)
- Dark, gray, or wrongfully believed low resolution screen : All Eink products used Kaleido 3 color e-ink technology, which currently has inherent limitations and share the same darker or grayer screen than LCD/LED ones. This is a characteristic of all e-ink products, not a defect. If it doesn't meet your expectations, you may return the product under our return policy. However, please note this is not considered a product fault.
BOOX Palma 2: the compact choice when apps matter
What you gain
The Palma 2 keeps a phone-like outline but uses a 6.13-inch Carta 1200 display at 300 PPI. BOOX lists dimensions of 159 × 80 × 8 mm, a weight of about 170 g, front lighting, microSD expansion, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Its operating system is Android 13 with Google Play.
That software environment is the defining reason to choose it over the X4 Pro. Google Play gives you the possibility of installing reading services and other Android applications instead of relying only on files that the device can open directly. The cited specifications establish the operating system and store access; they do not establish how quickly a particular app runs, how comfortable every app’s interface is on E Ink, or how long the battery lasts in actual use.
The Palma 2 also provides a substantially larger page. At 300 PPI, text and interface elements can be rendered with higher pixel density than the X4 Pro’s 219 PPI. The larger physical panel gives novels, comics and documents more room, although it removes much of the X4 Pro’s ultra-light advantage.
What you give up
At about 170 g, the Palma 2 weighs more than twice the X4 Pro’s 72 g. It is 159 mm tall and 80 mm wide, compared with 111 × 69 mm for the X4 Pro. It may still fit comfortably in a coat pocket or small bag, but it is not an equivalent substitute for the smallest possible reader.
BOOX’s listed battery capacity is 3,950 mAh, compared with 1,100 mAh for the X4 Pro. Capacity alone cannot predict runtime: Android software, wireless use, front-light brightness and individual applications all affect consumption. No independent battery test is established here.
Rank #3
- Select Refresh Mode to reduce ghosting: HD Mode (System Default): For reading books and other static content. Balanced Mode (Default for third-party apps in color E Ink models): For turning pages and browsing books and pictures. Fast Mode (Default for third-party apps in monochrome E Ink models): For browsing websites and other content that require scrolling. Ultrafast Mode: For video and other dynamic contents. *Regal Mode: As a refresh solution with less ghosting and better display quality especially optimized for color E Ink models.
- Screen: 10.3" HD ePaper glass screen with flat cover-lens Resolution: 2480x1860 (300 ppi) Touch: BOOX InkSense Plus stylus touch (4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity) + capacitive touch
- CPU: Octa-core RAM: 4GB ROM: 64GB Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz) + BT 5.1 G-sensor for Auto Rotation Front Light with CTM (Warm and Cold)
- OS: Android 15 Document Formats: PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX Image Formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF Audio Formats: WAV, MP3 Supports 3rd-party apps
- Button: Power Button USB-C Port (Supports OTG or use as an audio jack) Built-in Dual Speakers Built-in Microphone Battery: 3,700mAh Li-ion Polymer Dimensions: 235*183*4.8mm (9.3" x 7.2" x 0.19") Weight: Approx. 364g (12.8oz)
Who should buy it?
- Choose the Palma 2 if you need Kindle, Kobo or other Android reading services installed through Google Play.
- Choose it if 300-PPI text and a six-inch-class page are more important than a 72 g carry weight.
- Choose it if 128 GB storage and listed microSD expansion better fit a mixed library of books, documents and media.
Do not choose it solely because it looks like a phone. Its advantages come from the Android software platform and larger display, while its size and weight remain much closer to a small tablet than to the X4 Pro.
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What you gain
The Clara BW uses a six-inch E Ink Carta 1300 HD touchscreen with 1,448 × 1,072 resolution. Kobo lists 16 GB of storage, USB-C, adjustable ComfortLight PRO front lighting and IPX8 water resistance. The device measures 112 × 160 × 9.2 mm and weighs 174 g.
This is the most conventional reading experience of the three on paper. Its six-inch page is close to the format many readers expect from a dedicated e-reader, while the adjustable front light is intended for changing ambient conditions. The IPX8 rating is specified as protection for up to 60 minutes in two metres of water. That makes the Clara BW the only option in this comparison with a published waterproof rating.
Battery claim and its limits
Kobo states a maximum battery duration of 53 days under its own test conditions: 30 minutes of reading per day, front light at 10% brightness, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. This is a manufacturer estimate for that usage pattern, not a universal expectation. Longer sessions, wireless connections, higher lighting levels and other activity can reduce runtime.
What you give up
The Clara BW weighs 174 g, slightly more than the Palma 2 and 102 g more than the X4 Pro. Its 112 × 160 mm body is also much taller than the X4 Pro. If your definition of compact means “small enough for a bag while retaining a normal reading page,” that trade-off may be worthwhile; if it means “barely noticeable in a pocket,” it is the wrong direction.
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Rank #4
- Screen: 6.13"" Kaleido 3 (4,096 colors) glass screen with flat cover-lens Resolution: B/W: 824 x 1648 (300ppi) Color: 412 x 824 (150ppi) Touch: Capative touch CPU: Octa-core + BSR RAM: 8GB ROM: 128GB Connectivity: Wi-Fi + BT 5.1 Front Light with CTM (Warm and Cold) G-sensor for Auto Rotation Light Sensor 16MP Rear Camera with LED Flash
- OS: Android 15 Document Formats: PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, PPTX Image Formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF Audio Formats: WAV, MP3 Supports 3rd-party apps
- Button: Power Button with Fingerprint Recognition, Volume/Page-Turn Buttons, Smart Button USB-C Port (Supports OTG or use as an audio jack) Hybrid SIM Card Slot Built-in Speaker Built-in Dual Microphones Battery: 3,950mAh Li-ion Polymer Dimensions: 159 x 80 x 8.8 mm (6.3"" x 3.1"" x 0.35"") Weight: Approx. 175 g (6.2 oz)
- Dark, gray, or wrongfully believed low resolution screen : All Eink products used Kaleido 3 color e-ink technology, which currently has inherent limitations and share the same darker or grayer screen than LCD/LED ones. This is a characteristic of all e-ink products, not a defect. If it doesn't meet your expectations, you may return the product under our return policy. However, please note this is not considered a product fault.
The cited Clara BW page does not describe Android, Google Play or a list of supported file formats in the supplied specifications. Therefore, do not treat it as an Android alternative to the Palma 2 or assume a particular third-party app workflow from the hardware details alone.
Who should buy it?
- Choose the Clara BW for novels and general reading on a familiar six-inch display.
- Choose it when adjustable front lighting and a published IPX8 rating matter more than minimum weight.
- Choose it for use around pools, beaches or baths when the stated two-metre, 60-minute water-resistance limit matches your risk tolerance.
How the three devices differ in everyday decisions
If pocketability is non-negotiable
The X4 Pro is the clear winner by published dimensions and weight: 72 g, 111 × 69 × 5.95 mm. Neither the Palma 2 nor the Clara BW approaches that mass. A small screen is the price of that portability, so inspect the type size and document formats you expect to use before treating the X4 Pro as your only reader.
If you need a reading app rather than a file
The Palma 2 is the only device here whose cited specifications explicitly include Android 13 and Google Play. The X4 Pro’s listed formats are useful for compatible local files, but TechRadar reports that Kindle and Kobo apps cannot run on it and that sideloading is required. The Clara BW is a dedicated Kobo device, not a listed Android platform. Select according to how your books arrive: app-based services favor the Palma 2, while a file-based library can fit the X4 Pro’s stated capabilities.
If page size matters more than carrying weight
The Palma 2’s 6.13-inch display and Clara BW’s six-inch display are roughly one-and-a-half times the X4 Pro’s diagonal measurement. Diagonal size does not describe every aspect of reading comfort, but it does indicate substantially more physical room for text. The Clara BW supplies 1,448 × 1,072 pixels; the Palma 2 lists 300 PPI; and the X4 Pro lists 800 × 480 pixels at 219 PPI.
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If you read near water
Only the Clara BW has a published water-resistance rating in the cited material: IPX8 for up to 60 minutes in two metres of water. No equivalent rating is stated for the X4 Pro or Palma 2 on the cited product information. Do not infer water protection from a device’s front light, touchscreen or sealed appearance.
Best Value
- Palma 2 Pro Magnetic Case
If storage and expansion are decisive
The X4 Pro includes 16 GB on a microSD card and supports expansion up to 256 GB. The Palma 2 lists 128 GB of storage and microSD expansion. The Clara BW lists 16 GB and USB-C, but expandable storage is not stated in the cited page. XTEINK does not identify a tested microSD card model, so treat the 256 GB figure as the manufacturer’s expansion limit rather than a recommendation for a particular card.
Choosing by reading workflow
Mostly novels in compatible files
Start with the X4 Pro if your books are already available in its listed TXT, EPUB or MOBI formats and you value carrying less than a phone. Its physical buttons can be useful when you want to turn pages without tapping the screen. The small panel may still push you toward larger text or more frequent page turns.
Mixed apps, services and documents
Start with the Palma 2 when your reading life spans several Android applications or services. Its 6.13-inch, 300-PPI display gives documents more room than the X4 Pro, while Google Play reduces the need to convert every source into a local file. App compatibility and performance vary by application; the published specification alone cannot guarantee a smooth experience.
One dedicated reader for normal daily use
Start with the Clara BW when you want a conventional six-inch screen, adjustable front light and water resistance without managing an Android environment. Its 174 g weight is considerably higher than the X4 Pro’s, but the larger page and IPX8 rating address priorities the tiny device does not.
Evidence limits, availability and buying cautions
All numerical comparisons in this guide are published specifications or a manufacturer battery estimate. No hands-on testing was performed for page-turn responsiveness, front-light uniformity, ghosting, comfort, software reliability or real-world battery duration. Those qualities can materially change the buying decision, so do not treat the tables as a performance ranking.
Prices, stock and regional bundles are not established here. Kobo’s cited page is the UK product page, so availability and included accessories may differ elsewhere. Check the manufacturer page for your country before ordering, and confirm storage, warranty and return terms at the point of purchase.
For the X4 Pro, verify how your preferred books will reach the device before buying. The listed formats and microSD support do not imply that every store’s protected content can be opened. For the Palma 2, verify that the specific applications you need remain compatible with its Android 13 software and E Ink interface. For the Clara BW, confirm that your library and file-transfer expectations match Kobo’s dedicated-reader workflow.
Decision checklist
- Weight: Is 72 g essential, or is roughly 170–174 g acceptable?
- Screen: Will a 4.3-inch page work for your eyesight, PDFs and preferred type size?
- Apps: Do you need Google Play, or are compatible local files sufficient?
- Lighting: Is a listed front light enough, or do you want Clara BW’s adjustable ComfortLight PRO?
- Water: Do you require a stated IPX8 rating?
- Storage: Do you need the X4 Pro’s stated 256 GB expansion limit or Palma 2’s listed 128 GB storage?
- Evidence: Are you comfortable making the decision from specifications, or should you wait to assess independent tests for comfort and responsiveness?
Bottom line
The XTEINK X4 Pro remains the best fit when “compact” means exceptionally small and light: 4.3 inches and 72 g. The BOOX Palma 2 is the strongest alternative when Android 13, Google Play and a larger 300-PPI display outweigh the loss of pocketability. The Kobo Clara BW is the better alternative for a normal six-inch reading page, adjustable front lighting and published IPX8 protection. None is universally best; each solves a different problem, and the specifications point to the right choice more reliably than a generic compact-reader ranking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
