Android-based eReaders that fit in a pocket continue to multiply, and the latest entry comes from a Chinese AI company better known for voice tech than hardware. The iFlytek Fika crams a 6.13 inch E Ink Carta 1300 touchscreen, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage into a chassis that measures 159.4 x 80.3 x 6.7 mm (6.3 x 3.2 x 0.3 inches) and weighs 140 grams (4.9 ounces).
The Android 15 base is the part worth dwelling on for anyone tired of Amazon's walled garden. Unlike a Kindle or most Kobo hardware, an open Android device with sideloading available can run FOSS readers like KOReader, sync libraries through Calibre or a self-hosted Komga server, and host whatever audiobook or RSS app a user prefers. The Fika ships with a vendor skin tuned for reading, but the underlying OS keeps the door open for the kind of customization that made the Onyx BOOX Palma line popular with self-hosters.
Hardware-wise, the Fika runs on an unspecified 6 nm MediaTek octa-core SoC, drives the 300 PPI panel with an adjustable front light, and is fed by a 2580 mAh battery. Connectivity covers WiFi 6, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, and a 4G modem that handles data only. There is no headphone jack, so wired audio for the built-in text-to-speech function requires a dongle. A dedicated side button summons an AI Reading Assistant, in keeping with iFlytek's day job in speech and language models.
The Fika lands in a category that barely existed before the Onyx BOOX Palma popularized phone-shaped E Ink readers in 2023. It now sits alongside the Palma 2, the DuRoBo Krono, and the Viwoods AiPaper, all of which share the 6.13 inch display size. iFlytek has not yet announced international pricing or availability, but the device is expected to launch in China soon.
