I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader.

I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader.

      It was my first opportunity to see a TCL Nxtpaper screen up close, and if someone had told me it was just a typical OLED screen, I would have believed it. This illustrates how much progress this relatively new technology has made and why it deserves your attention. During MWC 2025, I tried the new TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper smartphone and the Nxtpaper 11 Plus tablet, both of which will be available in the U.S. later this year. Here’s what makes the screen technology so intriguing.

      Using the TCL 60 XE

      TCL's Nxtpaper display is quite distinctive. It aims to minimize eye strain, reduce blue light emissions, and lessen glare, with the ability to switch between a vibrant full color mode called Color Paper and a monochrome mode referred to as Max Ink, resembling e-paper. Additionally, there’s a new intermediate mode called Ink Paper that presents softer colors. Previously, switching modes involved navigating through the Settings menu, which was cumbersome and made it less likely for users to take advantage of the options.

      However, the TCL 60 XE has made this process more user-friendly. A convenient Nxtpaper button is located on the side of the phone, allowing users to instantly toggle between two modes or access a menu to select their preferred screen type. Changing modes is a quick process, and the transformation of the display is quite magical to witness. It’s a feature I found myself wanting to use just for the captivating animation.

      The ease of switching modes enables users to maximize the efficiency of the Nxtpaper display. When you select the monochrome mode, battery life immediately improves, while still allowing for comfortable use for reading and text-centric activities. In full color mode, the screen’s performance mimics that of a conventional OLED: it displays videos beautifully, offers a wide viewing angle, and features a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making it gentle on the eyes.

      Using the Nxtpaper 11 Plus

      The TCL 60 XE smartphone showcases the third generation of Nxtpaper technology, while the Nxtpaper 11 Plus tablet features the fourth generation. The differences may not be immediately apparent, but when viewed side-by-side with the phone, it becomes clear that the tablet boasts better contrast, deeper blacks, and a hint more vibrancy. The smartphone can experience some blurring during fast-moving video playback, which was less noticeable on the tablet.

      The tablet shares the same screen modes as the smartphone, but TCL has introduced two new features with the Nxtpaper 4.0 screen: Screen Eye Comfort Mode and Personalized Eye Comfort Mode. The former tailors brightness, contrast, color temperature, and refresh rate based on the user’s environment and usage, while the latter optimizes the display using a series of test images tailored to the user’s vision.

      Interestingly, the tablet doesn't feature a dedicated button for switching modes. Instead, it has added this function to the already busy power button, which is less intuitive. This button can handle single, double, and long presses, allowing access to AI functions and app assignments. The button is surrounded by a pleasant glowing light ring that indicates it has registered your press, though it doesn’t always respond as expected.

      Specifications of TCL 60 XE and Nxtpaper 11 Plus

      I appreciated the simplicity of switching between modes, and the Max Ink mode delivers a paper-like appearance; particularly, the tablet’s low-glare matte finish makes it a pleasure to read for long periods. This is a significant reason I was impressed. The TCL Nxtpaper screen now rivals OLED displays but can effortlessly switch to an e-paper mode with a single action. The Amazon Kindle might need to be cautious.

      The screen is what sets the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper apart, while the rest of its specifications align with the mid-range category. It features a 6.78-inch display running Android 15—largely free of TCL's bloatware—and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The rear has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 5MP wide-angle camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. Notably, it retains some unique features for 2025, including a MicroSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

      The TCL 60 XE measures 8.1mm thick and weighs 195 grams, making it portable. The Nxtpaper 11 Plus tablet has an 11.5-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, also operating Android similarly to the phone, and it uses a different MediaTek chip, the Helio G100. It houses an impressive 8,000mAh battery and provides 256GB of storage. It is compatible with various accessories, including a case and a stylus.

      Reasons to Consider Buying

      What I value about the Nxtpaper screens is their practicality

I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader. I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader. I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader. I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader. I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader. I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader. I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader.

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I utilized TCL's Nxtpaper display technology, and it's prepared to take the place of your e-reader.

I had the opportunity to try out TCL's latest Nxtpaper screen technology on both a phone and a tablet, and I was truly impressed by the improvements.