Comparing TCL phones: Which models have an NXTPAPER display?

What is NXTPAPER and how does it work?

NXTPAPER is TCL’s display technology that makes the image look like it’s on paper without using e-ink. You still get color, video, and a smooth display, but the glare, flicker, and bright blue light have been eliminated. Unlike a matte screen protector or a software-based night mode, this feature is built right into the panel itself.

Note: NXTPAPER is a separate product line and not a feature of the entire brand. Most TCL phones have a standard LCD screen and are simply affordable Android devices. If you want the paper-like screen, the model name must include “NXTPAPER.”

The four layers that make the difference

• Matte nano-etching: The glass has been roughened at the nanoscale, causing light to scatter rather than reflect. Outdoors, you won’t see your own face reflected in the screen, and text remains readable.
• Circularly polarized light: The screen mimics how daylight falls on paper, rather than shining directly into your eyes. That’s the main reason the image feels soothing.
• Hardware-based blue light filter: multiple nanolayers filter out the blue light peak. A software filter turns your screen yellow; here, the colors remain accurate. TCL reduces blue light to just a few percent.
• DC dimming instead of PWM: the screen dims without flickering on and off hundreds of times per second. If you normally experience eye strain or headaches with a dimmed OLED screen, this is where NXTPAPER comes out on top for you.

These claims have been independently verified: the latest NXTPAPER devices carry a TÜV Rheinland Flicker-Free certificate and an SGS certification for low visual fatigue. At the MWC in March 2026, TCL demonstrated the technology for the first time on an OLED panel, with a peak brightness of 3,200 nits and a blue light percentage of 2.9 percent. That was a demo model, so for now, you’ll find the LCD version in stores.

Three modes with a single press of the NXTPAPER button

The latest NXTPAPER models feature a separate physical button next to the power button. This lets you switch instantly between three modes without having to go through the settings first. Older and less expensive NXTPAPER devices use an earlier generation of the technology and lack that button.

• Color Paper: standard color display, but with a matte finish and softer tones than you’re used to. This is the mode you’ll use for everyday phone use.
• Ink Paper: muted colors and higher contrast, designed for long blocks of text and e-books.
• Max Ink: black and white, with all distractions removed and only the apps you allow. Your phone turns into an e-reader that’s much more energy-efficient and leaves you undisturbed.

How does this help you in practice?

The benefit comes into play during the hours when a phone is normally the most tiring to use. If you read long passages every day, study from your screen, or scroll through your phone for a bit in bed at night, this is exactly what NXTPAPER is designed for. Outdoors, you don’t need to turn the brightness up as high, which saves battery life. And Max Ink is just as much a focus button as it is an eye-comfort feature: no color, no distractions, no notifications.

From TV Manufacturer to Phone Brand

TCL is a Chinese electronics giant best known for televisions and for manufacturing its own screen panels. That explains why this brand, of all brands, builds its phones around the display: here, the screen isn’t a purchased component but the core business.

Not everyone in the Netherlands is familiar with the name, but the company behind it has been around for decades. For years, TCL manufactured Alcatel phones and, between 2016 and 2020, also built the Android devices from BlackBerry. So it’s not just a one-off brand, even though its lineup here is smaller than that of the big names.

What does TCL excel at?

The screen is its strong point; the rest of the device is not. That’s no surprise for a brand in the entry-level and mid-range segments, but it’s something you should know before you buy.

• Update policy: TCL typically promises two to three years of updates. That’s meager compared to the six or seven years other manufacturers now commit to. Check the specific promises for each device.
• Pre-installed Apps: Recent models come with a hefty load of apps you didn’t choose yourself, and not all of them can be uninstalled. Expect to spend half an hour cleaning things up after unboxing.
• Performance: The processors are mid-range and sometimes lag behind competitors in the same price range. It’s more than enough for reading, streaming, navigation, and social media, but not for demanding games.
• Cameras: Usable in good light, but that’s about it. There’s no telephoto lens, so zooming is done digitally, which noticeably reduces image quality. If you take a lot of photos, this isn’t the brand for you.
• Color and Sharpness: On the NXTPAPER models, the matte finish makes the image slightly less vivid than on a glossy OLED screen. You’ll notice this when watching movies or playing games.
• No e-ink: The panel remains backlit, so you won’t get the weeks of battery life you’d get from a true e-reader, even with Max Ink.

Which TCL is right for you?

The selection here is straightforward. Broadly speaking, there are three categories, and only one of them features a paper-like display.

• With an NXTPAPER screen:
  the NXTPAPER 70 Pro is the model here that features the paper-like display technology, including a physical three-position button and support for a pressure-sensitive pen. This is the reason to choose TCL.
• The K70 series:
  standard Android phones with a regular display, available in 4G and 5G versions. The K70 SE is the entry-level option for those simply looking for a phone that works.
• Long battery life:
  the K70 Power 4G lasts several days on a single charge. This is great if you’re on the go a lot or don’t feel like charging it every night.

What should you look for in a TCL?

• Does the name include “NXTPAPER”?: That’s the only way to be sure you’re getting the paper-like display. The rest of the lineup has a standard display, no matter how affordable the device may be.
• Which generation of NXTPAPER: only the latest models have the physical button with Color Paper, Ink Paper, and Max Ink. If eye comfort is at the top of your list, check whether the device has that button.
• 4G or 5G: Some models are available in both versions. If you mainly make calls and use messaging apps and rely on Wi-Fi at home, you don’t need to think twice about 4G.
• Screen size: NXTPAPER devices are large, up to over seven inches. Great for reading, but be sure to check if it fits in your pants pocket.
• Pen or no pen: Only the Pro models work with the pressure-sensitive pen. If you want to take notes, keep that in mind before you order.