Comparing TCL phones: which models have an NXTPAPER screen?

What is NXTPAPER and how does it work?

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

Please 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

• Matt nano-etching: the glass has been roughened at the nanoscale, causing light to be scattered rather than reflected. Outdoors, you can no longer see your own face in the screen and text remains legible.
• Circularly polarised light: the screen mimics how daylight falls on paper, rather than shining directly into your eyes. That is the main reason why 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 colours remain accurate. TCL thus reduces blue light to just a few per cent.
• DC dimming instead of PWM: the screen dims without flickering on and off hundreds of times per second. If you usually 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 quality mark 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 per cent. That was a demonstration model, so for the time being you’ll find the LCD version in shops.

Three modes at the touch of the NXTPAPER button

The latest NXTPAPER models feature a separate physical button next to the power button. This allows you to switch instantly between three modes, without having to go through the settings first. Older and cheaper NXTPAPER handsets use an earlier generation of the technology and do not have this button.

• Colour Paper: standard colour display, just more subdued and less vibrant than you’re used to. This is the mode you’ll use for everyday phone use.
• Ink Paper: muted colours and greater 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 in peace.

How does this help you in practice?

The benefit comes into its own during the hours when a phone is normally most tiring on the eyes. If you read long passages every day, study from your screen or have a quick scroll in bed in the evening, then 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 mode as it is an eye-comfort feature: no colour, no distractions, no notifications.

From TV manufacturer to phone brand

TCL is a Chinese electronics giant best known for its televisions and which manufactures its own screen panels. That explains why this particular brand builds its phones around the display: here, the screen is not a purchased component but the core business.

Not everyone in the Netherlands is familiar with the name, but the manufacturer behind it has been around for decades. For many years, TCL manufactured Alcatel phones and, between 2016 and 2020, also produced the Android devices from BlackBerry. So it is by no means a fly-by-night brand, although its range here is smaller than that of the big names.

What are TCL’s strengths?

The screen is the standout feature; 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 need to be aware of before you buy.

• Update policy: TCL generally promises two to three years of updates. That’s rather meagre 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 haven’t chosen yourself, and not all of them can be uninstalled. Expect to spend half an hour clearing them out after unpacking.
• Performance: the processors are mid-range and sometimes lag behind competitors in the same price bracket. It’s more than adequate 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.
• Colour and sharpness: on the NXTPAPER models, the matt finish makes the image slightly less vibrant than on a glossy OLED screen. You’ll notice this when watching films or playing games.
• No e-ink: the panel remains backlit, so you won’t get the weeks of battery life offered by a proper e-reader, even with Max Ink.

Which TCL is right for you?

The range here is straightforward. Broadly speaking, there are three options, and only one of them features a paper-like screen.

• With an NXTPAPER screen:
  the NXTPAPER 70 Pro is the model here featuring the paper-like display technology, including the physical three-position button and support for a pressure-sensitive stylus. 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 model for those simply looking for a phone that works.
• Long battery life:
  the K70 Power 4G lasts for several days on a single charge. This is useful if you’re often on the move or don’t fancy charging it every evening.

What should you look out for with a TCL?

• Does the name include ‘NXTPAPER’?: that’s the only way to be sure you’re getting the paper-like screen. The rest of the range has a standard screen, however affordable the device may be.
• Which generation of NXTPAPER: only the latest models feature the physical button with Colour 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 come in both versions. If you mainly make calls and use messaging apps, and rely on Wi-Fi at home, you needn’t spend too long deliberating over 4G.
• Screen size: NXTPAPER devices are large, measuring up to over seven inches. Great for reading, but do check whether it fits in your trouser pocket.
• Stylus or no stylus: only the Pro models work with the pressure-sensitive stylus. If you want to take notes, bear this in mind before ordering.