TCL’s Nxtpaper technology has evolved significantly, offering a compelling alternative to traditional OLED screens. At MWC 2025, TCL showcased the latest iterations of this technology in the TCL 60 XE smartphone and Nxtpaper 11 Plus tablet, both slated for release in the U.S. later this year. This innovative display technology offers a unique blend of eye comfort, reduced blue light, and minimal glare, making it worth a closer look.
A person holding the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper.
TCL 60 XE: Seamless Mode Switching
The TCL 60 XE boasts the third-generation Nxtpaper display, offering distinct modes to cater to different usage scenarios. Color Paper provides a vibrant, full-color experience, while Max Ink delivers a monochrome, e-paper-like aesthetic. The newly introduced Ink Paper mode sits between the two, presenting a muted color palette. Switching between modes is now incredibly convenient thanks to a dedicated Nxtpaper key on the phone’s side. This allows for instant transitions between two pre-selected modes or access to the full mode menu.
The Nxtpaper key on the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper .
This ease of use encourages maximizing the Nxtpaper’s efficiency. Switching to monochrome significantly extends battery life, ideal for text-based tasks. In full-color mode, the display performs like a standard OLED, with vibrant visuals, wide viewing angles, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Video playing on the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper phone.
Nxtpaper 11 Plus: Enhanced Visuals and Eye Comfort
The Nxtpaper 11 Plus tablet features the fourth-generation Nxtpaper display. Improvements include enhanced contrast, deeper blacks, and increased vibrancy compared to the third generation. Blurring observed in fast-paced videos on the phone is also less noticeable on the tablet.
The TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus tablet
TCL has introduced two new eye comfort features with Nxtpaper 4.0: Screen Eye Comfort Mode and Personalized Eye Comfort Mode. The former dynamically adjusts screen parameters like brightness, contrast, color temperature, and refresh rate based on ambient lighting and usage patterns. The latter uses a series of test images to optimize the display for individual vision needs.
TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus Nxtpaper Key.
Mode switching on the tablet, however, is less intuitive than on the phone, relying on a multi-function power button with single, double, and long-press actions.
TCL 60 XE and Nxtpaper 11 Plus: Specifications and Features
The TCL 60 XE features a 6.78-inch Nxtpaper display, runs on Android 15 with minimal TCL customization, and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also includes a 50MP main camera, a 5MP wide-angle lens, a 2MP depth sensor, a MicroSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Ink Paper mode on the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper .
The Nxtpaper 11 Plus boasts an 11.5-inch, 120Hz Nxtpaper display, runs Android, and is driven by a MediaTek Helio G100 processor. It offers a substantial 8,000mAh battery, 256GB of storage, and compatibility with various accessories, including a case and stylus.
The TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper and the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus.
Nxtpaper: Bridging the Gap Between E-readers and Traditional Displays
The convenience of Nxtpaper technology is a key differentiator. Its ability to seamlessly transition between a full-color display and an e-paper-like experience reduces the need for multiple devices. The Nxtpaper 11 Plus, in particular, has the potential to replace both an e-reader and a laptop for many users.
The TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper and the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus.
This versatility, combined with the minimal drawbacks of the Nxtpaper screen, presents a compelling proposition. While long-term performance and camera quality remain to be fully assessed, the Nxtpaper technology showcases impressive potential.
Color Paper mode on the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper.
TCL plans to launch the 60 XE in the U.S. around June 2025, with a price range of $250-$300. The Nxtpaper 11 Plus is expected around the same time, priced at approximately $250.
