My sleek black iPhone 16 Pro Max fits perfectly in my hand, boasting cutting-edge features that make it one of the top smartphones in late 2024. However, not everyone is looking for a phone with all the bells and whistles. For those seeking an Android phone with 5G capabilities, long battery life, a pleasing display, and ample storage, there’s a surprising alternative that doesn’t come from the usual suspects like Samsung or Google.
In 2021, TCL introduced Nxtpaper technology, which offers a unique display experience resembling paper for smartphones and tablets. With the recent release of products like the Nxtpaper 12 Pro and the TCL Nxtpaper 11, I was intrigued by the technology and decided to explore it further.
A Closer Look at the TCL 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G
Enter the TCL 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G, an affordable Android smartphone designed for visual comfort. This 6.5-inch device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, houses a 5000mAh battery, offers 4GB of RAM, and provides 128GB of onboard storage, expandable up to 2TB with a microSD card. Running on Android 14, TCL promises two additional Android updates and three years of security patches.
On the camera front, the 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G sports a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, there’s an 8MP front-facing camera.
While these specs may not dazzle those searching for a high-end device, they offer a solid set of features for a budget-conscious audience. The device’s chipset delivers reliable performance, and the cameras capture decent photos. Additionally, the inclusion of a microSD slot is a welcome sight for users. However, my focus isn’t on these typical features but rather on the innovative Nxtpaper technology and its potential.
Exploring Nxtpaper Technology
Nxtpaper represents a revolutionary display solution that combines the natural feel of paper with digital advancements, offering a sustainable and user-friendly design. It aims to deliver a reading experience akin to traditional paper while addressing screen-related issues like eye strain and high energy consumption.
Unlike e-paper displays found in e-readers such as the Kindle, Nxtpaper provides a full-color display experience with faster refresh rates, accommodating a range of dynamic content beyond text, including videos and interactive apps.
The key innovation of Nxtpaper lies in its light and color management. By reflecting light instead of emitting it like LCD or OLED screens, Nxtpaper mimics how natural light interacts with paper, reducing eye strain and enhancing overall comfort during extended screen use.
Moreover, Nxtpaper boasts environmental advantages by leveraging natural light and conserving energy, thereby extending device lifespan and minimizing electronic waste.
Advantages of TCL’s Nxtpaper Screen
Upon using the 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G display, I was immediately struck by its sharpness and clarity, resembling a finely crafted page depending on the wallpaper. Despite offering a more limited color palette than traditional displays, Nxtpaper manages to make colors vibrant. TCL includes built-in enhancements for color, contrast, and sharpness, which you can disable, though I found little difference when turning them off.
The true strength of Nxtpaper becomes evident when reading text, offering a superior experience similar to e-ink but enhanced. By enabling reading and eye comfort display modes, the screen becomes optimized for extended reading sessions and mitigates eye strain with blue light reduction and color temperature adjustments.
While I had reservations about Nxtpaper’s performance with videos, I was pleasantly surprised to find YouTube videos crystal clear without any display issues.
My nightly routine often involves browsing the web on my iPad Pro before bed. Determining the right time to stop depends on my eye strain, which varies. To test the Nxtpaper phone, I used it instead of my iPad for three nights, recording when I went to sleep compared to the previous week. The results were astounding: I stayed up an average of 35 minutes longer using the Nxtpaper phone. Although this might differ slightly with a tablet-sized Nxtpaper device, the impact on eye comfort was significant.
The energy-efficient design of Nxtpaper in the TCL 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G contributes to an extended battery life optimized for reading. TCL guarantees a full day of use between charges under regular conditions. In my testing over three days, with around six hours of daily usage, I achieved approximately 30 hours before needing to recharge. This impressive endurance left me impressed.
Areas for Nxtpaper Improvement
The primary drawback I encountered with the Nxtpaper display was its subdued vibrancy and sharpness compared to traditional LCD or OLED screens. While this was acceptable for reading and video consumption, gaming experiences were less immersive. I also observed occasional lags when scrolling through social media feeds like X (formerly Twitter), potentially attributed to the display’s performance despite the respectable 90Hz refresh rate.
Additionally, I have reservations about the durability of Nxtpaper technology despite its thin and lightweight design. The screen may be more susceptible to damage from bending or impact, leading to higher repair or replacement costs.
Final Thoughts
The Nxtpaper technology by TCL leaves a positive impression, prompting curiosity about potential adoption by other phone manufacturers. The environmental advantages coupled with the screen’s user comfort are compelling factors that may appeal to industry giants like Samsung, Google, and Apple. While an entire lineup of Nxtpaper iPhones may be unlikely, a niche model targeting users with eye sensitivities could be a viable option.
As Nxtpaper technology evolves, its environmental benefits could sway other phone makers to consider its integration, potentially reshaping the industry’s display standards. Keeping a close watch on TCL and its Nxtpaper developments promises an exciting journey ahead.
