Tcl’s bet on screens that look like paper

TCL’s Innovative Approach with NXTPAPER Technology

Background on NXTPAPER Technology

Since 2021, Chinese manufacturer TCL has been at the forefront of developing a unique screen technology known as NXTPAPER. This LCD panel aims to mimic the appearance of paper, offering a less straining alternative for frequent screen users.

Advancements Revealed at CES 2025

At the CES 2025 event, TCL introduced NXTPAPER 4.0, addressing a major limitation of its predecessors: low brightness. The enhancement is attributed to a “sophisticated nano-matrix lithography technology,” boosting brightness levels significantly.

NXTPAPER 4.0 Features and Devices

The Tablet 11 Plus, featuring NXTPAPER 4.0, achieves a brightness of up to 550 nits. While not on par with the brightest traditional screens, this improvement makes it more readable. In addition to the tablet, TCL unveiled the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G phone. Both devices incorporate an “NXTPAPER Key,” enabling users to switch between conventional display and “Max Ink Mode.” This mode reconfigures the display to resemble e-ink, minimizing eye strain and boosting comfort.

Max Ink Mode Benefits

When activated, Max Ink Mode restricts notifications and reportedly extends battery life significantly, offering up to 7 days for reading and 26 days on standby. The phone will initially launch in Canada, priced at USD 199.

Specifications and Market Reception

The TCL 60 XE phone’s specifications show an improvement over its predecessor, though not enough to earn a recommendation from tech reviewer Marques Brownlee. Meanwhile, videos demonstrating the “NXTPAPER Key” and “Max Ink Mode” in action have been released, including a detailed clip from TCL’s CES presentation available on YouTube.

Industry Trends

As companies like E-Ink strive to enhance the speed of their screen technology, used in devices like Kindles, others, including TCL, are focusing on making traditional screens more eye-friendly. Notably, in 2024, the startup Daylight introduced a pricey tablet with a black-and-white LCD panel, resembling calculator displays, as part of a similar initiative.