TCL has been working hard for years to bring NXTPAPER screens to its smartphones and tablets. So far, the success has been so-so. But at the Mobile World Congress 2025, TCL announced some interesting new products, like the TCL 60 smartphones and NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablets.
For four years now, this Chinese company has been offering devices with its own NXTPaper screen tech. This tech turns an LCD screen into something that looks like an e-ink screen.
When it was first shown in 2021, it wasn't that impressive.
But TCL hasn't given up! Almost every year, they've made improvements to their products. And this new 2025 line looks much more promising!
In the past, NXTPaper screens struggled with a slow "e-ink" mode. The color "smartphone" mode also wasn't as good as the screens from other brands.
TCL is still using LCD as the base tech, but the new TCL 60 smartphone range seems to have made big improvements in both of these areas.
The color screen looks good (based on videos we've seen). And early reviews praise the quality of the "reflective" mode, which displays in black and white for better reading. It's supposed to be like reading on paper!
TCL's software lets the device and screen work in three different modes:
- "Regular mode": For enjoying color and contrast like a modern smartphone screen.
- "Color Paper mode": A middle ground, like a color E Ink screen such as Kaleido 3.
- "Ink Paper mode": A black and white mode for reading. TCL says the experience is similar to a real e-reader.
It's important to know that TCL doesn't call it "E Ink" because it's a different technology. E Ink is what you find in e-readers like Kindle, Kobo, Pocketbook, or Boox.
The TCL range, which will include smartphones (TCL 60) and tablets (NXTPaper 11 Plus), also runs on Android.
So, you can use your favorite Android reading apps like Kobo, Kindle or Pocketbook to enjoy your ebooks and digital magazines on these TCL devices.
The big question is: Is the screen as good as it sounds?
The reviews out there are from people who cover general tech. So, we're still a bit cautious. But we think this could be a step forward.
If TCL can offer a good alternative to e-readers in a smartphone or tablet, it could create healthy competition.
Right now, major e-reader brands use e-ink screens made by E Ink, which has a monopoly due to patents. This keeps e-reader prices relatively high.
If TCL offers a good alternative, their devices could compete with e-readers. This could force e-readers to offer more features or lower their prices.
Another important point: TCL could sell these devices to people who don't already read on an electronic device. These people could discover digital reading and ebooks, which might lead them to buy a dedicated e-reader later on.
It's great news that TCL is continuing to improve its NXTPaper tech. I'm hoping to review these devices this year and share my thoughts with you!
These new devices are expected to arrive in Spring 2025, but the TCL website doesn't have them listed yet: https://www.tcl.com/
If you liked this article, consider sharing this page on social network or to someone that could benefit from the information.
You might also like:
- How to Unblock Your Frozen Kindle E-Reader (February 14, 2025)
- Why Pocketbook E-Readers Are Banned in France? (December 9, 2024)
- Christmas e-reader buying guide 2024 (December 10, 2024)
- How to use a Kobo e-reader: full video tutorial (February 28, 2025)
