My black iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerhouse, offering all the bells and whistles you could want in a late 2024 smartphone. But not everyone needs a phone that can do everything. For those who prioritize an Android phone with 5G, long battery life, a comfortable display, and plenty of storage, TCL’s 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G might be the perfect answer.
TCL’s Nxtpaper technology, introduced in 2021, offers a paper-like display experience for phones and tablets. This technology, which has already been seen in devices like the Nxtpaper 12 Pro and the Nxtpaper 11, aims to provide a more comfortable and sustainable digital experience.
The TCL 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G is an affordable Android smartphone that prioritizes eye comfort. It features a 6.5-inch display, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a 5000mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, expandable to 2TB via microSD card. It runs Android 14 with promises of two more Android updates and three years of security updates. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 5MP ultrawide camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and an 8MP front-facing camera.
But the true star of the show is the Nxtpaper display. This innovative technology uses a reflective display system, similar to e-ink found in e-readers like the Kindle, but with a major difference: Nxtpaper offers full-color display capabilities.
This means you can enjoy vibrant colors, fast refresh rates, and a wide range of content, including videos and interactive applications. The reflective nature of the display also replicates how natural light interacts with paper, reducing eye strain and enhancing reading comfort.
The TCL 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G truly shines when it comes to reading. The display is incredibly crisp, and the colors, while not as vibrant as traditional LCD or OLED displays, still pop. TCL includes visual enhancements for color, contrast, and sharpness, further enhancing the reading experience. The display is optimized for reading, and the phone boasts impressive battery life, lasting over 30 hours with daily usage.
While the Nxtpaper technology excels in reading and reducing eye strain, there are some limitations. The display isn’t as vibrant as other smartphone displays, which can make gaming less immersive. There’s also some lag when scrolling through social media feeds.
Furthermore, while Nxtpaper displays are thin and lightweight, they might be more prone to damage from bending or impacts.
Despite these drawbacks, TCL’s Nxtpaper technology is a promising development in the smartphone world. It offers a unique user experience that focuses on eye comfort and sustainability. It would be exciting to see other phone manufacturers adopt this technology, potentially offering a new breed of smartphone for users seeking a more comfortable and eco-conscious device.
