Why you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select the perfect for you. Discover out extra about how we check.
TCL might not be essentially the most thrilling identify in cell, however that doesn’t imply the corporate is sitting on its arms. Final yr, the corporate launched its new NXTPAPER Key to enrich its distinctive shows, and now, we lastly get to expertise it in the US with the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER.
Whereas not a flagship by any means, the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER does stand out from the pack, because of the extra eye-friendly show that may successfully remodel the cellphone into an e-reader with the flip of a change. I like to consider it as having a Boox Palma dwelling inside your smartphone, which ought to attraction to anybody who likes to learn however doesn’t wish to carry a separate e-reader with them always.
TCL’s present providing isn’t for everybody, however the know-how concerned is one I want to see extra of.
TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER specs
Class | TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER |
|---|---|
OS | TCL UI v8 (Android 15) |
Show | 6.78-inches, IPS LCD, FHD+ (1080 X 2460), 120Hz |
Chip | MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus |
RAM | 8 |
Storage | 128GB/256GB |
Rear Digital camera 1 | 50MP huge/macro |
Rear Digital camera 2 | 5MP ultrawide |
Rear Digital camera 3 | 2MP depth |
Entrance Digital camera | 32MP |
Safety | Fingerprint (facet), facial recognition |
Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
Battery | 5,010mAh |
Charging | 18W wired |
Dimensions | 167.6 x 75.5 x 8.22mm |
Weight | 199.5g |
Colours | House Blue |
NXTPAPER show professionals and cons
If you maintain the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER, you’ll instantly discover why it’s totally different. The NXTPAPER show is exclusive in each look and feeling because of its very matte show. It feels extremely gentle to the contact, and your hand simply glides throughout the display with ease. I first thought the cellphone had a display protector on it, which is simply how unreal the expertise is. It is imagined to really feel extra paper-like, in distinction to the shiny shows discovered on practically all different smartphones, and the change comes with some good advantages.
Gone are the fingerprints you’d discover on a conventional smartphone show. TCL’s multi-layer show additionally filters out 61% extra blue mild than different gadgets, so it’s safer in your eyes. Whereas I’m not clear on how this show measures up for these with PWM sensitivity, it ought to nonetheless make the viewing expertise extra comfy.
Colours are nonetheless fairly vibrant when in regular viewing mode, even when the FHD+ LCD panel received’t fairly match as much as the distinction of an OLED. TCL additionally has a bunch of show options aimed toward enhancing visuals and eye consolation. When indoors, I’m fairly happy with the show general.
It’s outdoor the place issues disintegrate a bit. The NXTPAPER show is definitely fairly difficult to see in direct daylight, which is an unlucky draw back of the know-how.
You might also wish to be cautious of scratches. I’m not fairly positive what precipitated the scratch on my evaluate unit, nevertheless it seems far more pronounced than what I’ve seen on different telephones in my years of reviewing gadgets.
The NXTPAPER Key is the true star of the present, although, letting you simply change to considered one of three different show modes: Ink Paper, Coloration Paper, and Max Ink.
The primary transforms the cellphone right into a typical black and white ink show, just like what you’ll see on a Kindle or different e-readers. Coloration Paper Mode is kind of the identical, however provides a touch of heat, muted coloration to all the pieces, virtually as should you’re taking a look at a ’90s TV display. With these modes, you’re nonetheless ready to make use of your cellphone similar to traditional.
Picture 1 of 5
Max Ink Mode emulates the e-reader expertise as a lot as doable for customers who wish to take a break from the world and simply deal with studying. It limits app use other than a choose few that you could select, disables the app drawer and notifications from apps not allowed in Max Ink mode, and solely gives entry to a handful of settings. And due to its extraordinarily restricted nature, battery life additionally will get a lift from the standard day or so to a number of days.
And whenever you’re accomplished with every mode, you’ll be able to simply flick the important thing to modify again to regular show mode.
What about the remainder of the cellphone?
The 60 XE NXTPAPER is a good cellphone general with a ravishing design that stands out from different telephones on this worth level, however don’t count on a lot from a $249 system. The MediaTek 6100 Plus chip isn’t precisely a powerhouse, so don’t count on to get away with taking part in graphics-intensive video games besides on decrease settings. The 8GB of RAM actually helps, however efficiency feels worse than another low-cost Android telephones just like the Moto G Energy 2025.
Battery life is nice, particularly should you use Max Ink Mode, however charging is underwhelming at simply 18W, so count on to sit down round for some time topping up the 5,010mAh battery.
The cellphone runs Android 15 out of the field however will solely obtain one main OS improve. There are a number of AI options like textual content extraction, Assist Me Write, and a wise voice memo app, however nothing notably notable. Sadly, you don’t get entry to a lot else past Gemini, and there’s no Circle to Search, which might be the most important letdown.
Picture 1 of 15
For a $249 cellphone, the digital camera system is pretty respectable, however you could find higher elsewhere. Photographs are brilliant, however colours aren’t essentially the most correct, and it may be fairly inconsistent at occasions. Pictures may also be a bit noisy, and even at 2x, the small print begin to muddy up.
Do you have to purchase it?
The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER competes with lower-end Android telephones and options middling efficiency, fundamental software program, and a digital camera that leaves loads to be desired. Nevertheless, its distinctive show is clearly a standout, and the cellphone is clearly catering to anybody who desires the naked minimal and a snug studying expertise.
In fact, the choice is to buy a separate e-reader for its simplicity, however why try this when you’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone? One thing just like the Boox Palma 2 or Minimal Cellphone prices $299 or extra, which ought to make the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER a smidge extra interesting.
Smartphone and e-reader in a single
The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER is an reasonably priced cellphone with a singular show excellent for anybody who likes e-readers or simply desires a snug viewing expertise.
