TCL has ventured into the smartphone market, focusing on affordable entry-level devices priced between €80 and €200. The new TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper features a unique LCD screen that can switch to black and white for reading, appealing to users with basic needs. Priced at €300, it offers five design finishes, a large 6.8-inch display with decent performance, and a dedicated button for its e-reader-like mode, catering to both casual users and avid readers.
In recent years, TCL, the Chinese brand renowned for its impressive quality-to-price ratio in mini LED LCD televisions, has expanded its portfolio to include smartphones.
Unlike many other smartphone manufacturers, TCL has strategically targeted the entry-level segment, offering devices primarily priced between €80 and €200.
This approach means that while you might not find features like OLED displays, lightning-fast processors, or sophisticated AI-driven camera functionalities, these smartphones are perfectly suitable for users with basic requirements.
Recently launched, the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper joins the ranks of its predecessors in the 50 series, including the TCL 50 5G. Although its specifications are generally modest, it boasts a uniquely designed LCD screen. This innovative display can switch to black and white with the push of a button, reminiscent of an e-reader’s visual experience.
Currently available for €300, down from its original price of €350, the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper is slightly more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy A25 (€319). This device falls into the category of “high-end entry-level” or “mid-range entry-level” smartphones. Let’s explore its advantages and drawbacks.
Technical Specifications
Design: Five Stunning Finishes with NXTPaper Button
The TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper is designed to appeal to a broad audience, featuring five attractive color options and two distinct back finishes.
The first finish, basalt fiber, comes in two colors: Moon Gray (black) and Alps White. It presents a sophisticated matte, marbled look that feels subtly organic.
The other three options—Midnight Blue, Pale Gold, and Rosy Purple—are available in a fiberglass finish that adds a glossy touch, each showcasing a unique pattern (diamond for the pink variant and arcs for the blue).
The Moon Gray model provided for our review stands out with its finely textured surface that feels soft and warm to the touch. Additionally, it resists fingerprints effectively. However, the punch hole for the front camera is quite prominent!
With dimensions of 16.8 x 7.5 x 0.8 cm and a weight of 196 grams, this smartphone features rounded edges and a large circular optical block on the back, housing three protruding lenses reminiscent of designs seen in smartphones from Honor, Xiaomi, or Realme.
While the smartphone may be challenging to handle for users with smaller hands, the power button, which also functions as a side fingerprint sensor, is conveniently placed. Our tests confirmed its speed and efficiency.
For even quicker access, facial recognition is also available. Below the power button lies the unique NXTPaper button, which acts as a switch to toggle display modes.
It’s important to note that there is no advertised water or dust resistance, so caution is advised for those prone to accidents. Additionally, the screen lacks Gorilla Glass protection, making a protective case or film a wise investment.
Display: Matte LCD with Impressive Calibration
The standout feature of the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper is its innovative LCD screen, which provides a distinctive viewing experience.
This matte panel eliminates reflections, setting it apart from the OLED displays found in many mid-range and high-end smartphones. However, the allure of a shiny 6.8-inch screen may not be as significant as that of larger displays.
Despite this, the visual quality remains quite pleasant, offering respectable blacks and rich colors, though lacking the vividness typically associated with OLED technology, particularly for video playback.
Watching movies on streaming platforms reveals that the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper delivers commendable image quality.
The expansive 6.8-inch screen boasts a FHD+ resolution (2460 x 1080 pixels) and supports a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. For improved battery efficiency, users can opt for a 60 Hz setting.
By default, the display operates in Intelligent mode, switching between 60 Hz and 120 Hz based on the application being used.
In contrast to premium devices, LTPO technology, which allows for more nuanced frequency adjustments, is not included.
TCL claims a maximum brightness of 550 nits and a contrast ratio of 1500:1, and our measurements confirmed these values are nearly accurate.
We recorded a maximum brightness of 570 nits in both SDR and HDR modes, while the contrast ratio was measured at 1367:1, which is impressive for LCD technology, albeit lower than the near-infinite contrast ratios of OLED displays.
Though this brightness level is lower than many recent OLED smartphones (such as 930 nits on the Samsung Galaxy A25 or 1000 nits on the Nothing Phone 2), the matte finish helps mitigate potential visibility issues in bright sunlight, making it less of a concern.
In terms of color accuracy, the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper performs admirably in SDR mode (average DeltaE of 2.29 in Saturated mode with a Warm color temperature) and HDR (average DeltaE of 6.64).
Furthermore, the screen can reproduce 140% of the BT 709 color space, 94% of DCI-P3, and 63% of BT 2020, achieving a fairly neutral color representation (color temperature of 6274 K) when using the Saturated display profile with the Warm setting.
The Ultimate Smartphone for Reading?
One of the defining features of the TCL 50 Pro NXTPaper is its NXTPaper button, located just below the fingerprint reader.
This unique switch enables users to shift the display to a black and white mode (known as Max Ink by TCL), offering a reading experience akin to that of an e-reader utilizing e-ink technology.
This feature caters to avid readers looking for a smartphone that enhances their reading experience while providing a practical solution for everyday use.