TCL has unveiled NXTPAPER 4.0, its next-gen display technology for better eye comfort. The display tech is debuting on a new tablet and smartphone.
Though the dangers of blue light emanating from digital devices is often overblown, there's no doubt in my mind that displays that emit less blue light are more comfortable to use. The most comfortable displays to use are eInk ones, but they come with massive tradeoffs like poor clarity and refresh rate. These are issues that TCL set out to solve with its NXTPAPER display technology, which applies a matte filter and other layers on top of a traditional LCD. Today at CES, TCL unveiled NXTPAPER 4.0, the next generation of NXTPAPER, which the company says brings significant advancements in both visual clarity and comfort.
According to TCL, NXTPAPER 4.0 incorporates a "sophisticated nano-matrix lithography technology" in its etching process that improves display clarity and sharpness. It boasts a "ΔE<1 true color display accuracy and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage" to ensure accurate color reproduction for both regular users and creatives. Its "advanced blue light purification and Circularly Polarized Light (CPL) technologies" allow it to expertly mimic natural light conditions, which TCL believes makes the visual experience both more appealing and easier on the eyes.
TCL devices with NXTPAPER 4.0 also support new display personalization features called "Smart Eye Comfort Mode" and "Personalized Eye Comfort Mode." The former adjusts the visual experience based on "eight usage scenarios" to optimize eye comfort whether you're reading, watching videos, working, etc. The latter lets you tailor the display's brightness, contrast, and color temperature during setup to align the visual experience with your personal preferences.
The first two Android devices to ship with TCL's NXTPAPER 4.0 technology are the NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet and the 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G smartphone. Both products come with TCL's NXTPAPER Key, a slider that lets you switch between normal use and "Max Ink Mode." "Max Ink Mode" not only tweaks the display for a more paper-like reading experience but also silences notifications. The Key can also be used to open NXTPAPER UI or otherwise be customized to do different actions on a single, double, or long press.
The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus comes with AI-driven writing features called Text Assist and Writing Assist. It also supports Google's Circle to Search feature, which can be used to select text or images on screen with either your finger or the T-Pen. The tablet also supports TCL's Smart Voice Memo to record, transcribe, and summarize audio and create mind maps. Finally, it supports the company's Smart Translator and AI Subtitles features.
The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet. Source: TCL.
TCL didn't share detailed specifications for the NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet, but it did mention that it comes with an expansive 11.5-inch 2.2K display with a 120Hz refresh rate panel that reaches 550 nits brightness during outdoor use.
The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G, meanwhile, has a 6.8-inch FHD+ screen with a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, 256GB of internal storage, 8GB of RAM, a triple camera system consisting of a 50MP main camera, a 32MP front-facing camera, and various AI-powered software features to optimize task management and efficiency.
The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G smartphone held in hand. Source: TCL.
In terms of availability, the 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G is exclusive to the North American market. It'll cost $199 when it goes on sale in Canada starting May 2025. Pricing and availability for the U.S. market will be announced at a later time. TCL didn't share which markets the NXTPAPER 11 Plus will be available in nor how much it'll cost.
Alongside the NXTPAPER 11 Plus and 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G, TCL also unveiled the TCL K32, an under $100 5G Android smartphone coming to the U.S. in September 2025, as well as the PLAYCUBE, a Google TV media streamer.
