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CES 2024: TCL's Nxtpaper 3.0 Tech Will Appear In US Phones Later This Year

The latest version of TCL’s eye-saving Nxtpaper technology is coming to US smartphones for the first time, as well as several new tablets.

 & Sarah Lord Mobile Writer

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(Credit: TCL)

LAS VEGAS—TCL announced Nxtpaper 3.0 today at CES, the newest update to its display technology focused on eye health. The company said it will bring Nxtpaper 3.0 to two tablets and, for the first time in the US, two smartphones.

Nxtpaper looks similar to E Ink, but is fully colorized and suitable for watching video and even playing games. Nxtpaper 3.0 continues to filter harmful blue light by 61%, while adding some new display tech called the Circularly Polarized Light screen. This helps the screen mimic the experience of reading in natural light, which should be more comfortable to your eyes. You’ll also get a higher refresh rate over the previous version of Nxtpaper, though TCL doesn’t specify the new rate, along with a new flicker-free viewing experience, and an improved adaptive color temperature, which will automatically adjust the color temperature of your screen depending on the light around you. 

(Credit: TCL)

Nxtpaper 3.0 devices will also have an eye-care assistant that will send reminders and work to help you gain better viewing habits. TCL believes in the 20-20-20 rule: Taking your eyes off the screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. 

"TCL Nxtpaper 3.0 builds on the success of earlier devices and offers users even more choices as we expand the Nxtpaper range to more TCL product categories and screen sizes in 2024,” said Stefan Streit, the Chief Marketing Officer for TCL Communication, in a note to press.

(Credit: TCL)

Nxtpaper 3.0 will first make its way to the TCL Nxtpaper 14 Pro tablet. This 14-inch, 2.8K display comes with three modes that switch between a standard tablet mode, a color paper mode for comics and graphic novels, and a black and white ereader mode for reading books. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 802 processor, comes with 12GB of RAM, a 12,000mAh battery, is capable of 33W fast charging, and sports 256GB of storage.

TCL has also prepared the Tab10 Nxtpaper 5G, which offers a 10.4-inch, 2K Nxtpaper display. It will run on Android 14, come with an octa-core processor, and include 5G connectivity.

Nxtpaper will come to TCL phones in the US for the first time this year with 50 XL Nxtpaper 5G and TCL 50 XE Nxtpaper 5G. We don’t have much information about them yet, other than the fact that they will have dual speakers. TCL announced its first Nxtpaper phones for other markets last year.

(Credit: TCL)

TCL also unveiled three non-Nxtpaper smartphones at CES. The TCL 50 XL 5G comes with a 6.8-inch, FHD+ 120Hz display, dual speakers, 8GB of RAM boosted by RAM expansion, and a 5,010mAh battery. 

The slightly smaller TCL 50 XE 5G offers a 6.6-inch, HD+ 90Hz display, 50MP triple lens camera, 8GB of RAM boosted by RAM expansion, and the same 5,010mAh battery.

Last, the TCL 50 LE carries over the same display from the XE 5G, but offers a reduced 13MP hybrid camera system and smaller 4,000mAh battery. It comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. 

TCL has not yet provided information on pricing or availability for any of these products.

About Our Expert

Sarah Lord

Sarah Lord

Mobile Writer

My Experience

I’m a mobile writer at PCMag, which means I cover wireless phones, plans, tablets, ereaders, and a whole lot more. I’ve written countless reviews and have appeared in numerous videos discussing the latest technology. I’ve always loved it and have been forming opinions on consumer electronics since childhood. Prior to joining PCMag, I covered TVs and home entertainment at CNET, served as the tech and electronics reviews fellow at Insider, and began my career by writing laptop reviews as an intern at Tom's Hardware. I am also a professional actor with credits in film, television, and theater, and membership in both SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity Association.

The Technology I Use

I’ve been an Apple fan for a long time. I use an iPhone 14 Pro, and I don’t plan to upgrade any time soon. I like to hold on to my phones for a few years. Maybe I'll upgrade if Apple sells a flip phone.

I use two different Apple computers in my daily life. I recently bought a maxed-out 15-inch MacBook Air for work and other activities. Despite my brand-new computer, I can’t quit using my 2012 MacBook Pro. It still works flawlessly and houses my large collection of ebooks. When traveling, I often use my 10.5-inch iPad Pro and Logitech keyboard case for streaming television and light internet use.

But my favorite piece of tech is my Kindle Paperwhite. I use it every day and it comes with me wherever I go. I read both physical and digital books, but the Paperwhite is currently my favorite ereader.

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