At a look
Professional’s Ranking
Execs
- Good efficiency, nice value, and neat well being advantages
- Clean display screen is good for motion pictures and nice for studying
- Unbelievable battery life when wanted
Cons
- Finnicky cameras with poor video help
- Audio system lack heat and element
- Loads of app bloat
Our Verdict
For an virtually price range value, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper is a superb telephone for avid readers and even these simply making an attempt to guard the peepers of themselves or their households. Whereas a devoted eReader will all the time be extra snug, TCL has solid the proper hybrid that solely sacrifices absolute color accuracy to supply a chic moveable studying expertise that’s only a toggle swap away.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing At the moment
Worth When Reviewed
Unavailable within the US
Final 12 months, TCL launched a low-cost smartphone that doubled as an exquisite eReader. This phone-by-day/book-by-night concept solely had one main drawback: switching between the 2 modes was a little bit of a chore.
Now, it’s again, rectifying the one situation with a {hardware} toggle caught proper beneath the ability button. However does the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper supply sufficient oomph to attraction to a large viewers? Let’s have a look.
Design & Construct
- Stable building
- Snug grip with rounded corners
- Loads of colors and finishes
Accessible in a spread of colors relying in your area, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper seems extra luxurious than its mid-range value would recommend.
Sturdy, rounded, and simply thick sufficient to welcome a robust grip, its easy, anti-glare display screen has it wanting like a dummy product when sat on its again.
The “2D Basalt” design on the again of my Moon Grey pattern gives a refined, wavy shimmer that gives new patterns at totally different angles.
Joshua Brown
There’s a brighter Alps White model obtainable on the lighter handset. Some areas even get entry to vibrant glass finishes like blue, gold and purple.
Solely the proper aspect of the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper options any buttons; the same old quantity rocker, an influence button that doubles as a really delicate fingerprint scanner, and a grippy slider used to activate the telephone’s signature Nxtpaper characteristic – one thing the final iteration sorely missed.
A centred USB-C port for quick charging and knowledge switch is on the underside. You’ll spot a 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone, and extensive three-grille speaker there, too.
Joshua Brown
What I received within the field could not match your personal buy. Whereas a charger and USB-C/A cable are included, the skinny folio case and included pen is an elective further.
The TCL website suggests a primary case is included, however buyer evaluations – not less than within the UK – counter that declare.
Display & Audio system
- Large, 1080p movie-ready show
- Anti-reflecting coating and easy matt end
- Loud audio system
The TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper is a tall machine. Its 20.5:9 facet ratio show means it’s virtually good for cinema-style content material in panorama view.
It’s additionally a lot lengthy sufficient to suit extra phrases of your subsequent bedtime learn on display screen. No matter you determine to do with it, the 2460×1080 decision ensures it’s crisp throughout the 6.8-inch panel.
Joshua Brown
A typical peak brightness of round 450 nits means it may be difficult to take pleasure in color content material in very shiny circumstances, however the Nxtpaper show was in a position to go as little as 10 nits in my take a look at. The specter of nighttime digital studying hindering your sleep needs to be a factor of the previous.
The matt-style end, whereas positive to barely degrade the telephone’s means to show actually correct colors, makes the default gradient background sing with a easy transition that’s very pleasing to the peepers everytime you swap between its numerous display screen modes.
You’ll additionally really feel a paper-like texture everytime you slide your digits alongside it, serving to the turning of a digital web page really feel extra practical.
Joshua Brown
Talking of which, the Nxtpaper toggle could be set to change between your favorite of three totally different studying modes: Color Paper (delicate colors), Ink Paper (black and white), or Max Ink.
That final one is an ultra-low energy mode that limits obtainable apps on prime of providing that crisp black and white show. It ought to enhance not solely battery life, however your means to lose your self in a superb ebook.
The three-grille speaker on the backside and a bigger earpiece the place you’d count on it are removed from stellar.
Joshua Brown
Vocals on speaking head-style YouTube movies, whereas intelligible, come throughout as tinny and missing actual heat or bass. It’s a frankly anticipated end result for a telephone on this value bracket and configuration, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a disgrace.
The excellent news is that it’s loud for many who want that further oomph. For anybody else, chorus from cranking it too excessive or plug some headphones in to get the very best expertise.
Specs & Efficiency
- Clean 120Hz scrolling
- Reminiscence helps apps open shortly and keep open
- First rate gaming potential for many who care
Backed by an 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper skirts what it means to be a mid-range machine, with its 1881 Geekbench rating falling a little bit bit behind extra standard handsets just like the Motorola Moto G85.
Joshua Brown
In struggling to hit double-digit body charges in additional demanding 3D checks, it received’t go well with these on the lookout for immersive gaming experiences. Informal or competitive-focused titles, nonetheless? Go proper forward. The Netflix providing ought to sing.
Generally use, it’s nonetheless a passable expertise. The 120Hz show fits scrolling articles splendidly, and the 8GB of onboard reminiscence is sufficient to preserve on a regular basis operations operating easily.
On-line listings typically point out it has double that quantity, but the settings display screen confirms it’s merely appropriating slower storage to attain it – one thing that’s often provided as an elective setting on units at this value level.
Joshua Brown
Although, with 512GB of storage (rememeber flagship iPhones and Galaxys include 128GB) as commonplace and a microSD card slot must you want extra, dropping a fraction of that to spice up efficiency ever so barely isn’t a motive to run for the hills.
Most significantly, apps open shortly and largely with out stutter, massive downloads are nonetheless good and quick, and the entire person expertise is buttery easy.
The one factor the low-spec processor may hinder is the digital camera, however that’s as much as private desire.
TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper benchmarks
Cameras
- Triple-sensor system
- 108Mp essential shooter
- Most 1080p 30fps recording
Serving to to justify the Professional moniker of its identify, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper packs three rear digital camera sensors: an 8Mp extensive, 2Mp macro, and a 108Mp essential monster.
That final one’s full decision is locked behind a fast choose choice on the viewfinder display screen, however you’ll be able to allow it because the default choice for those who don’t have to {photograph} any transferring topics.
Although you’ll be hard-pressed to identify its value due to the naturally blurred show within the second, you’ll end up with some half-decent pictures when considered on a giant display screen; whether or not taken throughout an Autumn storm of falling leaves or whereas venturing round heat and nonetheless historical metropolis of Dubrovnik.
You received’t be capable of punch in to learn the textual content of a distant signal, and it might probably have a form of VHS-quality grain in non-perfect circumstances and loads of flare in opposition to shiny lights, nevertheless it’s about as serviceable as different cameras on this value vary.
Elsewhere, it may be difficult to get the opposite lenses to play properly with out shiny, nonetheless capturing circumstances. The 108Mp pictures take a while to snap and course of. Take a sneaky shot as you go and also you’ll virtually actually spot the ghosting.
Trying a portrait shot as my cat emerged from a shrub proved that the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper badly struggles to pick the sides of our fuzzy buddies in a rush.
Issues fared significantly better with filtered mild and a largely nonetheless topic, with the end result being a very atmospheric shot of a pet milliseconds away from demanding consideration.
Equally, making an attempt to get shut sufficient to Autumn flowers for the “tremendous macro” lens proved tough. Not that many ever actually use it.
At the least the zoom potential is there. Trying to pick the main points on the peak of a distant hill leads to a form of portray impact, however punching into issues additional down the highway, for instance, is mostly high-quality.
The flexibility to double-click the quantity rocker to take an image with out opening the digital camera app could be very sensible however doubtless a chore for the battery.
Its lack of ability to file above 1080p at 30fps, nonetheless, which is presumably a limitation of the processor, is an actual disgrace. Processing these 108Mp stills can take a good bit of time, too.
The purpose is that it’s a finicky system which may attempt your endurance, nevertheless it’s not fully with out advantage. It could actually get the job achieved in the proper circumstances, simply don’t choose this up for those who’re trying to seize valuable reminiscences.
The handset’s core focus actually is being a helpful digital reader first and a dependable sensible communications machine. The digital camera comes second fiddle to each.
Battery Life & Charging
- Giant capability battery
- Plentiful power-saving options
- 33W quick charging with included charger
The 5010mAh battery below the hood is big. It’s across the identical measurement as different performance-focused telephones of this measurement. Paired with the paper-like display screen, you’ll be able to count on it to final an extended whereas, too. At the least, that’s the idea.
Managing round 9 hours in our typical battery efficiency take a look at, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper can go the space. And that’s when it’s used like a pc moderately than a ebook.
The take a look at emulates typical utilization eventualities at a modest brightness with the telephone’s bells and whistles lively. There’s loads of room for enchancment not solely by way of typical battery saving modes, however by even dynamically decreasing the display screen decision when it is sensible.
Josh Brown
Unusually sufficient, whereas the telephone predicts a superb month or so of runtime with the Nxtpaper settings cranked to the max, I noticed a 4% drop in cost whereas studying on the Kindle app throughout a 45-minute bus journey, so take these lofty estimates with a complete heap of salt.
Within the following weeks, nonetheless, charging turned one thing I solely needed to fear about possibly twice in seven days when used primarily as a reader and part-time digital camera.
As an upside, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper does help quick charging. At 33W through the included cable and charger, a modest 30-minute recharge introduced it to 73% from empty. A fast 15-minute enhance, say whereas having a shower or making breakfast, can supply near half a full cost which is spectacular for a telephone this low cost.
There’s no choice for wi-fi charging as you may think so don’t count on to prime it up on the go until you’re carrying not less than a cable to faucet into sockets on the bus, on the library, or elsewhere. Although you’ll not often have to.
Software program & Apps
- Heavy bloatware
- 5 years of software program help
- Nice well being and value settings
By far the largest disappointment with the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper is the sheer quantity of bloatware that comes pre-installed.
The principle display screen hides it properly with utility apps to hurry up efficiency. Slide over to the second display screen, although, and also you’ll be offered with social platforms, coupons, lodge reserving apps, and even a pair from Microsoft.
Joshua Brown
Making issues worse, there’s even a folder devoted to a revolving door of “scorching apps” prepared to put in with a single faucet.
These could be hidden, eliminated, or uninstalled with out situation, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a disgrace to see the virtually predatory observe on a telephone with options that finest go well with the older era.
And for those who go for the case with the included pen, bear in mind that the primary app you’re doubtless to make use of it with – the pre-installed Jnotes – will attempt to pull you into one more subscription each time you launch it. Even the pencil software instructions a premium.
On the upside, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper consists of some actually considerate tweaks within the settings menu. Textual content and icons are already good and huge, however you’ll be able to dial each up or down with ease.
Joshua Brown
The Nxtpaper studying mode could be configured in some ways: you’ll be able to tweak the depth of the impact tied to the toggle or have comparable display screen results kick in on a per-app foundation.
For instance, you’ll be able to have the Kindle app activate your favorite studying mode robotically, use the Nxtpaper swap to allow straightforward studying of a text-heavy article, after which shortly flick it again to color while you’re able to scroll Pinterest, Fb, or a clothes web site’s countless catalog.
It could actually even aid you keep away from frequent eye well being pitfalls. It could actually ping when there isn’t sufficient ambient mild for studying, for those who’re on a nasty angle, while you’re too near the display screen, otherwise you’re making an attempt to learn in a shaky atmosphere. It could actually even recommend taking a break after lengthy intervals of studying.
Joshua Brown
Some require using the digital camera and can thus hinder battery life over time, nevertheless it’s all the time good to have the choice.
Operating Android 14 out of the field, you’ll be able to prolong safety help all the way in which to 2029 by updating to Android 16. 5 years of life on an revolutionary handset at this value level is a superb boon for sustainability.
Worth & Availability
The TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper retails for £279.99 within the UK with stockists together with Argos, Amazon, and Very. Every area has entry to totally different colors and finishes and sadly, the telephone isn’t because of launch within the USA.
When you favor a extra acquainted identify and little bit extra energy, the Motorola G85 5G can supply a little bit bit extra efficiency at an analogous value level.
When you’re all of the sudden not feeling the Nxtpaper advantages however nonetheless need one thing at across the identical price, the Nothing Cellphone (2a) is kind of a bit extra highly effective with a way more balanced digital camera.
Try our listing of the very best mid-range telephones for extra choices.
Must you purchase the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper?
Whereas I’m unconvinced that the Nxtpaper mode carries the identical advantages as a devoted E-Ink machine, the boons of it being a hybrid show are clear as day.
On the value of a premium eReader, you get a really succesful handset with all the required sensors to assist preserve you snug as you flip web page after web page.
In including a {hardware} toggle to bounce between Ink and Color modes, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper has fastened the one obvious flaw of its predecessor.
Paired with a 120Hz refresh charge and a battery that may simply last more than the competitors, TCL is only a discount folding mannequin away from a near-essential buy for many who haven’t ditched the written phrase in favour of countless video content material.
Specs
- MediaTek Dimensity 6300 Octa-core
- 6.8” 1080×2460 396 PPI show at 550nits (20.5:9 – 87.5% S2B)
- 120Hz
- 5010mAh
- 8GB reminiscence (+8 enhance)
- 512gb storage + MicroSD help
- 33w quick charging USB-C
- Quarterly Safety updates till March 2029 (when up to date to Android 16)
- 108 / 8 / 2Mp rear sensors, 32Mp entrance (max recording 1080p/30fps seize
- Dimensions (HxWxD, mm)167.6 x 75.5 x 7.99
- 196g (with out case)
- Fingerprint/Energy button, quantity rocker, Nxtpaper swap
- Moon Grey, Midnight Blue, Alps White, Pale Gold, Rosy Purple*
- 2D Basalt fiber again cowl (Moon Grey, Alps White), 2D glass fiber again cowl (Midnight Blue, Pale Gold, Rosy Purple)