TCL is bringing Nxtpaper, its matte-finish, blue light-reducing display technology, to its new generation of smartphones. The 40 Nxtpaper and 40 Nxtpaper 5G will be the first smartphones in the world to ship with the feature, which the company says will help users reduce eye strain without sacrificing the visual experience. Both smartphones are set to hit shelves in Europe this fall, with United States availability scheduled for early 2024.
Nxtpaper, which TCL first introduced at IFA 2020, has historically been exclusive to the brand’s tablets. The technology is convenient on larger devices thanks to its paper-like feel, which makes using a stylus extra satisfying. But the anti-glare matte finish and nice texture isn’t all that makes Nxtpaper appealing: It’s also reportedly considered eye-friendly by TÜV Rheinland, a German firm that aims to make technology safer and more comfortable to use.
Using several layers of glass, Nxtpaper diffuses the light emitted by the device itself, reducing eye strain associated with glare. The technology is also said to reduce blue light by up to 61%, but it’s unclear whether this requires switching on black-and-white mode, which makes the device look like an e-ink reader. (Scientists are also divided on whether blue light actually causes long-term eye damage.)
The 40 Nxtpaper and 40 Nxtpaper 5G are the first non-tablet devices to feature Nxtpaper displays. In comparing the two phones, consumers will first notice the cost discrepancy: €199 ($216) for the 40 Nxtpaper and €249 ($270) for the 40 Nxtpaper 5G. In this case, a bigger price tag doesn’t mean a bigger phone; the 5G version of the 40 Nxtpaper is actually the smaller model. (While the 40 Nxtpaper is 6.62 by 2.97 by 0.31 inches, the 5G version comes in at 6.47 by 2.97 by 0.35 inches.) The 5G model offers 50 nits more than the 40 Nxtpaper’s 450-nit typical brightness, but otherwise its display can be expected to be a bit duller: In comparison with the 40 Nxtpaper’s 2,460 by 1,080 pixels, the 40 Nxtpaper 5G’s display will utilize just 1,612 by 720 pixels.
That isn’t where the differences end. The 40 Nxtpaper will have a 32-megapixel front-facing camera, while the 5G model will only offer 8 megapixels for selfies. The cheaper phone will also feature a trio of back cameras, with only two cameras on the back of the 5G version. Both models will include volume controls and a fingerprint-sensing power button on the side. They’ll also both come with 256GB of storage (upgradable to 1TB via microSD) and Android 13, but otherwise the Nxtpaper 5G seems like a bit of a downgrade from its more affordable sibling—unless, of course, consumers want access to 5G.
Smartphone users in Europe will be able to buy the 40 Nxtpaper in September and the 40 Nxtpaper 5G in October. While an exact timeline isn’t yet available for the US, TCL says it will share more rollout information early next year.
