The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro proved to me that budget smartphones can still be great but I won't be ditching my aging Samsung just yet

Date:
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Description:
Dont think that TCL just makes TVs its a dab hand at smartphones, too, and its NXTPAPER 4.0 screen tech makes the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro a great choice for comic book fans and late-night doomscrollers.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Two-minu te review The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is an affordable smartphone at $379.99 /
269 for the 256GB device. The US market also gets a cheaper 128GB model.

Its design is sleek and attractive, giving the air of a phone that costs a
far more. The biggest selling point is the NXTPAPER 70 Pro's large 6.9in screen with epaper-like NXTPAPER 4.0 display technology.

The tech gives the screen a matte finish that minimises reflections and
glare, and makes the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro extremely comfortable to read and work on. It features a variety of options for reducing eye-strain, and you
can turn on various display modes with just a quick flick of a switch. These include Color Paper mode, which is perfect for reading digital comics, and
Ink Paper mode, a black-and-white paper-like setting thats great for ebooks and text-heavy websites. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: (Image credit: Future) As an avid reader of both books and comics, I was a huge fan of the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's screen but there are a few compromises which meant it wasn't a device I'd be happy to switch to full-time. Performance is fine, but multitasking with lots of different apps open at once isnt as
smooth as it is on devices with more RAM (the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro comes with 8GB, although that can be expanded later). In addition, taking photos at the main camera's maximum 50MP resolution introduces a slight pause as the phone processes your images.

Speaking of the camera, it does a decent job of taking high-resolution shots by default, but the digital zoom quickly displays its limits when you try zooming in too much. For day-to-day shots, though, it's fine; but anyone wanting to be more ambitious with their photography should look elsewhere. (Image credit: Future) TCL has made quite a big deal of the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's AI features, and while its good to see the tech included in a budget device, I didnt have much cause to use features such as live transcription,
or AI-assisted note-taking. However, I can imagine they'll be useful for
some, especially for accessibility and on a positive note, they're not obnoxiously pushed onto you like they can be by other brands. Overall, the
TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is a stylish and dependable budget smartphone that offers plenty for the price, but its performance compromises can niggle. Nevertheless, its NXTPAPER 4.0 screen really is a standout feature, so for voracious readers, it could be their dream phone. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Meanwhile, Im looking forward to seeing NXTPAPER 4.0 come to more powerful phones from TCL. TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro review: Price & release date Starts at $379.99 / 269 for 256GB model US also gets cheaper 128GB model Available in Europe, North America, butnot officially in Australia It might be because Ive become used to the ever-increasing price of flagship phones from the likes of Apple and Samsung , but when I was told the price of the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, I was genuinely impressed. For a smartphone with the word "Pro" in its name,
a price of less than $400 is pleasing.

In the US and UK, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro model with 256GB storage costs $379.99 / 269, which is a fair bit less than our current best cheap phone
pick the Samsung Galaxy A56 at $499 / 499. It actually undercuts pretty much all of the phones in that list, including the Poco X8 Pro Max, which starts
at $469 / 469.

While a rock-bottom price isnt the only measure of a good budget, in these financially uncertain times its certainly a major selling poin. If the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro can also match this with stellar performance, we could see a new budget champion.

In the UK, you can pick up the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro with a protective slipcase and stylus from Amazon for 369.98.

And for US customers, there's an even cheaper 128GB option that sells for $329.99. People in other markets might be disappointed to learn this isn't an option in their territory, but personally, I wouldnt recommend opting for
less than 256GB storage these days, especially if you take a lot of photos. Having said that, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro supports microSD cards, so you can expand the storage up to 2TB.

Currently, if youre in the US and buy the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro from TCLs official store , you also get a free pair of TCL CrystalClip earbuds worth $95.99, making this already great-value handset even better value for money. Swipe to scroll horizontally

Storage



US Price



UK Price



256GB



$379.99



269



512GB



$429.99



319

Value score: 4.5/5 TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dimensions:



169.4 x 80.05 x 7.98mm



Weight:



208g



Internal screen



6.9-inch NXTPAPER 4.0 display



Resolution:



1080 x 2340



Refresh rate:



120Hz



Peak brightness:



900 nits



CPU:



MediaTek Dimensity 7300



RAM:



8GB



Storage:



128GB / 256GB / 512GB



OS:



Android 16



Main cameras:



50MP 1.0UM OIS+8MP main



Selfie camera:



32MP



Battery:



5,200mAh



Charging:



33W



Colors:



Stellar Blue, Nebula Gold

(Image credit: Future) TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro review: Design Stylish and minimalist Extra switch for changing display mode Screen is a highlight Design-wise, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro certainly doesnt feel budget. Available in two colors, Stellar Blue (the model I was sent) and Nebula Gold, the large 6.9-inch screen, thin bezels and modern design give the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro the appearance of a much more expensive phone at first glance.

The thin bezels keep the focus where it belongs: on the display. That's no
bad thing, thanks to TCL's innovative NXTPAPER 4.0 technology, which gives
the screen a matte, e-reader-like finish (more on that shortly). They also help prevent the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro from feeling even larger than it is but make no mistake, this is a big phone, and it will stick out of plenty of pockets.

On the bottom of the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is a USB-C port for charging, as
well as a slot for your SIM card and SD card for expanding storage. On the right-hand side of the phone are the standard volume rocker, a power button with built-in fingerprint reader, and a unique NXTPAPER key. The latter is actually a physical switch, similar to the one found on older iPhones, to put the device into "Do not disturb" mode. Here, though, the NXTPAPER key
switches been display modes: Color Paper mode, Ink Paper mode and Max Ink mode. (Image credit: Future) You can choose the mode each time, or set a default mode to turn on instantly when you flick the switch. A ripple transition effect plays as the screen switches to the mode youve chosen I quite like it, but if you switch mode regularly, I can see how the animation might get a bit annoying.

Ill go into each mode in a moment, but the default settings matte effect and vibrant colors makes the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro stand out from rivals,
especially those that sell for a similar price and the default wallpaper, which is a painting of flowers, looks fantastic. (Image credit: Future) Overall, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's design aside from its standout display isn't revolutionary, but it doesnt need to be. It's a well-built, attractive phone that looks and feels more premium than its affordable price suggests. Design score: 4.5/5 TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro review: Performance and Display Display is great for reading on Can also play videos and games Overall performance is solid, if unremarkable The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pros design does a decent job of making you forget that this is a budget phone, then but the specs dont do such a good job. Dont get me wrong: it works fine, but when you're coming from a flagship handset even one thats now a few years old it's a bit of a wake-up call to keep your expectations in check.

Android 16 runs smoothly, and even when using the various screen modes, the phone is responsive, with no annoying full-screen refreshes of the type that happen with some ebook readers. The display's matte finish keeps images looking crisp, even at extreme viewing angles, with vibrant colors and no distracting reflections.

Turning the screen to Color Paper mode mutes the colors and drops the background wallpaper. It makes the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro more comfortable to
use in low-light conditions, and preserves battery life, too. (Image credit: Future) It works particularly well when reading comics (I tried it with
Marvel Unlimited), as well as browsing the internet at night. The muted colors, paper-like display and lack of blue light mean a quick doomscroll before bed won't disrupt your sleep too much (although it doesnt do anything for my general anxiety about the state of the world).

Impressively, the screen remains responsive, although rapidly scrolling through long passages of text causes the text to shift in colour slightly as it moves. You can watch videos, too, but youll want to switch back to normal mode for the best picture quality.

Theres also Ink Paper mode, which reduces colors to just black and white, removes the background wallpaper, and simplifies icons. This more basic mode is great for reading ebooks and websites; the interface is clean, easy to read, and free from distractions. It helps prolong battery life as well, yet still feels responsive.

Finally, theres Max Ink mode, which limits the apps that can be run, futher extending battery life (with just 21% of battery life, the TCL NXTPAPER 70
Pro claimed to have around 46 hours left). (Image credit: Future) The screen really is a treat, and if you dont mind the impact on image quality,
switching between modes is a great way to boost the battery life if youre
away from a power supply. I found reading websites particularly comfortable
in Ink Paper mode although for image- and video-heavy websites, youll probably want to switch to a color mode.

Color Paper mode is also excellent for reading digital comics. As an X-Men fan, I found the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pros large paper-like display ideal for reading on Marvel Unlimited and Kindle . The matte finish dramatically
reduces glare, and. unlike some early color e-readers Ive tested, both apps remain as fast and responsive as they do on other smartphones.

So, Color Paper mode is great for those who wish to get through their large digital comic libraries while on long trips. Personally, I prefer reading the comics in the default display mode, as colors are more vibrant.

The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro overall performance is solid, and about what youd expect for the price. I didnt have any issues using any of my regular daily driver apps, and the games I tested ran perfectly fine as well although, if youre looking for a smartphone on which to mainly play games, you might want to look for a device with a standard display and more graphical power.

Powering the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300, an octa-core processor with four performance and four efficiency cores. It can't match Qualcomms latest Snapdragon chips, but at this price it's hard to fault, delivering smooth everyday performance. The 8GB of RAM comfortably handles multitasking, although it doesn't feel quite as snappy as more expensive handsets with more memory. TCL does let you allocate up to 16GB of virtual
RAM from the phone's storage, increasing the total to a very healthy 24GB,
and proving a little more headroom for the future. (Image credit: Future) The phone features two SIM card slots, and supports eSIM, and network speeds up
to 5G. However, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro only supports Wi-Fi 5, which is now quite outdated. It meant I couldn't take full advantage of my home routers Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and this led to a noticeable reduction in speed when using Wi-Fi.

To be fair to the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, this was the only time its budget
roots really showed.

The screen is definitely a standout feature for anyone who spends a lot of time reading on their phone. However, if you spend more time watching movies or playing games, a device with a more traditional display will be a better choice. Performance score: 3.5/5 TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro review: Camera 50MP main camera 32MP selfie camera Good detail at high resolutions Image 1 of 14
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro features a 50MP rear camera with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and a 32MP front-facing camera. It also uses TCLs own MuseFilm imaging technology, which the manufacturer says combines hardware and software enhancements to deliver more visually impressive
photos.

I didnt really notice much difference when comparing photos taken on similar phones. Having said that, images taken with the 50MP camera are bright, vibrant and full of detail.

While zooming in reveals some loss of sharpness, photos look impressive at full resolution, with even busy scenes retaining plenty of detail. If youve previously dismissed budget smartphones because of their lack of photo-taking prowess, then the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro proves that affordable handsets can deliver.

However, note that taking photos at the full 50MP resolution (which at the default 4:3 aspect ratio leads to image resolutions of 8192 6144) does put pressure on the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pros hardware: there's a slight pause between pressing the shutter button and image capture (a message pops up asking you
to hold the phone still while the image is being processed). Its another reminder about the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pros budget price, and while it didnt appear to make any of the photos I took with moving subjects blurry, if you want to take a series of fast images, youll need to lower the resolution or buy a more powerful phone.

Reducing the resolution speeds up the whole process, and when images are viewed on the phones screen they still look sharp. Viewing them on a larger screen, or printing them out, makes the reduced resolution more noticeable, though. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) When shooting below the full 50MP resolution, the TCL offers up to 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. However, pushing the digital zoom too far reveals the limitations of the hardware, with considerable loss in detail and the
addition of image artefacts.

You can also switch to the ultra-wide lens, which produces some nice results, although it does occasionally introduce distortion around the edges. Theres also a macro setting for taking close-up shots, and while the results are fine, they lack detail. (Image credit: Future) For best results, then, youll want to stick to the standard settings without zooming in. (Image credit: Future) The front-facing camera captures good-quality selfies with plenty of detail, and there are plenty of settings to experiment with, including the often questionable "beauty" modes found on many smartphones.

Overall, photography isn't the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's main strength, so it isn't for you if camera performance is a priority. However, for day-to-day snaps, it does the job. Camera score: 3/5 TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro review: Battery life 5200mAh capacity 33W fast charging Over 10 hours of continuous video playback The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro doesnt have the largest battery, nor does it charge as quickly as other budget rivals, with its fast charging capped at
33W (the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G can charge at 45W). Still, it powered up to 56% (from empty) after just 30 minutes.

During tests, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro lasted well over a day of standard use with a single charge, and in our benchmark tests, it hit 10 hours and 55 minutes of continuous video playback. Turning on the Max Ink mode boosted battery life in the same tests by around 50 minutes.

Considering the limitations of Max Ink mode, I was expecting a bigger difference in battery life, but that could be a testament to how efficient
the default screen mode is at prolonging battery life.

As with other phones around this price point, theres no wireless charging support, which was a blow coming from a handset that has the ability to
charge over wireless. If youre not bothered about the tech, this wont be an issue, but for people like myself who have wireless charging accessories (including in my car), it does limit the appeal of the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro. Battery life: 3 .5/5 Should I buy the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro? Swipe to scroll horizontally TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Scorecard

Attribute



Notes



Score



Value



Starting at $379.99 / 269 for 256GB model, this is a great-value smartphone although compromises have been made to keep the price low.



4.5/5



Design



A smart, minimalist design makes the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro look more expensive than it is. The matte display is easily the highlight.



4.5/5



Performance



The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro offers solid performance for its price, but keep your expectations in check this is a budget phone, after all. Reading on the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pros unique screen is an absolute joy, however.



3.5/5



Battery life



The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's battery life is good, and with careful use you
could get two days of use on a single charge. The slower charge speed and
lack of wireless charging is disappointing, however; but considering the price, it's understandable.



3.5/5

Buy it if

You read a lot on your phone The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's screen is ideal for reading, with its paper-like display making it comfortable to read everything from ebooks and digital comics, to websites and apps.

You dont want to spend a lot of money Starting at just $379.99 / 269 for the 256GB model, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is a great alternative for people who dont want to shell out the high prices for flagship smartphones.

You only take the odd photo The 50MP camera offers a decent amount of detail and vibrancy for day-to-day snaps, but if photography is a passion, then you wont be that impressed by the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's camera performance . Dont buy it if

You want a phone for mainly watching films and playing games on The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro paper-like screen is fine for watching films, TV shows and playing games, but for the best image quality youll want a more traditional smartphone.

Photography is important to you The camera on the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is
fine for basic snaps, but will quickly show its limitations to those who are more ambitious with their photography.

You like the convenience of wireless charging The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro
doesn't support wireless charging, and it was very much missed during the testing period. If you have wireless chargers dotted around your home (and vehicle), then youll want to pay a bit more for a phone that can make use of them. Also consider

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G This is another budget phone for around the same price, with a bright display and surprisingly impressive cameras. If you want a cheap phone for watching films, the more traditional (yet still bright and vibrant) screen of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G is better suited.

Read our full Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review View Deal

Google Pixel 10a Starting at $499 / 499 / AU$849, the Google Pixel 10a is slightly more expensive than the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, but you get longer battery life and better photo quality, so if those are two important priorities for you, then its worth the extra investment. As a Pixel handset from Google, Android comes with very little extra bloat, which is another strong selling point.

Read our full Google Pixel 10a review View Deal (Image credit: Future) How I tested the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Used it on and off for around a month Used the various display modes to read ebooks and digital comics Due to a busy few months, Ive been using the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro on and off as my main phone during the time Ive had it. This is longer than our usual testing process,
and meant I got a good idea of overall performance of the handset.

I used the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro not just to make calls and browse the
internet, but also loaded several ebooks to read using the handsets variety
of screen modes. I also read digital comics via the Android versions of the Marvel Unlimited and Kindle apps. I also took photos and watched videos. Read TechRadars reviews guarantee First reviewed: July 2026 Price comparison: Find the best deal for your next phone Contract Deals Sim Free Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) Contract Deals Sim Free See all prices (80 found) Filter Recommended Data (high to low) Data (low to
high) Monthly cost (high to low) Monthly cost (low to high) Price (high to low) Price (low to high) voucher gift TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro (512GB Blue) 24 months data 30GB 19 upfront Monthly 16.95 /mth 19 upfront 16.95 /mth Visit Website at Fonehouse voucher gift TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro (512GB Blue) 24 months data 100GB 29 upfront Monthly 19 /mth 29 upfront 19 /mth Visit Website at Fonehouse voucher gift TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro (512GB Blue) 24 months data 100GB 25 upfront Monthly 16.95 /mth 25 upfront 16.95 /mth Visit Website at
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