Not all phones aim to impress in the same way. Some try to grab attention with enormous specs, increasingly bulky camera modules, or processors that promise to handle everything with ease. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro plays in a different league. It doesn't aspire to be the most powerful, the best photographer, or the most eye-catching phone on display. Its approach is much more specific, and also more unusual in today's market: to offer a more comfortable , cleaner, and less visually jarring experience.
After reviewing everything this model offers, it's clear that TCL wanted to build a phone around its screen , and not the other way around.
All of the above are very obvious advantages, but they also require accepting certain compromises. That's why this isn't your typical phone that's easy to recommend to just anyone. Rather, it's a device designed for those who spend many hours reading, browsing, reviewing documents, checking websites, or consuming content and are starting to notice that most traditional screens are like a small flashlight shining in their face.
Design and ergonomics: large, understated, and better finished than it appears
The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro stands out with its modern design. It features a flat frame, a straight front, and a flat back, all of which contribute to a simple, clean aesthetic without any unusual features. It doesn't look like a cheap phone, but it doesn't try to project a particularly luxurious image either. It strikes a good balance between quality and substance, conveying a sense of solidity and leaving a better impression than expected for its price range.
However, one thing needs to be made clear: this is a large phone. Its 6,9-inch screen places it in a category designed for those who prioritize screen size over one-handed ease of use. It's not a particularly compact or lightweight device, and its 208 grams are noticeable. On the other hand, the form factor makes perfect sense in a product that aims to be a kind of hybrid e-reader for everyday use. Here, the size isn't a whim, but rather an integral part of the design.
I also appreciate that TCL hasn't overlooked practical details. The IP68 certification is a plus for a device that will see heavy use, and the side-mounted fingerprint reader seems like a logical choice: fast, convenient, and less problematic than some under-display sensors found in mid-range phones. Overall, the phone doesn't try to be too flashy with its design, but it does feel well-executed, which is sometimes what matters most.
Screen: the main protagonist
If this phone has a real selling point, it's here. The NXTPAPER 4.0 display isn't just another panel with a catchy name. It's the heart of the device. TCL has opted for a 6,9-inch matte screen with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a very different treatment than the conventional panels we usually see on the market.
The first major difference lies in the finish. The absence of reflections significantly improves the user experience. Reading on the screen feels more natural, more relaxed, and considerably less distracting in many everyday situations. Furthermore, the surface appears less dirty at first glance, a minor point until you go back to a conventional glass screen covered in fingerprints and notice the difference. Here, the screen feels constantly clean, and that's more appreciated than you might think.
The second difference lies in the feel. It doesn't have that slightly sticky glide that appears on many glass screens when they accumulate dirt or after prolonged use. Here, your finger glides more smoothly, and it also seems to be a particularly responsive panel for stylus use, which fits perfectly with the idea of the T-Pen as a complementary accessory.
Then there's the famous NXTPAPER button, which lets you quickly switch between different display modes. TCL has come up with a pretty clever idea, because it's more than just a cute visual filter. The color paper mode retains some of the vibrancy but reduces the visual impact for more comfortable reading. The ink mode eliminates color and turns the phone into a rather convincing makeshift e-reader. And the Max Ink mode goes a step further: it reduces distractions, limits background activity, and aims to make the experience almost entirely focused on reading.
However, it's important not to idealize this screen. It has a clear advantage in visual comfort, but it doesn't offer the same visual impact as other, more spectacular panels. It doesn't aim to dazzle with exaggerated colors or deep, black displays. The approach here is different. It's a screen designed to rest your eyes, not to impress in a quick five-second comparison. And that difference needs to be understood, because it's precisely what will make some people love it and others find it less impressive.
Real-life user experience
The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage options. On paper, it's not particularly impressive, but it doesn't need to be. The overall impression is of a competent, fluid phone, reasonably well-suited to its intended use.
In everyday use, it handles browsing, social media, messaging, reading, multimedia consumption, note-taking, light productivity, and typical multitasking with ease. It can even hold its own in games, as long as you don't expect the performance of a device clearly geared towards gaming. In other words, it's not exceptional, but it's not lacking either. It's in that middle ground where it performs adequately without being overly ambitious.
One particularly positive detail is the thermal management. In these types of large devices, designed for extended use, it's crucial that the phone doesn't overheat. Here, TCL seems to have done its homework, and that improves the experience far more than an occasional power spike.
Battery and software
With a 5.200 mAh battery and 33W fast charging, the battery life is within expectations, but with an added advantage: the screen's design and Max Ink mode help extend battery life when used as a reader or for extended periods of reading. It doesn't seem like a phone that will struggle to make it through the day, which is good news considering the screen size.
The charging isn't particularly fast compared to other models that are already operating at a different speed, but it's not a deal-breaker for me. It's more in line with a sensible phone than one obsessed with the headline.
On the software side, it comes with Android 16 and TCL UI 9.0. Here, the brand places considerable emphasis on features related to both the screen and artificial intelligence. There are tools for writing, transcription, summarizing voice notes, real-time translation, subtitles, an audiobook generator, and image editing. On paper, it sounds ambitious, but the important thing is that these features don't feel forced. On a phone so focused on text consumption, reading, and light productivity, they make perfect sense.
Cameras
Where the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro clearly prioritizes certain aspects is in photography. It features a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. The word that best summarizes the result is "adequate."
In good lighting, the main camera delivers pleasing results, with vibrant colors and adequate performance for everyday photos, social media, and messaging. It's not a problematic camera for the average user, but neither is it one that inspires high expectations. However, in low light or when using excessive zoom, its limitations become apparent. The ultra-wide-angle lens is just adequate, zooming beyond 2x becomes largely pointless, and video recording falls back into a mediocre, passable category.
I don't necessarily see it as a serious flaw, because this phone isn't trying to sell itself as a leading camera device. But it's important to be clear: anyone looking for a camera-centric phone won't find it here. This is a phone that puts its money and attention into the screen. The camera is there to get the job done, not to show off.
Editor's opinion
The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro ( 310 euros on Amazon ) is one of those phones that has more personality than its technical specifications suggest at first glance. It doesn't compete on raw power or photography, but on something much less common: making looking at the screen for hours a more comfortable, cleaner, and more enjoyable experience.
Its greatest strength lies in its NXTPAPER 4.0 technology, its matte finish, its reading modes, and the feeling that the device is designed for those who read a lot, consult frequently, and spend half their lives looking at a screen. Add to that a simple design, sufficient performance, good battery life, and a fairly coherent approach to software and smart features.
However, it's also a phone with clear limitations. It's large, its cameras aren't particularly impressive, and its screen doesn't aim for the hyper-saturated visual impact that many people associate with a good display. Precisely for this reason, it's not a universal smartphone. But for the right user, it can be a very smart choice.
Ultimately, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro doesn't try to be the best at everything. It tries to excel at one very specific thing, and it succeeds. For those who prioritize the screen experience over raw power or ambitious photography, it makes much more sense than it might initially seem.