In an era where smartphone screens bombard our eyes with relentless blue light and glare, the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G emerges as a $250 antidote. As Jason Howell details in his hands-on review for ZDNET, this budget Android device centers on TCL's Nxtpaper 3.0 technology—a matte-coated display designed to reduce eye fatigue. For developers and tech enthusiasts drowning in code reviews or endless scrolling, it’s a provocative experiment in hardware-driven digital wellbeing, even if it sacrifices performance for principle.

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The Paper-Like Display: Innovation with Trade-Offs

At its core, the Nxtpaper display isn't e-ink but a standard 1080p LCD panel layered with a specialized matte coating. Howell describes the effect as transformative: reduced blue light, near-elimination of reflections, and a tactile, paper-like texture that minimizes fingerprints. The phone features a dedicated physical "Nxtpaper Key" that toggles between modes:
- Color Paper Mode: Muted colors for comfortable all-day use, even for video.
- Ink Paper Mode: Grayscale interface for distraction-free reading.
- Max Ink Mode: Ultra-minimalist experience that suspends background processes, extending battery life beyond a week but limiting functionality.

As Howell notes: "The coating addresses a slew of common downsides of modern displays... but washes out in direct sunlight." This trade-off highlights a key limitation—outdoor usability suffers, making it ideal for indoor or shaded environments.

Performance and Battery: Function Over Flash

Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chip and 8GB of RAM, the 60 XE handles basics like web browsing and messaging adequately but stumbles under heavier loads. Camera launches lag, and animations lack fluidity, reflecting its budget constraints. Howell calls it "modest but serviceable," a reminder that TCL prioritized display innovation over raw power.

Battery life, however, shines. The 5,010mAh cell routinely lasts a full day with 20-30% reserve, supported by 18W wired charging. Max Ink Mode pushes this further, offering over a week of use for essentials—a boon for digital detox advocates.

Camera and Longevity: Where Compromises Bite

The camera system epitomizes the phone’s cost-cutting. Shots are soft and grainy, especially in low light or with the ultrawide lens. Howell bluntly states: "This is not the phone for the discerning camera buff." Software support is equally sparse, with only one OS upgrade to Android 16 and two years of security patches—a short shelf life for tech professionals.

Why This Matters: A Niche with Broader Implications

For under $300, the 60 XE carves a unique niche in a market saturated with glossy screens. It signals a growing demand for eye-friendly tech, particularly as remote work and app dependency strain users. Developers might see it as a blueprint for minimalism-focused devices, though alternatives like the CMF Phone 2 Pro offer better performance. As digital wellbeing trends accelerate, TCL’s gamble could inspire more hardware that prioritizes health over horsepower—proving that sometimes, less glare means more clarity.

Source: Review and analysis based on Jason Howell's testing for ZDNET.