The TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER 5G is a mid-range phone built around a matte, paper-like display. TCL announced it at IFA 2024 on September 5, 2024. The cheaper TCL 50 NXTPAPER 5G arrived at the same time. The phone is not sold in the US. In Europe, it launched at €299 with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. TCL also planned sales in Latin America.
Design and display
The phone has a 6.8-inch IPS LCD with 2460 x 1080 pixels. It refreshes at up to 120 Hz. TCL calls the panel NXTPAPER. Its matte surface cuts glare, and the software adds adaptive color temperature and a Night Light mode. A dedicated NXTPAPER key on the right side switches between three reading modes. Max Ink Mode turns the screen black and white and mutes most notifications.
The body measures 167.6 x 75.5 x 7.99 mm and weighs 196 grams. The Moon Gray and Midnight Blue versions use a basalt fiber back. The colors are Moon Gray, Midnight Blue, Alps White, Pale Gold and Rosy Purple. Not every color is sold in every market. A fingerprint reader sits in the side power key.
Performance
A MediaTek Dimensity 6300 powers the phone. This 6 nm chip pairs two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4 GHz with six Cortex-A55 cores. It is an entry-level 5G chip, so reviews note that demanding games run poorly. The single version has 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. A microSD slot adds more space, and NFC is included for contactless payments.
Cameras
The rear module holds a 108 MP main camera and an 8 MP ultrawide. A 2 MP macro camera completes it. The front camera has 32 MP, while the regular TCL 50 NXTPAPER 5G gets only 8 MP. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30 fps. TCL also adds art-style NXTPAPER camera filters.
Battery and charging
The battery has a capacity of 5,010 mAh. Wired charging runs at up to 33W, and a charger comes in the box. There is no wireless charging, but the phone can charge other devices over a cable. In Max Ink Mode, TCL claims up to seven days of reading. That assumes about four hours of use per day.
Software and updates
The phone shipped with Android 14 and TCL UI 7. TCL promises two major Android upgrades. Reviews give different lengths for security support, so check the update policy before you buy. Some third-party apps come preinstalled, but you can remove them.
Should you buy the TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER 5G?
This phone suits people who read a lot on their phone and want less glare. The large storage, microSD slot, headphone jack and charger in the box add practical value. However, the Dimensity 6300 is a modest chip, and video stops at 1080p. If you play games or shoot a lot of video, a phone with a faster chip fits better.
