As smartphones become more and more integrated into our daily lives, we have noticed that technology companies have started to implement features that prioritize user well-being.
For example, Nokia manufacturer HMD markets its line of feature phones (sometimes called dumb phones) as a way to escape heavy social media use, and companies like Honor have launched phones with built-in eye protection technology.
TCL is apparently looking to give users the best of both worlds with its 50 Nxtpaper 5G and 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G smartphones, which the manufacturer revealed at IFA on September 5.
Both phones feature a 6.8-inch 1080 x 2640 anti-glare display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which TCL says adapts to lighting conditions to minimize blue light, and a new physical anti-distraction switch.
The switch, which TCL calls the “Nxtpaper Key,” lets users choose between standard, full-color e-paper and a Kindle-style display mode the company calls Max Ink, described by TCL as an “electronic ink format.” It’s not clear whether TCL is using E Ink technology, licensed from the company of the same name, or another form of e-paper. We’ve reached out to TCL for comment.
TCL says this Max Ink mode “limits social media apps/notifications” in an attempt to discourage users from scrolling unnecessarily and encourage more focused use, particularly for reading.
In recent months, the term “brainrot” has joined “doomscrolling” as a common way to refer to the effects of intensive social media use, and it seems that TCL is looking to combat and capitalize on this trend of dissatisfaction.
By implementing this “Nxtpaper Key” option, TCL may be looking to attract customers who want to reduce their social media usage without losing access to valuable smartphone features, such as maps or web browsing. We’ve reached out to TCL for clarification on what “limiting social media” actually means.
The TCL 50 Nxtpaper is more power than functionality
AI features come courtesy of a partnership between TCL and Microsoft
Despite TCL's focus on conscious usage, the 50 Nxtpaper 5G and 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G are definitely not feature phones; their respective specs are, on paper (pun intended), relatively impressive.
The 50 Nxtpaper 5G comes equipped with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 108MP main rear camera, an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,010mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.
The 50 Nxtpaper Pro, priced at £279.99, ups the RAM to 16GB and storage to 512GB, and increases the selfie camera to 32MP.
The AI features come courtesy of a partnership between TCL and Microsoft, and the phones offer translation, voice memo transcription and text summarization.
The two new phones launch alongside a tablet, the TCL Nxtpaper 14, which is equipped with a 14.3-inch 2400 x 1600 display and the same Max Ink capabilities as its smartphone cousins, priced at £399.
At the time of writing, neither of these products have a confirmed US release date, and the basic Nxtpaper 50 still has no UK release date. So be sure to keep up with our phone coverage for updates.
