I finally found a phone I can stare at for hours without tiring my eyes, and now I'm spoiled

Display tech is a major focus for brands at MWC 2026. Samsung just introduced its new Privacy Display feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, while Lenovo has unveiled its expandable Legion Go Fold Concept here on the show floor in Barcelona.

TCL, however, takes a different route compared to most brands. Instead of chasing higher brightness or refresh rates, the company has focused on making displays easier on the eyes with its NXTPAPER tech.

I've personally been interested in NXTPAPER for a while, especially since my screen-on time keeps increasing and doesn't seem to be going down anytime soon. That said, I've never fully considered switching to a TCL phone because the overall hardware and specs didn't quite match up with competitors.

At MWC 2026, TCL has introduced the NXTPAPER 70 Pro, a new smartphone that not only brings the latest version of its eye-friendly display but also comes with hardware that finally feels competitive. It might just be the first TCL phone that makes me seriously consider switching.

The NXTPAPER 70 Pro is available now in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, starting at €299. It isn't currently available in the US, but TCL says it will arrive sometime in April 2026, so the wait should not be too long.

The NXTPAPER 70 Pro features a large 6.9-inch display, which uses the company's NXTPAPER 4.0 tech. The moment you pick up the phone and touch the screen, you immediately feel the difference compared to other smartphones. It doesn't feel like a typical glossy glass panel. Instead, it has a matte surface, using a nano-textured finish that mimics paper.

TCL says the NXTPAPER tech on the 70 Pro reduces eye fatigue by minimizing exposure to blue light, while the textured display also helps cut down glare. It isn't the brightest display I've seen on a smartphone, but it still supports a 120Hz refresh rate, so you don't feel like you are sacrificing much compared to other Android phones.

The real magic sits on the side of the phone. The NXTPAPER 70 Pro includes a dedicated slide key that switches the display into NXTPAPER mode. It's basically a switch to transform your phone into a Kindle or Kobo on demand.

TCL offers three NXTPAPER modes: Max Ink Mode, Ink Paper Mode, and Color Paper Mode. The Color Paper Mode retains some color while applying a softer paper-like finish that is much easier on the eyes. What really impressed me about this mode is that the phone still functions like a "full" Android device with smooth animations and all features available, but with the added comfort of a matte, paper-style display.

The Ink Paper Mode switches the display to a black-and-white interface, while Max Ink Mode essentially transforms the device into an e-reader built for long reading sessions. TCL claims the phone can deliver up to seven days of reading time and up to 26 days on standby in this mode.

What's even more impressive is that you can use the device as a note-taking tool on the go, as it supports TCL's T-Pen stylus. There isn't any slot on the phone to store the stylus, though, so you'd have to carry that separately.

Apart from the paper-like display, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro seems like a solid mid-range phone as well. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and is backed by a sizeable 5,200mAh battery.

There is support for up to 30W wired fast charging, although if you primarily use the phone in NXTPAPER mode, you probably will not need to charge it that often. It comes with 8GB of RAM, and thankfully starts with 256GB of storage on the base variant.

The phone runs on Android 16 out of the box with TCL's own Android skin on top, which I found smooth and fluid to navigate. TCL has also integrated several AI features into its software, like photo editing and text summary/generation tools, plus you get access to Google's Gemini as well.

On the camera side, you get a 50MP primary sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 32MP front camera for selfies and video calls. We didn't get enough time to properly test the camera during our short hands-on session at the TCL booth, though I'd keep expectations on the lower side in this area, given the budget nature of this phone.

If you're someone who wants to cut down on screen time, or make what screen time you do have better, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro could be an excellent choice. But if you'd rather have something a little more eccentric as your next device, then check out the other stuff we've covered during MWC 2026, and what we've nominated MWC 2026 Best in Show.

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