TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra - A Guest Review by Gareth Williams

TCL - Call me when you get there!

First things first: thanks to Ted for the chance to spend the last few weeks playing with, testing, and evaluating two TCL NxtPaper phones - namely the 50 Pro and 60 Ultra. The former is a smaller unit and arrives without the branded smart folio case or pen included with the larger-screened latter.

Both have the TCL trick of paring back the phone to an e-ink-like experience, not only to maximise battery life but also to provide a streamlined, potentially more focused communication and usage experience. I was considering buying a TCL 70 Pro to fill a gap in my three-phone setup. I usually run with one flagship, one mid-ranger and an older flagship - depending on my particular whim - with one being camera-centric, one being my main do-it-all powerhouse and one for my sideline operations (small media/enterprise stuff that occasionally springs into life).

As things stand, I have a Pixel 10 Pro XL and a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I flit between an older Samsung and a Huawei - so the "No. 3" phone slot is up for grabs! Back to the plot: there I was, contemplating the 70 Pro, when it was suggested I give these two a whirl prior to any final purchase decisions. How right that suggestion was!

I openly admit that I wanted to like the "e-ink" thing and was genuinely open to the TCL 70 Pro being my mid-range phone of choice; its higher storage capacity, smaller size and e-reader style were all of serious interest. However, as soon as I opened up the two NxtPaper phones and signed in to my various accounts, any thoughts of purchasing the 70 Pro evaporated!

From this point on, I only had eyes for the 60 Ultra. If you are looking at this series of phones and the TCL e-ink style setup, the pen and larger screen are a must. I feel it pertinent to state that I fully understand the so-called "e-ink" is not actually e-ink, but an effort to present something akin to that effect on an LCD screen (and it is effective). There is a degree of "horses for courses" here, with phone desirability being very much relative to the use-case.

With all that out of the way, here is what I think of the 60 Ultra from a usability stance, rather than bothering with benchmarks or spec-heavy analysis. I like it! I like the feel - yes, the feel - of the screen. The interaction with the surface is lovely and I like the fact that the pen setup is there, along with the folio case for protection and use as a stand.

Battery

Battery life (when utilising the ink modes) is very much "charge once and forget". I did this on a few occasions without any issues. I liked that.

Screen

Screen quality - in terms of overall visibility - is as good as you would expect. Again, the ink modes work well here and I do enjoy the tactile nature of interacting with it.

Sound

Audio is handled reasonably well. The speakers are certainly loud enough; however, a touch more depth would have been nice.

Cameras

The cameras are OK. The zoom range is acceptable and, in good light, they are fairly capable. There are enough modes to keep the average user happy, but there were some issues with fast focus and motion blur.

There are certainly far better "phone-shooters" out there, better-sounding phones and phones with better screens - and, of course, better-spec'd devices all-round. I think TCL clearly knows this, but - and this is a big "but" - there is just something about this phone. TCL has definitely hit on something with this ink-style system. It was enough to make me think twice - well, three or four times, actually - and I did consider adopting this one full-time. I was not alone, either; there were other admirers within my family!

I really like this phone. Did I say that already? Not as my No.1 device, or even my No.2, but as a device to keep for its positives, despite some definite issues. It feels nice, it looks nice and it is so very close to where it needs to be. And that is why I will be picking up a TCL - just not this one! My ideal TCL phone would have all the positives of this unit but with an AMOLED screen, a more comprehensive camera and a fully functional smart pen - all similar to the Samsung S24 Ultra.

On reflection, perhaps the S24 Ultra is the mid-range phone for me! Except it isn’t mid-range, and it doesn't have that "TCL magic" feel. I am wrestling with myself. I want this e-ink-like option and the "Max Ink" minimalist experience coupled with that lovely tactile screen interaction - especially for reading - but I want it as a layered option on a more premium phone.

TCL - I am enthralled by what you are doing. So much so, I am considering writing a separate piece advocating for your innovation, focusing solely on the genius switch on the side of these phones and the wonderful options the transition presents. You are almost there. Almost, but not quite. When you get there (assuming Samsung et al. don’t jump in and perfect this first), take my money!