TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G

The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G is an affordable 5G phone that stands out for one reason: its screen. TCL's NXTPAPER technology gives the 6.78-inch display a matte, paper-like finish that reduces glare and fingerprints, and it is paired with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chip, a 50MP main camera and a 5010 mAh battery. This page is based on the published specifications and manufacturer information, and it explains what the phone does well, who it suits and where the budget shows.

Where the 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G fits

TCL is best known for televisions, but its phone business has built an identity around NXTPAPER, a family of display technologies designed to make screens easier on the eyes. This model is sold on TCL's US site and is positioned as a low-cost entry in that family: a phone whose pitch is comfortable reading, calmer colours and a more paper-like feel, not raw speed. The model number on the specification sheet is T705M (256GB) and T705M1 (128GB), and both versions carry 8GB of RAM. TCL also lists a single colour, Space Blue, which in the official pictures looks like a dark slate with a stone-like texture on the back.

The US store page shows a promotional price and a higher regular price, but neither is a clearly stated launch price, so no price is quoted here. Because the phone targets budget buyers, it competes with entry-level and lower mid-range models such as the Galaxy A27, the Galaxy A37 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15, as well as phones such as the OPPO A6 Pro and the vivo V60e that chase big batteries and cameras instead.

Design and display

The phone measures 167.6 x 75.5 x 8.22 mm and weighs 199.5 g, so it is a fairly large, slightly heavy handset. The back has a textured, slate-like surface and a large circular camera island, and the front shows a display with thin bezels and a centred punch-hole selfie camera. The fingerprint reader sits on the side, and face unlock is also supported.

The display is a 6.78-inch IPS LCD with a 1080 x 2460 resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio, protected by 2.5D glass. The refresh rate is 120Hz and the touch sampling rate is up to 240Hz. TCL says that the NXTPAPER layers give a matte, reduced-glare surface that keeps colours visible in full sun and reduces the appearance of fingerprints, and that the screen filters 61% more blue light than a conventional display; these are manufacturer claims, and the test conditions are not described on the page. It is worth knowing that NXTPAPER here means a surface and filtering treatment on an LCD, not an e-ink display. An IPS LCD cannot match an AMOLED panel for contrast or deep blacks, and the matte layer usually softens how sharp and punchy images look, so the trade-off is comfort versus vividness. TCL does not list a peak brightness figure on the page.

Performance and software

The chip is the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, an octa-core processor running at up to 2.4 GHz with 5G support. It is an entry-level 5G chip, and it will handle messaging, browsing, streaming and light gaming, but it is not intended for demanding titles. Memory is 8GB of physical RAM, which TCL supplements with 8GB of virtual RAM through its NXTURBO feature; the virtual part is borrowed from storage and is not a true increase in speed. Storage is 128GB or 256GB, and about 105GB is listed as user-available in the 128GB version. A microSD card of up to 2TB can be added, which is a rare convenience in the current market.

The operating system is Android 15. TCL mentions integrated AI features without detailing them, and the specification sheet does not give an official update policy, so the length of software support is an open question that should be checked with TCL or a retailer. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (so no Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a wired FM radio. For SIM options, the phone has one nano-SIM slot plus eSIM, depending on the carrier. Two speakers with DTS 3D Boom Sound are listed, and TCL also notes hearing-aid compatibility. The sheet does not give an IP dust and water rating, so assume the phone is not certified against water.

Camera

The rear camera system has three sensors: a 50MP main camera with a macro mode, a 5MP ultrawide and a 2MP depth sensor. Focus uses PDAF on the main camera and fixed focus on the other two, electronic image stabilisation is available, and video is recorded at 1080p and 30 frames per second, so there is no 4K recording. The front camera has 32MP with a fixed focus and a screen flash, also with 1080p/30 video. As with most budget phones, the depth sensor mostly helps portrait effects and adds little image quality by itself. The 50MP main camera is the one that matters, and it should do well in daylight, whereas low-light shots, zoom and stabilised video are likely to be weaker points. TCL does not publish sensor sizes or aperture values on the page.

Battery and charging

The battery is rated at 5010 mAh, a comfortable size for a phone with a 6.78-inch LCD. Charging is 18W over USB-C, with a listed full charge time of about 2.5 hours, and the box does not include a charger, so you need to buy or reuse one. That is slow by current standards, but it is consistent with the price. TCL lists standby, talk and video playback times as "TBD" on the sheet, so there are no official endurance numbers to cite. A lower-power LCD, a modest chip and the 120Hz option, which you can lower if you want to save battery, are factors that suggest decent endurance, but that is an expectation and not a measurement.

Who it is for

This phone suits people who read a lot on their phone, spend long hours on documents, e-books and social feeds, or find standard glossy OLED screens tiring in bright light. It is also an easy recommendation for those who want a headphone jack, a memory card slot and 5G at a low price. Parents buying a first phone or anyone who wants a calmer screen will find the display the main reason to choose it.

For a direct side-by-side view, see TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G vs Galaxy A27. To see where it lands in the wider market, check the rankings.

Compromises to keep in mind

• LCD, not AMOLED: contrast and black levels cannot match OLED, and the matte layer softens images.
• Entry-level performance: the Dimensity 6100+ is suited to everyday use and light games.
• Slow 18W charging and no charger in the box: a full charge takes about 2.5 hours.
• Basic video and selfie hardware: 1080p/30 recording and a fixed-focus front camera.
• No IP rating listed and older Wi-Fi: there is no water or dust certification and only Wi-Fi 5 is listed.
• Heavy for its class: 199.5 g and 8.22 mm thick.
• Launch date and price not stated on the official page: the release date used here is approximate.

In summary, the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G is a niche but sensible budget phone. It trades screen punch and speed for eye comfort, a large battery, expandable storage and the basics that many phones have dropped, and for the right user that is a good bargain.