TCL 50 XL NxtPaper review
The TCL 50 XL suits someone who reads or works on their phone for hours daily and values a large, gentle display over pure speed or premium features. Skip it if you game seriously, take lots of photos in low light, or expect flagship charging and performance at a budget price.
This review is based on TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL 50 XL NxtPaper, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The TCL 50 XL NxtPaper is a large, comfortable phone for reading and media with a 6.78-inch 120Hz screen and e-ink-inspired NxtPaper display tech, but its mid-range Dimensity 6100+ chip and 18W charging are behind the pace for 2024 even at a budget price.
Design & build
At 198.7g and 8.2mm thick, the TCL 50 XL is light and reasonably slim for a 6.78-inch phone, which makes it easier to hold one-handed than many large rivals. The phone is a straightforward slab with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a single raised camera module—nothing daring, but clean and functional. For a 2024 budget phone, it hits a practical middle ground: not premium, but not flimsy either. The large footprint does make it less pocket-friendly for smaller hands, so try it before committing.
Display
The 6.78-inch 120Hz IPS LCD with NxtPaper technology is the phone's defining feature. The NxtPaper coating mimics e-ink behaviour—reduced gloss, lower flicker, warmer tones—which genuinely eases eye strain during long reading or document sessions. At 1080p and 396ppi, individual pixels are faintly visible at arm's length, but in normal use the screen looks sharp enough. The 120Hz refresh makes scrolling smooth and Netflix playback fluid, a welcome step up from 60Hz budget phones. If you spend hours reading news, books, or emails daily, this display stands out. For gaming or photo viewing, it is ordinary.
Performance
The Dimensity 6100+ is a mainstream midrange chip—it powers everyday apps, social media, streaming, and light gaming without stuttering, but demanding games like Genshin Impact or sustained heavy multitasking will expose its limits. Real-world speed feels snappy for routine work, and 6GB RAM keeps most apps in memory without constant reloading. Compared to 2024 rivals at the same price, this is middle-of-the-road: a step above budget phones, but not a performance standout. Think messaging, maps, casual games, and video calls. Expect minor lag in graphics-heavy tasks or when opening ten apps in quick succession.
Software
Android 14 ships on the TCL 50 XL, and the software story will depend on TCL's update commitment—historically middling. Expect one or two major Android updates and security patches for a few years, but don't bet on five years of support like Samsung or Google offer. The interface is mostly stock Android with light TCL customization, so bloat is minimal. Updates will arrive slower than on flagship brands, and custom ROM communities are thinner for TCL devices, so if timely software matters to you, this is a weak point.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with PDAF captures clean, sharp daylight photos and records 1080p video at 30fps without issue. The 5MP ultrawide adds framing flexibility for group shots and landscapes, though it suffers from typical ultra-wide distortion and lower detail. In daylight, results are competent; in dim indoor light or night scenes, noise climbs quickly and detail softens because the sensor is small and aperture modest. The 32MP selfie camera is fine for video calls and casual portraits. Compared to 2024 rivals, this camera is not a weakness, but it is not a strength either—good enough for daily posting to social media, not for enthusiasts or professionals.
Battery & charging
The 5010mAh battery delivers roughly 1.5 to 2 days of typical mixed use on the large display, which is solid endurance. Heavy media playback or gaming tightens that to one day, and light use might stretch to two and a half days. The real bottleneck is 18W charging, which takes about 60–90 minutes from empty—acceptable if you charge overnight, but frustrating if you need a quick boost before leaving home. By 2024 standards, even budget phones regularly ship with 66W or faster, making the TCL feel sluggish in the charging queue. A morning commute will not top you up in ten minutes; plan accordingly.
Value & verdict-context
The TCL 50 XL sits in the budget-to-midrange gap where pricing is tight. Its core appeal is the large, eye-friendly NxtPaper display for readers, combined with decent battery life and the bonus of a headphone jack and microSDXC slot—comforts that matter to cost-conscious shoppers in emerging markets. The trade-off is slow charging, a middle-tier chip, and a camera that does the job without excelling. If you value screen comfort and long battery life over performance or fast charging, the value proposition is sound. If you prioritize speed, camera flair, or snappy charging, better options exist at similar prices.
Verdict
The TCL 50 XL suits someone who reads or works on their phone for hours daily and values a large, gentle display over pure speed or premium features. Skip it if you game seriously, take lots of photos in low light, or expect flagship charging and performance at a budget price.
- 6.78-inch 120Hz display with NxtPaper e-ink-like coating cuts eye strain during long reading sessions, a genuine use case advantage over standard LCD rivals
- 5010mAh battery with moderate use yields 1.5–2 days, solid endurance for a large phone without the bloat of foldables
- Keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio, plus microSDXC expansion—useful in price-conscious regions where wired audio is still the norm
- 18W charging is slow even by 2024 mid-range standards; rivals at this price reach 66–100W, making daily top-ups frustrating
- Dimensity 6100+ is entry-level midrange; performance is fine for everyday tasks but will stutter in demanding games or sustained heavy multitasking
- 1080p 50MP camera has modest low-light output and no optical zoom; good for daylight snapshots but outgunned by rivals with larger sensors or 2x tele
TCL 50 XL NxtPaper Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, June 26 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Battery | 5010 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm (6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 198.7 g (7.02 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
TCL 50 XL NxtPaper FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 50 XL NxtPaper support 5G?
Yes. The 50 XL NxtPaper supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 50 XL NxtPaper use?
The 50 XL NxtPaper runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm).
What display does the 50 XL NxtPaper have?
A 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density).
How big is the 50 XL NxtPaper battery?
The 50 XL NxtPaper has a 5010 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 18W wired.
Does the 50 XL NxtPaper have NFC?
Yes, the 50 XL NxtPaper has NFC.
Does the 50 XL NxtPaper support a microSD card?
Yes, the 50 XL NxtPaper supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the 50 XL NxtPaper have a headphone jack?
Yes, the 50 XL NxtPaper has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the 50 XL NxtPaper isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
50 Pro NXTpaper 5G
50 NXTpaper 5G
50 Pro NxtPaper
50 XL 5G
Galaxy M16 5G
