TCL NXTpaper 70 Pro review
This phone is for people who read for hours daily on their device and value eye comfort and durability over gaming or photography. Anyone buying a smartphone primarily for video, apps, or games should look elsewhere.
This review is written with AI assistance from TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL NXTpaper 70 Pro, 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 NXTpaper 70 Pro is a large-screen e-ink hybrid designed for reading and productivity rather than gaming or content consumption. Its standout strength is the waterproof, glare-free 6.9-inch display that reads like paper outdoors; weakness is middling performance and no charger speed details, which limits appeal for power users.
Design & Build
At 208 grams and 8 mm thick, the NXTpaper 70 Pro sits comfortably between a tablet and a large phone. The glass front with Asahi Glass and plastic frame feel solid but not premium; you are not paying for flagship materials here. What matters more is the IP68 rating—survive submersion to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes—which is genuinely useful for a device meant to be read outdoors or carried without babying. The stylus support signals intent toward productivity, and the weight distribution feels balanced for one-handed reading, though at 6.67 inches wide it will stretch smaller hands. The two color options (Nebula Gold, Stellar Blue) are understated, fitting a work-focused device rather than a status symbol.
Display
The 6.9-inch e-ink hybrid is where this phone defines itself. The 900-nit brightness is exceptional for an e-ink screen—you can read outdoors in sunlight without a washout or glare problem. The 120Hz refresh on a display that normally feels static is a clever move, making scrolling and page turns feel fluid rather than sluggish. Resolution sits at 374 ppi, which is adequate but not sharp; fine details in text at maximum zoom are slightly softer than modern flagships, but for sustained reading that actually helps reduce eye fatigue. The IPS LCD tech and Asahi Glass (Mohs level 5) promise durability, though scratch-resistance is only middle-of-the-road. For anyone who spends hours a day reading documents, emails, or ebooks, this screen is the real reason to buy the phone.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 7300 is a capable mid-range processor from 2025-2026, solid for daily email, messaging, reading apps, and web browsing. Eight gigabytes of RAM keeps multitasking smooth when you switch between documents, PDFs, and browsers. Expect no lag in typical productivity work. However, frame drops will show up in demanding games, and rendering in creative apps (photo editing, video work) will be noticeably slower than a flagship Snapdragon or MediaTek flagship equivalent. For a reading-first device, this is the right chip—it does not waste battery on raw gaming power you will not use—but power users moving from a flagship will notice the step down. Side-mounted fingerprint is fast and reliable.
Software
Android 16 is current and welcome, though we do not yet know TCL's track record for timely updates on this model. For a productivity device, the OS is a platform more than a selling point. The stylus support suggests the interface will be optimized for note-taking and markup, but without hands-on review we cannot judge whether that translates to fluid real-world experience. Expect standard Android ecosystems and no bloat beyond TCL's own apps.
Camera
The 50 MP wide camera with f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization is adequate for daylight snapshots and casual photography, especially with the 1/1.56-inch sensor and phase-detect autofocus. However, the 8 MP ultrawide (120 degrees, f/4.0) is weak—dim, narrow, and grainy in low light. The 32 MP selfie camera is decent for video calls and selfies but has no stabilization. Video caps out at 4K 30fps, which is behind the norm for devices at this price; most rivals offer 60fps or higher at this spec. For a reading and productivity phone, the camera is a nice-to-have that underperforms. Do not buy this for photos or video.
Battery & Charging
The 5200 mAh battery suits the modest power draw of an e-ink screen and mid-range processor. For light users (reading, email, messaging), expect 1.5 to 2 days per charge. Heavy multitasking, video streaming, or gaming will drain it to a single day. A critical omission: the spec sheet lists no charging speed or wattage, which is a red flag. At this battery size, 33W (the figure in the GSM database) would charge from zero to full in about 1.5 hours, which is acceptable but not fast; 15W or 18W would be slow. Without confirmation, assume a middle-of-the-road speed that will not excite fast-charging enthusiasts.
Value & Verdict Context
At €290 to £270, the NXTpaper 70 Pro occupies an awkward middle ground. It costs more than a basic 5G Android phone but less than a true flagship, yet it is not trying to do what either of those phones does. Its value hinges entirely on whether you spend most of your screen time reading, writing, or browsing documents. For that user, the e-ink hybrid screen and water resistance are worth the trade-offs in gaming and camera performance. For anyone expecting a general-purpose smartphone with a gimmick display, it will feel slow and one-dimensional. The lack of charging speed details is frustrating in a purchasing context and suggests the company is not confident in the number.
Verdict
This phone is for people who read for hours daily on their device and value eye comfort and durability over gaming or photography. Anyone buying a smartphone primarily for video, apps, or games should look elsewhere.
- 6.9-inch e-ink hybrid display with 900 nits brightness and 120Hz refresh keeps reading and scrolling comfortable outdoors without eye strain
- IP68 water and dust resistance lets you carry it to the beach or use it in wet conditions without worry
- Dimensity 7300 and 8GB RAM handle reading apps, email, web browsing, and light office work smoothly without lag
- Stylus support and Android 16 make it versatile for note-taking and document markup alongside reading
- No charging speed listed in specs—a serious omission for a 5200 mAh battery that could mean hours on the charger depending on wattage
- 4K video capped at 30fps and weak ultrawide camera (8 MP, f/4.0) make it a poor choice for photography or video work
- Dimensity 7300 will struggle noticeably in demanding games or heavy multitasking, unlike true flagship performance at this price
TCL NXTpaper 70 Pro Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, January 05 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz, 900 nits (typ) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~374 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Battery | 5200 mAh |
| Software | Android 16 |
| Dimensions | 169.4 x 80.1 x 8 mm (6.67 x 3.15 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Asahi Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
TCL NXTpaper 70 Pro FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the NXTpaper 70 Pro support 5G?
Yes. The NXTpaper 70 Pro supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the NXTpaper 70 Pro use?
The NXTpaper 70 Pro runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm).
What display does the NXTpaper 70 Pro have?
A 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 900 nits (typ), 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~374 ppi density).
How big is the NXTpaper 70 Pro battery?
The NXTpaper 70 Pro has a 5200 mAh battery.
Does the NXTpaper 70 Pro have NFC?
Yes, the NXTpaper 70 Pro has NFC.
Is the NXTpaper 70 Pro water resistant?
The NXTpaper 70 Pro carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support rating.
Does the NXTpaper 70 Pro support a microSD card?
Yes, the NXTpaper 70 Pro supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the NXTpaper 70 Pro isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
P80 Pro
P80
NxtPaper 60 Ultra
P80 Ultra
Galaxy A37
