TCL 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G is One of 2024's Most Interesting Phones

Trade shows can throw out some interesting products and IFA 2024 is no different. It tends to be thin on the ground for new phones but TCL has something rather intriguing on show in Berlin.

Physical switches on phones are typically limited to the do not disturb ones on iPhone and OnePlus models, but TCL’s Nxtpaper Key does something completely different and far more magical.

Chris Martin / Foundry

On the 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G, it allows the display to switch between different viewing modes. If you’re using the regular colour paper option, flicking the switch summons a menu where you can choose Ink Paper Mode or Max Ink Mode.

Once you’ve chosen which you want, it transitions with a satisfying animation imitating ink being splashed,. See it in action in the post below:

The Max Ink Mode offers an e-reader style experience (though the display isn’t actually E Ink) and means you can comfortably read with much longer battery life than a regular smartphone – up to a week!

You can also use some apps in this mode, so it’s not limited to simply getting stuck into the latest gritty novel.

Chris Martin / Foundry

The handset doesn’t exactly scrimp on specs elsewhere either, with a 108Mp main camera, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 512GB of storage and a 5010mAh battery.

All of this comes in a suitably thin and light chassis which feels nice and comes in a range of colours depending on markets. There’s an eye-catching gold option reminiscent of C3PO, but I’d likely just opt for the blue one.

Perhaps the best thing is it will only cost you £280! It won one of our Tech Advisor Best in Show awards for IFA 2024 for a reason.