TCL's $200 NXTPAPER 5G phone is easy on the eyes and the wallet

Samsung, Google, and Motorola are the brands you hear about most when talking about Android phones in the US. However, there are other brands out there, and if you're looking for something affordable that still offers a good experience, we think that the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G is well worth taking a look at.

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By  Will Sattelberg

Something different for a change

TCL's devices often rely on a NXTPAPER display technology that mimics the look and feel of paper. Not only do you get something that's easier on the eyes, but it also offers certain advantages, like reducing eye strain and an improved viewing experience outdoors and from different angles thanks to glare reduction.

The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G features a large 6.8-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip and paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You can also expand the latter using a microSD card, with support for up to 2TB. When it comes to the cameras, you get a 50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP depth sensor and 32MP selfie camera.

You can expect all-day battery life with its 5,100mAh battery, and there's 18W charging, which isn't the fastest, so we recommend charging it overnight. The software gets an update to Android 16, and it also gets two years of security updates from the time of its launch, which means updates will end sometime late 2027.

We know that isn't what some would like to see, but TCL isn't exactly known for its software updates. It is well below the curve, with most companies now offering seven years of Android updates. Naturally, the price of the product will have an effect, so you'll have to factor that into your purchase if it's worth it.

TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G

Something different from the usual, the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G offers an experience you won't find on other Android phones at a price that's easy to afford.

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