I tried a clever new Kindle rival that does far more than just let you read books
There's a new Android smartphone launching soon that magically transforms into a an e-reader at the touch of a button.
It's pretty rare these days that a smartphone genuinely stands out from the ever-growing crowd but a new device from the team at TCL is doing exactly that. It’s called the TCL 50 PRO NXTPAPER 5G and it’s just been shown off at the IFA technology show in Berlin where I managed to get my hands on it.
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At first glance, this call maker looks like any other boring Android phone but it has a very neat trick up its sleeve that some will find hugely enticing.
Flick a switch on the side of the case and the 6.8-inch 120Hz colour screen gently transforms into a Kindle-style e-ink display with a paper-like finish.
This makes it perfect for reading your next autobiography or action-packed thriller especially as the screen features a matt finish and anti-glare technology to make it feel more like printed words on actual paper.
Neat idea from TCL pic.twitter.com/QPEoJTFqso
— Dave Snelling (@SnellingD) September 5, 2024
There's a neat night light setting for reading in bed and low blue light technology helps with that all-important eye health. It’s a well-known fact that blue light that's emitted from some screens can impact sleep especially when using them just before bed.
TCL hopes its new 50 PRO NXTPAPER 5G will make reading books and content on the web less intrusive and more enjoyable.
Having put it to the test, it's a very neat idea that works surprisingly well - when in that black and white reading mode you even get access to apps, messages and phone calls.
It also means you don't need to carry both a phone and e-reader in your bag on your next trip away. There is another bonus of switching to the monotone setting with TCL promising up to 7 days of battery life on a single charge. That's way more than the one or two days most modern smartphones can currently muster.
Other features on the TCL 50 PRO NXTPAPER 5G include a triple-lens rear camera with 108MP main sensor, dual stereo speakers, a massive battery and fast 33W charging.
There's also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, facial recognition and full access to 5G data speeds.
We'll hope to bring you a full review in the future but if you fancy a phone with a unique twist the TCL 50 PRO NXTPAPER 5G is one to watch out for.
It's on sale now at stores including Amazon with prices starting from £279.99.
