This $200 Android is the only smartphone at CES that you should care about

It’s not often that we see smartphone advertisements on Consumer Electronics Show (CES)not when Mobile World Congress (MWC), an exhibition dedicated exclusively to mobile phones, is always just a month away. But it also means that the few smartphone launches that happen in Las Vegas, like TCL’s new 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, get a little more attention than usual.

Quite a simple device

The TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G, no matter how loud its branding may be, is actually a fairly simple device with a discreet design. It features a 6.8-inch FHD+ display, 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage, and a 50MP triple camera setup on the back. These characteristics can pass for a mid-range phone for almost any Manufacturer Androidincluding Motorola And Samsung.

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But what makes the TCL phone unique is its Nxtpaper 3.0 display technology, which blocks blue light to provide visual comfort and reduce eye strain. The company has been working on this digital wellness technology for years now, and this isn’t the first time. I saw this on one of his phonesbut the third generation of Nxtpaper will retain its position in 2025.

For example, nanomatrix technology improves image clarity and sharpness, two aspects that are common shortcomings of these matte texture finishes. When I took a look at the phone ahead of Monday’s announcement, the colors on it looked surprisingly vibrant, even with the satin finish over the screen itself.

Highlight of AI

And as for the artificial intelligence that every product should have in 2025, the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G features Smart Eye Comfort and Personalized Eye Comfort modes—two settings that adaptively adjust the display’s colors, brightness, and contrast based on user preference . I ran the latter of the two modes, which treated me to the same image in different color schemes and asked me to choose the best one, and the resulting tone was quite pleasing to the eye.

The TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G also features a dedicated Nxtpaper key that, when toggled, enables Max Ink Mode, an E Ink-based monochrome display mode that minimizes color and distractions. Essentially, this turns the phone into Onyx Books Palmbut since it’s a phone, you can make calls with it too.

Availability

TCL says the 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G will go on sale in the US later this year, likely around May, when the phone will also debut in Canada. The phone will retail for $199 and will be available from major carriers and retailers.

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