Amid all the high-end gadgets shown at MWC 2023, TCL Mobile has gone a different route by revealing some new, affordable devices.
The main one is TCL Nxtpaper 11 (opens in a new tab), a tablet whose features make it a universal tool for work and entertainment. It comes with the proprietary Nxtpaper 2.0 package to improve screen quality. First, it increases the brightness level by 150 percent over the previous version, allowing the 11-inch 2K display to display at 500 nits. If you use the device for a long time, the integrated light sensor “automatically”. [adjust the] color temperature” to protect your eyes. Anti-glare technology is also part of the package by “incorporating multi-layer screen protection” to reduce eye strain. As the icing on the cake, TCL has added AI Boost technology to further improve video quality.
Features of work
When it comes to productivity features, the Nxtpaper 11 screen has a “nanochemical substance [coating]”. According to TCL, when used together with a T-pen stylus, the device “provides a realistic and smooth feel” like a pen on paper.
On the front is an 8MP wide-angle camera that can capture video up to 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 30fps. Add in a quad speaker/dual mic setup and you might have a pretty decent tablet to work with.
The Nxtpaper 11 will be available from May 2023 for $249 (around £205 / AU$369) in Dark Gray and Digital Lavender. It will launch across Europe first, but plans to launch the tablet elsewhere later in the year.
If you don’t want to wait until the tablet is released in your country, the Tab 11 will follow later that month for $179 (around £148 / AU$266) and the LTE version will be available from $209 (around £173 / AU$310) . It is very similar in features and performance; however, Nxtpaper 2.0 is missing.
A growing line of smartphones
Going beyond tablets, TCL also introduced three new 5G phones (opens in a new tab) during MWC exclusively in North America (although TCL Australia has advised us that phones may arrive at Down Under at a later date; UK availability to be determined).
In total you have the TCL 40 X 5G, 40 XE 5G and 40 XL, with the first two being quite similar. They have the same processor of the MediaTek Dimensity 700 model, a 6.56-inch HD Plus display (1600 x 900 pixels) with sports software “Nxturbo to enhance the display”, as well as 4 GB of RAM.
The main differences are that the 40 X 5G has a better camera system and biometric security installed. The TCL 40 XL, on the other hand, comes with a weaker MediaTek G37 processor, but makes up for it with a larger 6.75-inch screen and dual speakers for better sound.
From June 2023, the 40 X 5G and 40 XE 5G models will be available for $199 and $169 respectively (around £165 / AU$295). The 40XL will arrive a little earlier in May for $149 (around £124 / AU$221).
Be sure to also check out TechRadar’s list of the best cheap tablets for 2023. It includes more popular devices like the iPad 10.2 and Amazon’s Fire line.