As smartphones become an increasingly integral part of our daily lives, we are seeing technology companies implement features that put user wellbeing first.
For example, Nokia manufacturer HMD markets its feature phones (sometimes called dumbphones) as a way to escape from intensive social media use, and companies like Honor have released phones with built-in eye protection technology.
TCL seems to want to offer users the best of both worlds with its 50 Nxtpaper 5G And 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G smartphoneswhich the manufacturer presented at the IFA on September 5.
Both phones feature a 6.8-inch 1080 x 2640 anti-glare display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which TCL says adapts to lighting conditions to minimize blue light, and a new, physical anti-distraction switch.
The switch, which TCL calls the “Nxtpaper Key,” allows users to choose between standard full-color e-paper and a Kindle-style display mode the company calls Max Ink, which TCL describes as an “e-ink format.” It’s unclear whether TCL is using E Ink technology licensed from the company of the same name, or another form of e-paper. We’ve reached out to TCL for comment.
TCL says this Max Ink mode “limits social media apps/notifications” in an effort to discourage users from unnecessary scrolling and encourage them to focus more on usage, especially when reading.
In recent months, the term “brain rot” has become increasingly popular.doomscrolling“as a common way of referring to the effect of intensive use of social media, and it seems that TCL wants to combat this trend of dissatisfaction and take advantage of it.
By implementing this “Nxtpaper Key” option, TCL may be trying to attract customers who want to spend less time on social media without losing access to valuable smartphone features like maps or web browsing. We reached out to TCL for clarification on what “limits social media” actually means.
The TCL 50 Nxtpaper is more power than functionality
AI features are the result of a partnership between TCL and Microsoft
Despite TCL’s focus on mindful usage, the 50 Nxtpaper 5G and 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G are by no means feature phones; their respective specs are, on paper (pun intended), relatively impressive.
The 50 Nxtpaper 5G comes with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 108MP main camera on the back, an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,010mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.
The 50 Nxtpaper Pro, priced at £279.99, has 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and a 32MP selfie camera.
The AI features are the result of a partnership between TCL and Microsoft. The phones offer translation, voice memo transcription and text summarization.
The two new phones launch alongside a tablet, the TCL Nxtpaper 14, which features a 14.3-inch 2400 x 1600 display and the same Max Ink capabilities as its smartphone cousins, priced at £399.
At the time of writing, none of these products have a confirmed US release date, and the base 50 Nxtpaper has yet to receive a UK release date. So stay tuned to our phone coverage for updates.