Trade shows can throw out some interesting products and IFA 2024 is no different. New phones are usually scarce, but TCL has something rather intriguing on display in Berlin.
Physical switches on phones are typically limited to the do-not-disturb switches on iPhone and OnePlus models, but TCL’s Nxtpaper Key does something completely different and much more magical.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
On the 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G, the screen can switch between different viewing modes. If you are using the regular colored paper option, toggling the switch will open a menu where you can choose Ink Paper Mode or Max Ink Mode.
Once you’ve chosen what you want, it transitions into a satisfying animation that imitates ink being splattered. See it in action in the post below:
Max Ink mode offers an e-reader-like experience (although the display isn’t quite E Ink) and means you can read comfortably with much longer battery life than a regular smartphone – up to a week!
You can also use a number of apps in this mode, so it’s not limited to simply getting stuck into the latest gritty novel.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
The device doesn’t exactly skimp on specifications elsewhere either, with a 108 MP main camera, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 512 GB storage and a 5010 mAh battery.
All this comes in a suitably thin and light chassis that’s nice to the touch and available in a range of colors depending on the market. There’s a striking gold option reminiscent of C3PO, but I’d probably just go for the blue.
Perhaps the best part: it only costs you €280! It didn’t win one of our Tech Advisor Best in Show awards for IFA 2024 for nothing.