TL;DR
TCL introduced a new NXTPaper-generation phone, the 70 Pro, featuring a 6.9-inch matte, e‑Ink‑like display and a returning Max Ink Mode that simplifies the interface for low‑distraction use. The company also showed the Note A1 NXTPaper tablet, a note-focused device with an 11.5‑inch paperlike screen and a bundled stylus, available for preorder via Kickstarter.
What happened
At its CES-related unveiling, TCL detailed a new NXTPaper lineup led by the NXTPaper 70 Pro, which pairs a textured 6.9‑inch NXTPaper 4.0 screen with midrange hardware and water/dust protection. The phone uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, 8GB of RAM and a 50‑megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization; it also carries an IP68 rating. TCL brought back Max Ink Mode — a combined focus mode and pared‑down launcher that emphasizes monochrome, low‑distraction use — alongside the full‑color display option. TCL has listed a European price of €339 for the 70 Pro, but a US price hasn’t been confirmed. Separately, TCL announced the Note A1 NXTPaper tablet: an 11.5‑inch, writing‑first device running a simplified Android‑based OS (without a Play Store), shipping with a T‑Pen Pro stylus and scheduled to ship at the end of February.
Why it matters
- NXTPaper aims to offer readable, low‑glare screens that can switch between color and paperlike monochrome modes, addressing users who want less eye strain and fewer distractions.
- Max Ink Mode provides a system‑level way to reduce interruptions, useful for productivity or reading without uninstalling apps.
- Giving a midrange phone an IP68 rating brings more rugged protection to this class of devices.
- The Note A1 enters the focused note‑taking tablet market (a la Remarkable) with built‑in writing tools and haptic feedback, expanding options beyond traditional tablets.
Key facts
- NXTPaper 70 Pro features a 6.9‑inch NXTPaper 4.0 display with a textured, matte finish.
- Phone hardware: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset and 8GB of RAM.
- Main camera: 50‑megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization.
- Device carries an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
- TCL listed the 70 Pro for €339 in Europe (roughly $400); a US price has not been confirmed in the source.
- TCL previously released the 60 XE in the US with lower‑end specs and a $249 US price.
- Note A1 NXTPaper tablet has an 11.5‑inch paperlike display and runs a simplified Android‑based OS with only a handful of apps (Edge and Outlook included).
- Note A1 is Wi‑Fi only (no cellular), includes the T‑Pen Pro stylus with haptic feedback, and lacks the Play Store.
- Note A1 will retail for $549, with a Kickstarter preorder price of $419; it’s scheduled to arrive at the end of February.
What to watch next
- US pricing and availability for the NXTPaper 70 Pro: not confirmed in the source.
- Real‑world battery life and daylight readability of the NXTPaper 4.0 display as reviewers and users put it through daily use.
- User reception of Max Ink Mode and whether it meaningfully reduces distractions compared with standard Android launchers.
- Longer‑term uptake of the Note A1 among users who prefer focused, writing‑first devices versus full Android tablets.
Quick glossary
- NXTPaper: TCL’s display technology that produces a matte, textured surface intended to mimic paper and offer improved readability with reduced glare.
- Max Ink Mode: A low‑distraction interface option that reduces visual clutter and emphasizes monochrome content and simplified navigation.
- IP68: An ingress protection rating indicating resistance to dust and the ability to survive immersion in water under specified conditions.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): A camera feature that physically shifts lens or sensor elements to counteract hand shake and reduce blur in photos and video.
Reader FAQ
What is Max Ink Mode?
A pared‑down focus mode and minimalist launcher that emphasizes monochrome display and reduces on‑screen distractions.
Does the NXTPaper 70 Pro have water resistance?
Yes — the 70 Pro is listed with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
How much will the 70 Pro cost in the US?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does the Note A1 include cellular connectivity?
No; the Note A1 is Wi‑Fi only according to the source.
Does the T‑Pen Pro support pressure sensitivity?
The source notes the stylus provides haptic feedback but states a lack of pressure sensitivity reduces the realism of writing.
TECH GADGETS CES ‘Max Ink Mode’ is back on TCL’s NXTPaper 70 Pro Plus, the new Note A1 tablet with a paperlike screen is coming to the US, too. by…
Sources
- ‘Max Ink Mode’ is back on TCL’s NXTPaper 70 Pro
- CES 2026: Introducing the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro
- CES 2026: TCL Unveils New Products To Enhance The …
- TCL upgrades eye-saving NXTPAPER series with a new …
Related posts
- Twelve South Valet: a stylish catchall tray that also charges gadgets
- Capita tells civil servants to wait for chatbots to fix pension portal issues
- Samsung Galaxy S26 could rise in price in South Korea but stay flat in US