TCL’s OLED matte display impresses, despite sluggish performance and average cameras
TCL’s P80 Ultra combines the company’s Nxtpaper matte display technology with OLED for the first time, producing deeper blacks, stronger contrast and richer colours than earlier models. The reviewer says the screen is comfortable to use in bright and dim settings, and its anti-glare finish and paperlike texture have made them more interested in the rumoured iPhone Duo and its matte inner display.
The phone also offers Paper Mode, which reduces colour or switches to monochrome, and Max Ink Mode, which limits features to create a more power-efficient, less distracting e-reader-style experience. However, the P80 Ultra is difficult to recommend overall: its performance is sluggish and its camera results are average. An always-on display is a notable improvement over previous Nxtpaper phones.
- TCL’s first matte OLED phone delivers its best Nxtpaper screen yet.
- The display is comfortable, but phone performance and photos disappoint.
- Paper and Max Ink modes offer simpler, lower-power viewing.
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TCL is a Chinese electronics manufacturer that has developed matte display technology for smartphones through its Nxtpaper range. The P80 Ultra, the company's latest model, combines this matte technology with OLED for the first time, resulting in deeper blacks and richer colours than previous phones.
The matte finish creates a paperlike texture and reduces glare, making the screen comfortable to use in both bright and dim conditions. The phone includes Paper Mode, which switches the display to black and white or reduces colour saturation, and Max Ink Mode, which strips most features to create a streamlined experience resembling an e-reader.
Reviewers have acknowledged the display's appeal and suggest it could influence how other manufacturers, including Apple, approach future phone design. However, the P80 Ultra has notable drawbacks: its processor is sluggish compared to competitors and its camera system produces average results, making it difficult to recommend as a well-rounded smartphone despite the quality of its display.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
TCL has achieved a genuine breakthrough in display technology that materially improves user comfort and visual quality, which are fundamental to daily smartphone use. For users who prioritise reading, content creation, and visual fidelity—and whose usage patterns don't demand top-tier processor performance—this innovation represents meaningful technological progress that justifies consideration despite other limitations.
The case against
A smartphone must function effectively as a complete device; sluggish performance and average cameras degrade the entire user experience regardless of display excellence. Recommending a phone primarily for one standout feature whilst it falters in core functions disserves consumers seeking reliable, well-rounded devices with competent performance across all essential capabilities.
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Originally published by The Verge as “TCL’s paperlike OLED phone made me more excited for the iPhone Duo”.