TCL Brings Its Paper-Like NXTPAPER Phones and Tablets to Australia, Starting at A$449

TCL has launched its latest NXTPAPER smartphones and tablets in Australia, bringing its paper-like display technology to a much wider range of devices than before. The new line-up is led by the TCL P80 Ultra and P80 Pro smartphones, and it also includes three NXTPAPER tablets and a first eNote device for digital handwriting. Prices start at A$449, and the devices are on sale through major Australian retailers.

If you have ever found your eyes tired after a long reading session on a phone or tablet, this launch is aimed squarely at you. NXTPAPER is TCL's display technology that softens glare and gives the screen a matte, paper-like feel.

What TCL announced

The headline act is the TCL P80 series, the company's first smartphone range to combine NXTPAPER technology with a 1.5K AMOLED display. Two models arrive in Australia: the P80 Pro at A$799 and the P80 Ultra at A$999.

Alongside the phones, TCL launched three tablets. The TCL TAB A1 NXTPAPER costs A$449, while the larger TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER is priced at A$599. The most expensive tablet in the range is the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER at A$1,299, which is TCL's first eNote device and pairs the paper-like screen with a stylus for handwriting and note taking.

TCL also added two budget phones to the Australian range, the K70 5G at A$329 and the K70 4G at A$299. The whole range is available through JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman, which means most Australians will be able to see the screens in person before buying.

The P80 Pro and P80 Ultra in detail

The P80 Pro is the more affordable of the two flagship-style phones. It costs A$799 and comes with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That is a solid mid-range package, and the NXTPAPER display is the feature that sets it apart from the many other phones at this price.

The P80 Ultra steps things up for A$999. Storage doubles to 512GB, and it adds a dedicated 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. If you take a lot of photos at concerts, sporting events or on holiday, that zoom lens is the main reason to pay the extra A$200.

Both phones share the same idea: a screen that is meant to be easy on the eyes for long sessions, whether you are reading, scrolling or watching video. The 1.5K AMOLED panel should keep text crisp and colours vivid, while the NXTPAPER layer cuts down reflections and gives the surface a softer, matte finish.

A tablet for reading, and one for writing

The two cheaper tablets are aimed at readers and everyday entertainment. The TCL TAB A1 NXTPAPER has an 11-inch display with a 2.1K resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 90Hz refresh rate, priced at A$449. The TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER moves up to a 12.2-inch display with a sharper 2.4K resolution, a 3:2 aspect ratio that suits reading and documents, and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, for A$599.

The standout of the tablet range is the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER at A$1,299. It is TCL's first eNote, a device built around digital handwriting. The paper-like display is meant to feel closer to writing on real paper, and it comes with AI-powered productivity features for turning handwritten notes into something you can search and share.

Why the paper-like screen matters

Phone and tablet screens have become brighter and sharper every year, but that progress has a side effect. Glossy glass reflects overhead lights and sunlight, and many people find long reading sessions tiring. E-ink readers solved the glare problem years ago, but their slow, black-and-white screens are no good for video or colour content.

NXTPAPER sits in the middle. It uses a matte finish and display tuning to reduce glare while keeping a full-colour screen that can play video and run apps normally. Previous NXTPAPER phones used LCD panels, so pairing the technology with an AMOLED display in the P80 series is a meaningful step up in contrast and colour.

Who should consider one

The P80 phones will suit readers first and foremost. If you read news, books or long articles on your phone every day, the softer screen could be a real comfort upgrade. The P80 Pro at A$799 is the sensible pick for most people, while the P80 Ultra is for buyers who also want a proper zoom camera and twice the storage.

The tablets are a good fit for students and anyone who reads PDFs, comics or magazines on a bigger screen. The TAB A1 at A$449 is the value choice, the Plus at A$599 adds a larger, sharper and smoother display, and the Note A1 at A$1,299 is the one to look at if handwriting and note taking are central to your day.

There are limits to keep in mind. NXTPAPER is a TCL-only technology, so you will not find it on a Samsung or Apple device. And while the P80 series brings AMOLED quality to the range, the phones are still positioned below the top flagship tier on raw performance.

Even so, this is one of the more interesting Australian gadget launches of the year. TCL is betting that a screen you can stare at all day without tired eyes is worth more than another small bump in processor speed. With prices from A$449 and the devices already in stores, Australians can now test that idea for themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the new TCL NXTPAPER phones cost in Australia

The TCL P80 Pro costs A$799 and the TCL P80 Ultra costs A$999. The P80 Pro has a 50MP main camera, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the Ultra adds 512GB of storage and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.

What is NXTPAPER

NXTPAPER is TCL's display technology that gives a phone or tablet screen a matte, paper-like finish to reduce glare and eye strain. The new P80 phones are the first TCL smartphones to combine NXTPAPER with a 1.5K AMOLED display.

Where can I buy the new TCL NXTPAPER devices in Australia

The new TCL NXTPAPER smartphones and tablets are available through major Australian retailers including JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman. Prices range from A$449 for the TAB A1 NXTPAPER to A$1,299 for the Note A1 NXTPAPER eNote.