At CES 2025, TCL introduced a new series of premium QLED TVs to its existing lineup, along with smartphones featuring its unique NXTPAPER technology. The new QM6K TV Series marks a step forward for the company as it looks to compete using its own Mini LED designs. On the mobile side, it will release at least one new phone in Canada in 2025.
Looking at the new QM6K Series TVs
The new QM6K Series will come in five sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch and 98-inch. All will be 4K models with Google TV built-in (including Chromecast functionality) and 144Hz refresh rates to incentivize gamers as well. The Game Accelerator uses variable refresh rate to double it to 288Hz using some wizardry under the hood to make it possible. It’s not clear how good it will be with all games but it is an option, nonetheless.
The company claims it’s made a number of improvements to make this new series stand out. A new LED chip could increase brightness by up to 53%, along with a bump in efficiency. More important might be how the backlight is closer to the display to reduce blooming—a halo effect that can apply a glow around bright objects onscreen, commonly seen in LED TVs. TCL says it’s found a way to reduce that by 67% no matter how white or black the screen is. It’s impossible to verify these figures but looking at the TVs up close, it does look like they’re less prominent than before.
Dimming the Mini-LEDs
In addition to brightness, TCL also announced at CES 2025 that it’s tackling colour with its Quantum Dot technology and colour optimization algorithm. In short, that means the array of mini-LEDs in the TV’s rear can brighten or dim faster and with more granular control than before. It’s also using some AI to do this by way of a “dynamic light algorithm” that optimizes the incoming video signal, regardless of where it’s coming from.
These new TVs will also fall under what TCL is calling the “all-new Precise Dimming Series”. Beyond that, they will have the company’s AiPQ Pro processor to dynamically adjust picture quality based on ambient surroundings. They support Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and the new DLA on the picture side. For audio, you have Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X with an Onkyo 2.1 speaker system.
Another key point is the 85- and 98-inch models will have a matte screen finish, whereas the other sizes will have a semi-gloss panel. All will have the ability to apply HDR to standard-definition content, but it’s not entirely clear how good it will be. The source won’t matter, so it could be a YouTube video or old TV show not shot in HD, except the results could vary. I didn’t get the chance to see it in action, so can’t say for sure.
TCL also offered a peek at new 98- and 115-inch QM7K TVs that will have the same screen technology of the QM6K series, “and more” according to reps on-site. That’s all they’re saying for now until the company reveals more details later this year.
TCL’s new NXTPAPER 4.0 technology
TCL doesn’t get the same kind of attention other brands do on the mobile side, but it routinely offers affordable and mid-range devices. The standout is actually the underlying technology, NXTPAPER 4.0, which resembles the kind of E-Ink display you’d see in an eReader. Except this is an LCD panel with special layering and blue light filtration to give it a matte and textured paper-like appearance. You can also switch to a colour E-Ink style or total monochrome as well (still an LCD, though).
The effect is very unique in mobile circles, as the closest you can get to it on another device is to use a matte screen protector. Even then, it’s hard to match the textured look. One of TCL’s challenges has always been how peak brightness couldn’t match what you can get on other phones or tablets. NXTPAPER 4.0 adds another level of clarity in what TCL claims is better colour accuracy. At 100% sRGB colour gamut coverage, colour reproduction should be closer to other devices.
Eye comfort modes
This also includes AI-driven modes like Smart Eye Comfort and Personalized Eye Comfort, both of which adjust brightness levels and blue or warm light to go easier on your eyes. The idea is to make viewing anything on the screen more comfortable and less straining. TCL says it does this “without compromising visual quality”, but it’s hard to tell because colour temperature can also impact how colours appear.
Even so, NXTPAPER 4.0 could have implications for both regular users and creatives who want to work on a canvas that looks more artistic. There are various eye-care modes and settings, several of which already exist in NXTPAPER devices, only TCL claims they will be more personalized and effective. TCL says it will reveal more about the increased brightness and advancements to the screen tech at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February-March 2025. For now, all that’s known is that its new NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet will be the first to have it later this year.
TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G
At CES 2025, TCL also unveiled the 60 XE NXTPAPER Android phone and announced it will launch the device as a North American exclusive. Key to this launch is the NXTPAPER Key, a feature previously included in the TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER, which never came to Canada or the United States. It’s a slider on the side of the phone to switch between the black-and-white Max Ink mode and the full-colour Paper Ink mode. Now that the 60 XE will have it, it marks the first time the feature will be available here.
To be clear, this phone uses the older NXTPAPER 3.0 display, not the newer one unveiled at CES. The 4.0 display will make its debut on an 11-inch TCL tablet that may or may not make it to Canada. This would also explain why the 60 XE is a more affordable phone that will start at $200. It sports a 6.8-inch FHD+ screen with 120Hz refresh rate, and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The triple rear camera system is led by a 50-megapixel main lens, plus a 32-megapixel front camera.
At CES 2025, The TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER will be available in Canada starting in May 2025. Check out all the latest TCL products and TVs currently available.
