TCL 60 XE NxtPaper review
The TCL 60 XE is built for budget shoppers in markets where 5G is rolling out and wired earphones or microSD expansion matter. It's a straightforward phone that does not pretend to be more than it is: solid cameras, good connectivity, and a screen that works outdoors, balanced against slow charging and modest daily battery. Buyers who need wireless only, fast charging, or three-day battery life should shop elsewhere.
This review is written with AI assistance from TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The TCL 60 XE NxtPaper is a budget 5G phone that wins on connectivity, headphone jack, and a matte e-paper display, but stumbles on charging speed and battery endurance. For $170, it hits the fundamentals—good daylight cameras and a roomy screen—but demands a daily charge and a long wait at the outlet.
Design & build
At 199.5g and 8.2mm thick, the TCL 60 XE is light and trim for its 6.78-inch frame. The listed build materials are sparse, so assume plastic with a matte finish that likely aids grip. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is practical for this size. It sits in that sweet spot where the phone doesn't feel unwieldy in one hand, and the weight stays unnoticed through a day of use.
Display
The 6.78-inch IPS LCD uses TCL's NxtPaper tech—a matte, e-paper-like coating that kills reflections and reads well outdoors. At 1080p and 396 ppi, the pixel density is fine; you won't notice individual dots in everyday scrolling. The 120Hz refresh is standard at this price now, and the combination means scrolling feels smooth without draining battery as badly as 144Hz would. The big catch is the resolution: a 6.78-inch 1080p screen is stretched thin compared to what rivals offer, so fine text isn't razor-sharp. For general use it's perfectly adequate, but it sits at the limit of acceptable rather than a strength.
Performance
The Dimensity 6100+ is a mainstream 6nm octa-core that handles everyday tasks—email, messaging, web browsing, social apps—without stuttering. Light gaming, turn-based RPGs, and puzzle games run smoothly. Demanding 3D games will struggle at high settings, and video editing or heavy multitasking will show lag. The Mali-G57 GPU is not weak, just modest; this is a phone for people who use their device but do not push it hard. Compared to last year's equivalents at the same price, this chip is neither a step forward nor backward—it is the expected middle ground.
Software
Android 15 is current and clean out of the box. TCL has a reputation for light overlays, so expect minimal bloat and reasonable update pace. Nothing standout here, but no complaints either—the software stays out of the way and lets you use the phone as Google intended.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with PDAF and LED flash produces sharp, well-balanced daylight shots and handles low light better than phones at half the price. The 5MP ultrawide is functional but offers noticeably less detail and is really just a checkbox feature. The 32MP front camera is solid for video calls and selfies. Overall, this is the bright spot: the cameras punch above a $170 phone's weight for everyday snapshots and daytime photos. They won't match true mids or flagships, but they're genuinely capable for social media and casual photography.
Battery & charging
The 5010 mAh battery is moderate for this size; expect a full day of mixed use, but heavy users (video, gaming, social media) will need to plug in by evening. The real letdown is 18W charging—roughly 45 to 60 minutes from empty to full, which is slow compared to rivals at the same price that have moved to 30W and above. In 2025, this feels behind. If you rely on quick top-ups between tasks, this phone will test your patience.
Connectivity & extras
The TCL shines here. Broad 5G band support (SA/NSA), dual-band Wi-Fi ac, NFC for mobile payments, and a 3.5mm headphone jack are all present. The jack alone is rare at this price and a genuine selling point if you own wired earphones. You also get a dedicated microSD slot, so storage expansion is unlimited without sacrificing the SIM tray. FM radio and stereo speakers round out a feature set that feels complete, not bare-bones.
Value & verdict
At $170, the TCL 60 XE targets buyers who want 5G without spending on a flagship and value connectivity extras. It delivers on that promise: the 5G bands, headphone jack, and microSD slot are real assets. The camera is strong for the price. But the slow charging and day-long battery are not oversights—they are deliberate trade-offs to hit the price. If you can charge once daily and are patient at the outlet, this phone makes sense. If you expect fast charging or multi-day stamina, look elsewhere.
Verdict
The TCL 60 XE is built for budget shoppers in markets where 5G is rolling out and wired earphones or microSD expansion matter. It's a straightforward phone that does not pretend to be more than it is: solid cameras, good connectivity, and a screen that works outdoors, balanced against slow charging and modest daily battery. Buyers who need wireless only, fast charging, or three-day battery life should shop elsewhere.
- 50MP camera with PDAF captures sharp daylight and low-light shots that outperform typical budget phones
- 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated microSD slot—rare perks at $170 that add real value for wired audio users and those who need storage space
- Broad 5G support across multiple bands and regions; 120Hz IPS display with matte NxtPaper finish reduces glare and reads well outdoors
- 18W charging is slow for 2025; rivals at this price have moved to 30W and above, so expect close to an hour from empty to full
- 5010 mAh battery delivers about one day of mixed use, with heavier users hitting the charger by evening
- 1080p resolution on a 6.78-inch screen leaves fine text less sharp than tighter pixel densities competitors offer
TCL 60 XE NxtPaper Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, March 03 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Battery | 5010 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wiredReverse wired |
| Software | Android 15 |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm (6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 199.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
TCL 60 XE NxtPaper FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 60 XE NxtPaper support 5G?
Yes. The 60 XE NxtPaper supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 60 XE NxtPaper use?
The 60 XE NxtPaper runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm).
What display does the 60 XE NxtPaper have?
A 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density).
How big is the 60 XE NxtPaper battery?
The 60 XE NxtPaper has a 5010 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 18W wiredReverse wired.
Does the 60 XE NxtPaper have NFC?
Yes, the 60 XE NxtPaper has NFC.
Does the 60 XE NxtPaper support a microSD card?
Yes, the 60 XE NxtPaper supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the 60 XE NxtPaper have a headphone jack?
Yes, the 60 XE NxtPaper has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the 60 XE NxtPaper isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
60 XE NXTpaper 5G
60 SE NXTpaper 5G
60 SE NxtPaper
60 NxtPaper 4G
Galaxy M17e
