The TCL P80 Ultra smartphone features a matte OLED display, marking the first integration of the company's Nxtpaper technology with an OLED panel. This screen offers improved contrast, deeper blacks, and support for an always-on display, which was absent in previous Nxtpaper models. The device includes a physical toggle to switch between standard, Paper, and Max Ink modes.
Paper Mode reduces color saturation or shifts the display to monochrome, while Max Ink Mode restricts access to most applications and OS features to mimic an e-reader experience. Despite these display capabilities, the P80 Ultra exhibits performance issues and average camera quality. The matte finish provides anti-glare properties and a textured surface for improved tactile feedback.
TCL introduced Nxtpaper technology for tablets in 2021 and for smartphones in 2023 with the Nxtpaper 40. Other manufacturers like Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi also offer matte display options on select devices. Apple has utilized nano-texture glass on iPad Pro models since 2024 and is now incorporating a matte coating on the inner foldable screen of the iPhone Duo.
The matte layer on the iPhone Duo is intended to minimize the visibility of the foldable panel's crease. While the P80 Ultra demonstrates the benefits of matte OLEDs, the iPhone Duo does not feature a matte coating on its outer display. Industry observers anticipate that Apple's adoption of this technology may encourage other Android manufacturers to implement similar matte solutions in future devices.
