TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro drops to $279 in early Black Friday sale

The early Black Friday price

TCL has opened its Black Friday sales ahead of schedule, and the first deal is on the unlocked TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro. According to 9to5Google, the phone is now priced at $279, a $50 discount that matches its lowest price to date.

The sale runs through 30 November 2026, so shoppers have several weeks to decide. 9to5Google notes that this price has appeared before, but it has never been lower, and the site expects it to stay at this level for the rest of the year because it is part of the TCL Black Friday sale.

TCL has not explained why it launched the promotion weeks early. That detail remains unconfirmed, and the retailer has simply listed the discounted price on its store.

What the NXTPAPER screen does

The main draw of the NXTPAPER 70 Pro is its display technology. NXTPAPER is designed to be gentle on the eyes, using flicker-free dimming and a textured matte layer that reduces glare while keeping the screen easy to read.

TCL markets the phone partly as an alternative to a dedicated e-reader. It includes NXTPAPER modes that change the screen's colour for a softer reading experience, and the matte finish looks and feels similar to an e-reader. One limitation stands out: unlike a Kindle, the backlight cannot be switched off completely.

Where the phone differs from E Ink devices is smoothness. The screen refreshes at 120Hz, which makes scrolling and general use feel far more fluid than the slower refresh of typical e-reader panels.

How reviewers rate the phone

9to5Google describes the NXTPAPER 70 Pro as a favourite budget phone, praising its cameras, performance, battery life and extra features. That is the reviewer's opinion rather than an independent test result, but it gives a sense of how the phone is being received at this price point.

The site also calls the phone flagship-like in some respects, noting that TCL has previously brought NXTPAPER models with AMOLED screens to the United States. The 70 Pro sits in TCL's budget line, where the discounted price is a key part of its appeal.

Who the deal suits

This offer is aimed at buyers who want a low-cost phone that doubles as a comfortable reading device. Students, frequent readers and anyone sensitive to screen glare are the natural audience for the matte NXTPAPER panel.

Because the discount applies to the unlocked model, the phone should work with a range of carriers, though buyers should confirm network compatibility before purchasing. Anyone happy to wait can do so until the sale ends on 30 November 2026, since 9to5Google does not expect a lower price this year.