I am what you would consider a bit of a tech expert. I've been working in the tech industry for over 30 years. I used to manage all of the mobile devices for an international lawfirm, and then I managed all of the mobile devices for the FAA. So I know what I am talking about.

That said, I have been a Samsung user since the Samsung S2. Ever since then I've only owned the flagship S series or the Note series phones (mostly the Note series as they tend to have the best cameras, now the S Ultra series).

I picked up this phone just because I wanted to check out the paper like screen. I never intended on using it. Why would I? I have a Samsung Note 20 Ultra. However the other day as luck would have it I dropped my beloved Samsung and so began using this TCL as a daily driver. Let me tell you, I am not disappointed.

Let's be fair, are they comparable phones? Well, no. However, I am pleasantly surprised by this little affordable and quite unique gem from TCL.

To be specific, I am talking about the TCL 40 NXTPAPER. The screen on this thing is awesome! In a completely different way from the awesome screens on the Samsung flagship. The epaper display is pretty damn cool and is exactly as I was hoping it would be... excellent in glare-y situations and easy on the eyes. Also this phone is quite power frugal. The battery last a decently long time. And it has a SIM slot that takes 2 nano SIMs... PLUS a microSD card!

Do I wish it had a better processor? Yes. Do I wish it had wireless charging? Yes. Do I wish it had better cameras? Yes. Do I wish it was 5G? Yes. Do I wish it was WiFi 6? Yes.

But that is it... those are my only complaints with this phone. I don't miss the pen (which I thought that I would, but really don't, not much anyway). I do kind of miss the DEX feature from Samsung, but can live without.

In short, for the money... this budget phone is quite good. Would totally recommend to people to buy if they don't need a crazy good camera like on the Apple or Samsung flagship phones.

All of this really makes me want to check out the TCL 50 PRO NXTPAPER 5G. TCL if you are listening... I am MORE than happy to review that device for you! It looks like it will take care of most of the short comings of this quite good already phone.