Why Don't More Smartphones Have This?

The ultimate anti-reflective matte display... has a catch

Phone provided by TCL for review.

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[yupimrandy]

Always love when MKBHD goes back to his roots: reviewing smartphone tech.

[MuhammedChand]

Honestly the tablet version actually sounds like an amazing replacement for a kindle! Would have liked to see more of that

[ChiliMn]

I'd like to see how this compares to a regular phone with a matte screen protector. They also reduce reflections and give it a paper-like feeling.

[starkiller]

TCL reminds me of LG. They're doing something new, alot of smartphone manufacturers could learn from this. Yes, it may not be a priority, but it's still important what kind of screen your phone comes with. This TCL 40 is definitely a phone I'd consider getting as I do find myself reading for quite a long time on my phone.

[DoctorEyeHealth]

I had the chance to try this out for a month and do a video collab with TCL to talk more about the science behind eye strain and what they built with this screen. I personally did not struggle with the brightness on the screen at all, even when outside. Despite the lower NITS. But so happy to see your review of it! I think the tech is brilliant from an eyestrain perspective and I hope to see some of the tech brought forward into other screens. Did you see the Apple update for screen distance? Makes me happy to see tech companies being conscious of how tech can impact the eyes.

[audoodle]

honestly for $200 this phone is kind of tempting as a secondary option. I've been getting into downloading and having my own music collection and this phone has a headphone jack and expandable storage. I could see this making a great MP3 player.

[almajdxperia]

Props to TCL for bringing innovation to a boring era

[janchrzciciel]

I remember having matte screen protectors as early as my Galaxy S3. This is a great idea!

[mamaharumi]

Beautiful. I absolutely love matte screens, yet matte screen protectors almost always suck.

[macmurfitt]

I’ve always used matte screen protectors and one downside you forgot to mention is over time they do get considerably smoother. I know it takes a lot to get like that but the amount we touch our phones counts for a lot.

[BloodScientist]

Have been using matte screen protectors since earlier this year and it's a game changer. I love the feel. Love the minimal reflection.

[happyman]

The tiny little tidbit about the pain of producing videos of objects with reflective surfaces being mitigated by this tech was cool! So glad you included that.

[jm-alan]

I think it's chiefly because most (if not all) anti-glare coatings reduce image sharpness and color accuracy, by design; they literally have to scatter light, and it's difficult if not impossible to scatter incoming light without also scattering some of the outgoing light from the screen.
Since every phone screen has been getting better and brighter for years, it would seem like a regression to start putting anti-glare filters on them from the factory, rather than letting the user choose whether they want that.

[doodskie]

This is why I always use matte screen protectors.
Less reflection, feels good to scroll and rejects fingerprints

[pattrriot]

hi, why other companies don't use these displays is also that this mat will wear out easily after a year of use, for example in games or using touch in one place, and the effect will be visible. imagine on a display that is all matte a few shiny peeled off spots...this is something that won't happen on a glossy display (plus you can use glass or film for protection as you also mentioned)

[pongoni]

I used to put matte screen protectors on my phones. but i hate it cuz it decreases image sharpness dramatically. even if your screen resolution is at its highest, images would still look soft and some details are missing

[jasonzuniga]

That's pretty sick. Would love to see a premium phone with this as an option. First thing I do with a phone is find a matte finish screen protector. Helps immensely with reflection when flying a drone.

[_iboji]

I think you lowkey made the real value proposition of something like this and thats as a tablet! It makes a ton of sense! I'm not usually going to use it outside, the texture would be extremely helpful from a notetaking/writing perspective and for reading books/manga it would be the perfect marrying of the performance of a tablet with the display fidelity of an e-ink reader.

[shadow]

So Marques could you do a comparison to this phone and a modern flagship with a matte screen protector applied? I understand the goal for TCL is to make a screen that's less intense, but could the same be achieved with a screen protector while retaining the benefits of a mid-tier or flagship phone?

[davisdiercks]

I agree I doubt I'd want something like that on my phone. BUT, I will say, I am absolutely in love with my paper-feel screen protector on my iPad. I use it mainly for digitally handwritten notes with the Apple pencil, looking at music charts on stage, etc, and that texture is a total game-changer.