TCL is preparing to relaunch its smartphone business in Australia under former Motorola executive Karl Bonnici, (seen above) with a new range of premium Android devices built around its NXTPAPER anti-glare display technology.

ChannelNews understands a launch is imminent. The range is expected to draw on the P80 series TCL unveiled at IFA in Berlin last month, also in the mix could be NXTPAPER tablets and a new range of camera-less smart glasses that ChannelNews Staff have tested and they excellent offering value of the expensive Meta Ray Ban glasses.

Bonnici, who is credited with turning Motorola into Australia’s number two Android brand, quit the Lenovo-owned company to head TCL’s local mobile operation.

The move gives TCL a senior executive with direct knowledge of a key rival’s Australian strategy.

He replaces TCL’s previous mobile general manager, who has left the business under a cloud to join Chinese brand Honor.

The mobile operation has also been relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where TCL’s Australian head office is based.

Bonnici told ChannelNews this week he is still in discussions with retailers over ranging.

Shelf space the key test

The relaunch hinges on whether TCL can win space with retailers and carriers in a crowded Android market dominated by Samsung and Motorola.

TCL will also face Oppo, Honor and Nothing, all of which are competing for the mid to premium segment.

Before TCL took direct control of its local mobile business, distribution was handled by Sam Skontos, whose company took the licensed Alcatel brand to number one in Australia and also distributed BlackBerry smartphones.

The P80 range

TCL has given no indication yet of which models will be sold locally. The P80 specifications below are from TCL’s IFA announcement:

P80 Ultra: 6.83-inch 120Hz NXTPAPER AMOLED screen, 5,800mAh battery, 50MP main camera and 50MP 3x periscope telephoto, plus ultrawide.
P80 Pro: Same NXTPAPER AMOLED screen and battery as the Ultra, without the periscope camera.
P80: Lower-priced 6.83-inch AMOLED model. Despite sitting in the P80 range, it does not have NXTPAPER.
NXTPAPER 70 Pro: 2026 model with a 6.9-inch NXTPAPER 4.0 screen and a physical switch for its reading modes.

The P80 range went on sale in Europe on 3 September.

What NXTPAPER does

The P80 Pro and Ultra are the first TCL phones to bring NXTPAPER to AMOLED screens. Earlier NXTPAPER phones used LCD panels.

The treated screen reduces glare and reflections, while display controls adjust brightness and colour temperature. A dedicated key switches the phones into Paper Mode, for softer paper-like colours, or Max Ink Mode, a monochrome layout designed for distraction-free reading.

NXTPAPER is not an E Ink display. The aim is a phone that is easier to read on for long periods without giving up a conventional colour screen for video and photos. TCL also claims the technology reduces eye fatigue.

TCL says it wants to bring premium mobile features to more Australian buyers.

Hands-on at IFA

ChannelNews tested the P80 Ultra at IFA. Its matte display handled bright exhibition lighting particularly well, and the combination of AMOLED colour and contrast with NXTPAPER’s reduced reflections was a clear point of difference from other Android handsets.

The periscope telephoto also gives the Ultra a stronger feature set for buyers moving beyond entry-level phones.

Analysis

TCL’s best opportunity is with buyers who want a better screen and useful camera features without paying flagship prices.

The challenge is at retail. TCL will need retailers to run in-store demonstrations that show the display difference, and it must convince retailers and carriers that it offers something distinct from Samsung, Motorola and other Android brands.

Positive reviews from IFA give TCL an opening, but they do not yet translate into Australian sales momentum or prove buyers will switch from better-known brands.