Samsung has launched four new Odyssey series gaming monitors at ChinaJoy 2025, incorporating advanced MNT display technology from TCL CSOT. The announcement marks a significant step in Samsung and TCL CSOT’s partnership, aiming to push the boundaries of esports-focused display performance.

TCL CSOT showcased three new display technologies tailored for different gaming genres: HVA Fast, HVA Black, and HFS Shoot. HVA Fast supports a 1ms response time and offers curved panels in sizes ranging from 34 to 57 inches with a 1000R curvature. HVA Black features a 5000:1 native contrast ratio and supports refresh rates up to 500Hz, offering high clarity and dynamic visuals. HFS Shoot targets FPS players with support for high resolution, high refresh rates, and autostereoscopic 3D switching without glasses.

Samsung’s new lineup includes the 27-inch UHD 165Hz Odyssey G90XF, the 40-inch WUHD 180Hz Odyssey G75F, the 37-inch UHD 165Hz Odyssey G75F, and the 27-inch UHD 180Hz Odyssey G70F Dual-Mode Gaming Monitor.

The Odyssey G90XF is Samsung’s first gaming monitor to feature glasses-free 3D. It uses light-field display (LFD) technology combined with an eye-tracking camera to produce real-time 3D visuals without any viewing angle restrictions. The display supports AI-powered 2D-to-3D video conversion and features 4K resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, spatial audio, and environmental lighting effects. Samsung launched the G90XF in May at a price of 14,999 yuan ($2,080).

The 40-inch G75F supports a resolution of 5120×2160, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio with support for 1.07 billion colors. The 37-inch G75F and 27-inch G70F monitors both support 3840×2160 resolution, high refresh rates, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smoother gameplay across supported titles.

These monitors aim to meet the evolving demands of esports gamers, with TCL CSOT playing a central role in the display technology behind them.

In related news, we recently explored Who Owns TCL?—a deep dive into the brand’s ownership structure, key subsidiaries, and global expansion strategy.

TCL has grown from a regional electronics player in China to one of the top global brands in televisions and smart appliances, but who really owns this sprawling empire, and what exactly does TCL control? The answer is a lot more layered than it might seem.

Public, But With Roots in the State

TCL Technology Group Corporation, the backbone of the TCL brand, is publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker 000100. But it didn’t start out that way. Founded in 1981 as a state-owned enterprise, TCL has since morphed into a hybrid of public and partially state-backed ownership, with no single majority stakeholder in control.

Founder Li Dongsheng, who remains chairman and has held the CEO role at various times, owns around 3.3% of TCL Technology. Government-linked investment entities such as Huizhou SASAC and Wuhan Optics Valley each hold 2 to 3%, while the majority, over 87%, is publicly held by retail and institutional investors. This mix means TCL operates like a market-driven firm with state influence, a structure that’s common among China’s largest industrial players.

Restructuring the House: The Rise of TCL Holdings

In 2019, TCL underwent a corporate split to sharpen its focus. It spun off its consumer electronics and appliances division into a new entity, TCL Industries Holdings (also known as TCL Holdings), which now oversees TCL Electronics, the TV and smart device arm. Meanwhile, TCL Technology retained control of high-tech ventures like display panel production (via CSOT) and solar energy (via TCL Zhonghuan).

Despite the split, TCL Technology and TCL Industries are closely intertwined. For example, TCL Electronics continues sourcing panels from CSOT, ensuring tight vertical integration in its TV business.

Subsidiaries, Subsidiaries Everywhere

TCL’s structure is a web of subsidiaries that span consumer electronics, component manufacturing, and even renewable energy.

TCL Electronics Holdings (HKEX: 1070) is the most visible face of the brand, making smart TVs, soundbars, and smartphones. It’s also the engine behind TCL’s climb to the number two global spot in TV shipments. TCL Communication, once known for BlackBerry and Alcatel phones, has been folded into this unit.

China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) sits at the heart of TCL’s display ambitions. It builds LCD, Mini-LED, and OLED panels, not just for TCL TVs but also for other brands. It’s a wholly owned part of TCL Technology and a key reason the company can compete with global giants on price.

TCL Smart Home (formerly Homa) covers air conditioners, fridges, and washing machines. It’s already among the world’s top four AC brands and the leading refrigerator exporter in China. And it’s backed by smart integrations and large-scale factories in China.

TCL Zhonghuan, acquired in 2020, pushes TCL into solar energy. It produces monocrystalline silicon wafers for solar panels and is quickly becoming central to TCL’s push into renewables and semiconductors.

Other subsidiaries include Tonly Electronics (audio, IoT devices), TCL Environmental Technology (e-waste and recycling), and TCL Financial Services, which collectively round out the group’s diverse portfolio.

Global Strategy: Localized, Scaled, and Brand-Driven

TCL’s expansion outside China has been fast and aggressive. It now operates in over 160 countries and has regional headquarters across six global business zones. The company has set up 20 manufacturing bases, including plants in Mexico, Vietnam, and Poland, to dodge tariffs, shorten supply chains, and serve local markets efficiently.

TCL also invests heavily in global R&D, with over 40 research centers worldwide focusing on AI, display tech, and smart home systems. In North America, TCL’s partnership with Roku turned it into one of the best-selling TV brands in the U.S. In Europe and India, it’s pushing smart appliances and affordable smartphones. And globally, TCL is promoting its own smart TV OS, Lingkong UI, to reduce reliance on Google and Roku.

The brand strategy? Mass-market affordability wrapped in next-gen features. Whether it’s budget-friendly Mini-LED TVs or the paper-like NXTPAPER phone displays, TCL’s message is clear: tech doesn’t have to be expensive.

Bottom Line

TCL’s ownership is split between founder Li Dongsheng, state-backed funds, and a wide public float. But in practical terms, the brand is steered by a mix of private ambition and state alignment. Through subsidiaries like CSOT, TCL Electronics, and TCL Zhonghuan, the company balances consumer-facing innovation with serious upstream tech investment.

It’s not a traditional tech giant like Samsung or LG, but it’s gaining ground fast. And if TCL continues executing its global strategy, it may not be long before this hybrid-owned Chinese conglomerate becomes a household name far beyond the TV aisle.

In related news, TCL CSOT sets its sights on dominating the esports display market, stepping beyond its role as a panel supplier. Also, we recently explored TCL NXTPAPER technology and how it compares to AMOLED and IPS in terms of eye comfort.

In a world dominated by glossy OLEDs and hyper-saturated AMOLEDs, TCL‘s NXTPAPER display technology offers something refreshingly different. It doesn’t aim to dazzle you with 2000-nit brightness or 144Hz refresh rates. Instead, it focuses on something most display makers have long neglected in the race to one-up each other: your eyes.

Originally introduced in 2021, NXTPAPER has quietly matured into one of the most human-centered innovations in mobile and tablet displays. It’s designed to reduce eye strain, minimize glare, and replicate the experience of reading or writing on real paper. But this isn’t just another matte LCD screen or a glorified e-ink hybrid. NXTPAPER blends hardware and software to create a next-gen viewing experience, one that’s been rigorously certified by TÜV Rheinland for visual comfort.

What Is NXTPAPER?

NXTPAPER is TCL’s proprietary display technology that mimics the comfort and clarity of paper, but it’s not an e-ink screen. It’s a full-color, full-motion LCD panel enhanced with a sophisticated multi-layer optical filter system. These layers reduce blue light exposure and eliminate glare without relying on third-party software filters or additional screen protectors.

Think of it as a matte screen that’s baked into the display itself. It delivers paper-like smoothness while still supporting videos, games, and rich color content. It’s especially useful for reading-heavy tasks like document editing, web browsing, and long eBook sessions. In devices like the TCL NXTPAPER 11 tablet and NXTPAPER 40 smartphone, the difference in comfort is immediately noticeable.

How It Works

Most standard LCDs transmit light from a backlight through a handful of layers: diffuser, polarizer, liquid crystals, and color filters. NXTPAPER adds several additional nano-layers that do three critical things: filter out harmful blue light, scatter reflections, and mimic the behavior of natural light.

Unlike OLED, which modulates brightness per pixel and can contribute to long-term image retention and eye fatigue, NXTPAPER uses a consistent backlit LCD architecture. It’s flicker-free in any lighting scenario, thanks to built-in DC dimming that regulates brightness without relying on high-frequency PWM (pulse width modulation), a common culprit behind eye discomfort in modern OLED displays.

Circularly Polarized Light and CPL Advantage

NXTPAPER also integrates Circularly Polarized Light (CPL) technology to mimic the way light behaves in nature. It reflects and refracts light more naturally, which makes reading on NXTPAPER screens feel less artificial than on traditional panels. You’re not just looking at a screen that reduces blue light, you’re experiencing a fundamentally different way of visual presentation.

NXTPAPER Key and Max Ink Mode

TCL is now doubling down on usability. The NXTPAPER Key allows users to instantly toggle between standard display mode and a reading-optimized experience. The Max Ink Mode, particularly in smartphones, enhances readability by offering deeper contrast and a more eBook-like feel, making it a practical feature for both casual reading and professional document work.

Eye Care Assistant and Smart Night Features

Beyond the display itself, TCL has built a broader wellness ecosystem around NXTPAPER. The built-in Eye Care Assistant uses AI-driven reminders and ambient light detection to encourage users to take breaks. It can gently nudge you when it’s time to look away, a small but thoughtful addition that aligns with ophthalmologist recommendations for screen use.

For nighttime use, NXTPAPER devices offer a low-intensity flashlight capped at just 10 to 30 lux, far less than the typical 90 lux of standard phone flashlights. This keeps late-night tasks like reading or checking messages more eye-friendly and far less disturbing to others nearby.

The screen also features automatic night mode support. It intelligently adjusts the display’s color temperature based on ambient light to ensure your eyes remain comfortable in low-light conditions, reducing abrupt strain during evening use.

Anti-Glare and True-to-Life Colors

The NXTPAPER display incorporates a matte nano-etched layer that cuts reflections and ambient glare. This allows users to read or watch videos outdoors without that mirror-like effect found on most glossy smartphones and tablets.

Crucially, TCL’s solution filters blue light at the hardware level. Unlike conventional low-blue-light modes that introduce an ugly yellow tint, NXTPAPER maintains vibrant, accurate color reproduction. Whether you’re watching a video or editing a photo, what you see remains true to life.

Adaptive Color Temperature and Paper-Like Texture

Another smart addition is TCL’s AI-optimized display engine that adjusts color temperature dynamically based on the time of day and surrounding light. It’s an adaptive layer that quietly works in the background to maintain visual comfort, similar to Apple’s True Tone but tailored for matte displays.

And if you’re using a stylus or writing on a tablet like the NXTPAPER 11, you’ll notice the screen isn’t just soft on your eyes, it’s tactile. The matte finish provides real texture, mimicking the feel of pen-on-paper while also being resistant to smudges and fingerprints.

NXTPAPER vs AMOLED vs IPS LCD

Let’s be clear, NXTPAPER isn’t built to win display shootouts for contrast ratio or peak brightness. Compared to AMOLED, it can’t deliver the inky blacks or the vivid punchiness that makes HDR content pop. It also isn’t as color-rich or fast-refreshing as flagship OLEDs used in gaming phones or high-end tablets.

IPS LCDs fall somewhere in between. While they’re more affordable and color-accurate than older tech like TN panels, they typically don’t excel at glare reduction or eye comfort. NXTPAPER, though based on LCD, leapfrogs conventional IPS by focusing on usability in real-world environments like classrooms, offices, or public transport.

So yes, NXTPAPER is a compromise, but a practical one. It doesn’t pretend to be a spec king. Instead, it carves out a much-needed niche for readers, students, and screen-heavy professionals who care more about their vision than ultra-vibrant animations.

The Bottom Line

NXTPAPER isn’t trying to replace AMOLED or OLED in flagship phones or TVs. It doesn’t need to. TCL is smartly targeting users who spend hours reading, writing, or studying on screens and don’t want their eyes to pay the price.

It’s the kind of tech that doesn’t scream for attention. But once you’ve used it, especially over a long workday or a reading marathon, going back to a standard panel can feel jarring. NXTPAPER is a reminder that sometimes innovation doesn’t have to be louder, brighter, or faster.

Sometimes it just needs to feel a little more human.

In related news, we recently broke down TCL’s Inkjet-Printed OLED technology and also shared a guide on how to calibrate your TCL TV for the best possible picture quality.