In this paper, a new integrable nonlinear Schrödinger-type (NLST) equation is investigated by prolongation structures theory and Riemann-Hilbert (R-H) approach. Via prolongation structures theory, the Lax pair of the NLST equation, a 2×2 matrix spectral problem, is derived. Depending on the analysis of red the spectral problem, a R-H problem of the NLST equation is formulated. Furthermore, through a specific R-H problem with the vanishing scattering coefficient, N-soliton solutions of the NLST equation are expressed explicitly. Moreover, a few key differences are presented, which exist in the implementation of the inverse scattering transform for NLST equation and cubic nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. Finally, the dynamic behaviors of soliton solutions are shown by selecting appropriate spectral parameter λ, respectively.