Wednesday, February 18, 2026

TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER Hands-On at CES 2026 – A Paper-Like Android Tablet That Actually Works




 While walking the show floor at CES 2026, one tablet really surprised me — the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER. At first glance it looks like a regular Android tablet, but once you start writing on it, you immediately notice how different it feels.

After spending some time testing it out, the tablet felt solid and well built. Writing with the included stylus was extremely responsive with no noticeable lag. Notes appeared instantly, and the experience felt natural — closer to pen and paper than glass.

The standout feature is TCL’s NXTPAPER display technology. Instead of the typical glossy screen, this tablet uses a matte, anti-glare surface that cuts reflections and adds a subtle texture. It not only reduces eye strain but also makes writing feel more controlled and comfortable.

And unlike E-ink tablets that are slow or limited to black and white, this is still a full-color LCD tablet. That means you can browse the web, watch videos, read books, and use apps normally. Thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, everything scrolls buttery smooth.

In short, it feels like a digital notebook and a full Android tablet combined into one device.


Why It Stands Out

• Matte paper-like screen with reduced glare
• Smooth and fast 120Hz display
• Very natural writing feel with included stylus
• Full color LCD (not E-ink)
• Thin, lightweight, and portable
• Great for students, work, and everyday productivity


Full Specs & Features

Display

• 11.5-inch NXTPAPER matte LCD
• 2200 × 1440 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Anti-glare / anti-fingerprint finish
• Low blue light eye-comfort technology

Performance

• MediaTek Helio G100 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB storage

Battery

• 8,000mAh battery
• 33W fast charging

Stylus

• T-Pen Pro included
• 8,192 pressure levels
• Built-in eraser
• Ultra-low latency writing

Cameras & Audio

• 13MP rear camera
• Dual speakers
• Multi-microphone array

Software & Productivity

• Android operating system
• AI tools for transcription, summaries, and handwriting-to-text
• Split-screen multitasking
• Cloud sync support
• Wireless screen casting

Design & Connectivity

• Slim aluminum body (~5.5mm thin)
• Lightweight (~500g)
• USB-C
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Pogo pin accessory connector


First Impressions

From my short time using it at CES, the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER felt polished and practical. The matte display made it easy to see under bright lights, writing felt instant and smooth, and the 120Hz screen made everything feel fast and modern.

If you want something that can replace your notebooks but still function like a normal tablet, this could be one of the most interesting productivity devices coming this year.

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