WIRED Review: TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper Targets Hybrid Tablet Market
A WIRED assessment of the TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper finds a capable hybrid for note-taking and media, though software quirks and hardware bulk present hurdles for potential buyers.
WIRED has published a review of the TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper, a hybrid tablet designed to bridge the gap between digital note-taking and media consumption. The device utilises a proprietary 1440 x 2200-pixel matte LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, diverging from the E Ink technology that dominates competitors such as ReMarkable and the Kindle Scribe. This approach aims to deliver a paper-like writing experience while retaining full Android functionality for video and app usage.
The hardware specifications include a MediaTek G100 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, housed in a solid aluminium body that weighs 500 grams and measures 5 millimetres thick. The tablet ships with the T-Pen Pro stylus, which the review notes for its low latency and excellent pressure sensitivity. The device also features AI-driven capabilities, including automated meeting summaries and handwriting-to-text conversion, powered by the custom Android user interface.
While the screen is praised for reducing glare and offering versatility, the review criticises several hardware aspects. The bundled keyboard case is described as heavy and overly complex due to its three-panel origami-style design. Additionally, the device lacks physical volume buttons, a feature noted as a significant omission for usability. The writing experience, while functional, does not fully replicate the texture of paper found on dedicated E Ink devices.
The software experience presents a mixed bag. The user interface includes an "Inspiration Space" for clipping content and a sidebar for app access. However, the reviewer identified unintuitive file management issues, such as difficulties with side-by-side document viewing and a cumbersome process for switching between reading and editing modes. The tablet was initially launched via Kickstarter and now comes with the Google Play Store pre-installed, though it also supports open-source alternatives like F-Droid.
TCL also produces the Nxtpaper 11 Plus, a lower-cost alternative with similar screen technology but less powerful hardware. The review suggests that while the Note A1 offers a more robust hardware package, the price difference may not be justified for all users. The source notes that TCL’s software support period is short, raising questions about long-term viability, and highlights potential future conflicts for apps installed via F-Droid due to Android development plans.
