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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper is a notes-first device.
- The split view for recording, transcription, and note-taking is super handy.
- The matte display looks great, but the tablet skips Nxtpaper’s signature mode switcher.
I spent time at TCL’s suite at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to get some hands-on time with TCL’s Note A1 Nxtpaper, and it’s obvious that TCL did not try to build a general-purpose tablet. Instead, it’s a modern notebook, similar to what ReMarkable Paper Pro or Amazon’s Kindle Scribe Papersoft offer, with a highly custom build of Android underneath.
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The digital paper category has started to split into two camps, with some devices adopting the minimalist approach of E Ink, while others bolt note-taking onto a standard tablet and hope it does the trick. TCL continues to pave a third lane with its Nxtpaper display technology, and now it brings a focused note machine with a full-color, high-refresh display that is designed to be easy on the eyes.
The display sets the tone
If you’ve used Nxtpaper phones or tablets before, you know what to expect here, with some notable changes. TCL usually gives you a mode switch, so you can hop between full color and more paper-like modes. The Note A1 takes a different approach, baking the look in with no mode switching, and they call it Nxtpaper Pure. Having grown accustomed to the different modes, this omission stood out to me, but I can understand why TCL went this route, considering this tablet is not meant to be all things for all people.
All of this means the 11.5-inch panel, with its signature matte finish and flatter color spectrum, nudges the device toward longer productivity sessions. The display also runs at a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which significantly enhances the interface’s responsiveness, making it feel more like a modern screen than a sluggish e-reader in my use.
Also: I tested the ReMarkable Paper Pro, and can’t go back to ‘real’ paper – especially at this price
TCL also talks up eye comfort certifications and glare reduction, including a layer it calls 3A Crystal Shield Glass, directly responsible for the smoothness of the display and the reduced glare that I experienced. The matte finish felt a bit more subtle than other Nxtpaper products I have tested, including the Nxtpaper 60 Ultra. By comparison, the Note A1 presents a more muted presentation.
The tablet has a solid, tight design that feels thin and light in the hand. TCL made a smart choice with the chassis shape on the side, integrating the home button around the area intended for gripping. This helped when I held the tablet with my left hand while writing with the included T Pen Pro with my right hand. In photos, that wider bezel looks wasteful, but in use, it gave my hand a place to grip.
Speaking of the T Pen Pro, the pen supports 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity plus an eraser function on the back, which I always appreciate. During my demo, the pen snapped easily to the side magnetically, so it has a place to live. I did notice that the magnetic pull felt a bit light, and a couple of inadvertent bumps dislodged it during my short time.
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The writing feels closer to pen on paper than pencil on paper. I felt some resistance and texture, but I still got a little glide. I also really liked the feel of the eraser implementation, as the back end has a slight pop-down feel that makes the switch feel intentional.
A purpose-built Android interface
TCL’s Nxtpaper devices typically operate in the Android world, so it’s no surprise that the mobile OS underpins the Note A1. However, the focused approach of this device means you’ll rarely see any hints of that. I could not pull down a typical Android notification shade, and there were no quick settings either. The only thing that resembled Android was the PIN entry screen for unlocking the device from a screen-off state. TCL built a highly custom interface that keeps you on narrow rails, and that choice aligns with this device’s mission of avoiding the role of a general-purpose tablet.
TCL did acknowledge during my demo that the Android foundation underneath technically keeps the doors open for deeper access. I left with the impression that TCL knows the underlying platform gives technically inclined users room to experiment, even if TCL does not sell the Note A1 as an app playground.
ALSO: This $200 Android phone with a paper-like display made my Pixel look overbearing
The home button on the side panel is a programmable shortcut that responds to single press, double tap, and long press behaviors, with long press jumping straight into recording and live transcription during my demo. This integrated action sets the tone for the tablet, enabling users to capture thoughts quickly without having to hunt through apps or menus.
Another place this philosophy is evident is in a useful split-view workflow that combines audio recording, live transcription, and note-taking into a single view. I could easily see myself using that layout in real meetings, because it aligns with how my brain works when I try to listen, capture key points, and add my own context.
TCL lists handwriting conversion as a feature in its spec sheet, but the unit I used did not offer it. The TCL representative told me the team is still working on it, so I want to see how TCL delivers it in shipping software.
Work and productivity focus
TCL clearly aims the Note A1 at work and productivity, leaning heavily on Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Copilot and the Edge browser, and TCL positions that choice as a better fit for business users. That said, cloud offerings also included Google Drive and Dropbox, and TCL hinted at more destinations appearing over time.
The Note A1 feels like a confident device that taps into the unique strength of its Nxtpaper technology with a commitment to a very singular job. It feels thin and light, the pen feels sturdy, and that trio meeting view makes a strong argument for a dedicated note device. I also appreciate that TCL includes a folio-style magnetic case, and TCL talked about a future keyboard accessory that could bring this closer to a light productivity setup.
TCL framed this announcement as part of a broader Nxtpaper push, and the company also introduced the TCL Nxtpaper 70 Pro smartphone with a dedicated Nxtpaper key for its more traditional display mode-switching on board. Together, the phone and the Note A1 show TCL doubling down on a simple concept — building screens that people can live on and look at for longer without feeling punished for it.
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