TCL’s NXTPAPER series has carved out a small but loyal following. The screens show full color but can switch to a simple e-paper mode, which makes reading or sketching easier. At CES 2026, TCL gave the lineup some love with a new Android phone and tablet packed with handy features. Since I read a lot, I wanted to see if NXTPAPER could replace my Amazon Kindle.
What is TCL NXTPAPER?
TCL brought the NXTPAPER display technology to life as a screen that cares for your eyes. The setup blends smart hardware with clever software to give a clear, easy-on-the-eyes, paper-like, full-color view for any moment.
Samsung, Google, and Apple push out familiar ideas, so NXTPAPER feels like a breath of fresh air. The concept shares roots with known screen tech, yet it brings a new twist. The panel uses LCD tech with a blue light filter and nano-matrix lithography to create a paper-style feel. This combo gives the matte surface more texture and depth. Contrast cues and a soft backlight glow shape the look. This choice keeps peak brightness below many common screens. However, there’s no need to worry about brightness—something I’ll demonstrate below.
NXTPAPER 70 Pro
At CES 2026, TCL introduced the NXTPAPER 70 Pro, putting the screen front and center. The display blends full smartphone color with a glare-free, low–blue light experience similar to an e-reader. TCL continues the NXTPAPER approach by pairing an e-Ink–style matte panel with a solid midrange phone, while also adding full dust and water protection.
The emphasis on display quality carries over to the 6.9-inch NXTPAPER 4.0 panel. Its surface looks and feels more textured than a typical glossy screen, helping reduce glare during everyday use. Beyond the display, the phone features a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, 8 GB of RAM, an IP68 rating, and a 50-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization.
On the specifications front, the NXTPAPER 70 Pro offers a 2,340 × 1,080 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness reaches 900 nits, paired with a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a 91% screen-to-body ratio. While the brightness falls short of today’s top flagships, the matte finish helps maintain clarity and vivid colors without glare, according to users.
Note A1 NXTPAPER
TCL adds a fresh option to its tablet lineup with the Note A1 NXTPaper, which leans into note work. It doesn’t try to replace a full tablet. You get an 11.5 inch screen and a custom Android system. TCL limits the app mix on purpose. Edge and Outlook come preloaded. The Play Store stays out. That choice defines the audience.
Gamers and heavy users may want another path. The TCL Note A1 NXTPaper speaks to a narrow group, people with strong screen flicker and PWM sensitivity who need a coloRr LCD for work or study. For that crowd, the Note A1 NXTPaper fills a rare gap and brings real value.
The AI tools aim at everyday tasks rather than show pieces. You can create meeting notes, capture directional audio, and use live translation in one smooth flow. The system can sum up articles and turn dense ideas into clear tasks for class or talks. Inspiration Space ties it all together, giving you one place to save ideas while the AI assistant keeps order and pulls items when you want a quick reference. As a writer, I can rely on Inspiration Space to organize my notes and thoughts, making it easy to turn sparks into full drafts.
Parting thoughts
I’m curious to see if NXTPAPER could fit into my reading routine. The idea of a screen that feels like paper but still shows color makes me wonder if it could take over some of the time I spend on my Kindle. TCL’s approach looks like a smart way to make screens easier on the eyes while still doing more than a typical e-reader.