TL;DR
TCL’s NXTPAPER 11 Plus aims to bridge the gap between e-readers and tablets with its revolutionary 11.5-inch matte display. This glare-free screen mimics the comfort of paper while offering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a dedicated button to switch between full color and e-ink modes. Designed for heavy readers and note-takers, the tablet boasts an impressive 3:2 aspect ratio and comes bundled with a stylus and protective case—a rare value at its price point. While the modest processor and limited software update policy might deter power users, the exceptional battery life and eye-friendly tech make it a standout choice for digital bibliophiles. Is this the end of glossy screen fatigue? Dive into our comprehensive review to see if the NXTPAPER 11 Plus earns a spot in your bag.
Do you have to choose between an e-reader and a tablet? TCL doesn’t think so. The matte NXTPAPER screen is what makes their tablets and phones stand out, and in its fourth generation, it is claimed to be glare-free and as easy on the eyes as an e-reader, while still behaving like a standard Android tablet with color, video, and 120 Hz. To that, add a substantial battery, a dedicated button that switches screen modes, and both a stylus and a case included in the box. All for just over 3,000 SEK.
But is the screen really as special as TCL wants us to believe? Let’s find out!
Design and build quality
An aluminum unibody, 6.5 millimeters thick and weighing 490 grams. Nothing here feels budget. The tablet feels significantly more expensive than the price tag suggests.
The aspect ratio is 3:2 instead of the more common 16:10, which in practice is close to an A4 page. This makes the tablet wider and more square, and it becomes much more pleasant to hold in portrait mode when reading. Two apps side-by-side in landscape mode also work better than on a more elongated tablet.
The back is a bit slippery and the circular camera module is placed right in the middle, so fingers often end up right on the lens. The tablet is IP54-rated, meaning dust and some splashes, nothing more.
A fingerprint reader is completely missing. Instead, it uses face recognition via the front camera, which is fast in good light but noticeably slower as it gets darker. It is 2D recognition, so in terms of security, it ranks below a fingerprint reader.
Screen
The screen is the entire reason this tablet exists. And it is fantastic. The panel is 11.5 inches, 2200 x 1440 pixels, and 120 Hz, but it’s not the specifications that make an impression, it’s the feel. The matte surface means that reflections virtually disappear. I can sit with a lamp directly behind me and barely see any reflections at all.
It is simply incredibly pleasant to look at. The surface is soft and paper-like, and the eyes relax in a different way compared to being in front of glossy glass. TCL uses DC dimming, which means the brightness is lowered by reducing the current to the backlight instead of it blinking on and off at high speeds. It is exactly this blinking that flicker-sensitive eyes react to, and in normal color mode, I find the screen comfortable even after long reading sessions.
The brightness isn’t massive. TCL states 550 nits, which is plenty indoors. Outdoors, it is actually possible to use the tablet, much thanks to the lack of reflections, but in bright sunlight, you will have to squint.
The dedicated NXTPAPER button on the side is really clever. One press toggles between three modes: normal color mode for video and web, Color Paper with warmer and muted tones for evening reading, and Ink Paper in black and white which turns the tablet into an e-reader. Changing the entire character of the screen with a physical button is unexpectedly smooth, and unlike a real e-reader, all apps work exactly as usual in all three modes. The button can be configured for single, double, and long presses.
Performance
It is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100, 8 GB of RAM with the option to borrow another 8 GB from storage, and 256 GB of internal memory. It is no performance powerhouse.
For what the tablet is built for, it is more than enough. Reading, streaming, web browsing, and light multitasking run smoothly, and the 120 Hz makes everything feel fluid. But the limits are noticed immediately when you demand more. Heavier games can be run, but only on lower settings, and the virtual memory is so slow that it’s hardly worth turning on the extra 8 GB.
Software
The tablet ships with Android 15 and TCL’s own skin. The skin is unusually clean and stripped down, without too much bloatware. There is a customizable side panel and a handful of AI tools such as voice memos with automatic summaries, translation, and real-time subtitles. Nothing groundbreaking, but nice to have.
That it comes with Android 15 instead of 16 is disappointing for a product being sold now. Worse is the update policy. As far as I can tell, only one single major Android upgrade is promised, which is extremely stingy. A tablet like this is made to be owned and read on for several years, and it deserves better.
Battery and charging
The battery is 8000 mAh, and the endurance is really good. The tablet handles a full day of mixed use without any problems, and if you put it away, the charge remains almost unchanged for several days. TCL talks about up to 60 days of standby, and even if that figure should be taken with a grain of salt, the standby consumption is extremely low. I have left it for a week without use and it hasn’t lost any charge at all.
Charging, on the other hand, is quite slow. A maximum of 33 W via USB-C with such a large battery means a full charge takes nearly two hours. I would have liked it to be faster. The charger is at least included in the box, which is not a given nowadays. You can use reverse charging to use the large battery to, for example, charge a pair of headphones.
Stylus and case
Both a case and a stylus are included, which feels generous in this price range.
The case is a flip case that folds into three positions: a standard stand mode, a compact mode, and a flatter angle designed for taking notes. Simple and useful.
The stylus is good and sleek. 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and charging via USB-C. It attaches magnetically to the case, sits securely, and is always at hand without having to look for it. It’s worth noting that the magnet is in the case and not in the tablet itself, so if you go without the case, there’s nowhere to attach the stylus. The writing feel against the matte surface is clearly better than dragging a pen over glossy glass; there is a pleasant slight friction. Handwriting-to-text works well in most apps. Tilt sensitivity is missing, so the pen is more designed for notes and annotating PDFs than for serious illustration work.
Camera
8 megapixels front and back. Barely adequate photos in good light, quickly worsening as the light fades. The front camera has fixed focus and, along with the dual microphones, provides exactly what is required for Teams and Zoom, and it keeps your face centered in the frame when you move. It’s not more than that, but perfectly reasonable for a tablet in this price range.
Audio and connectivity
Four speakers with DTS support. The sound is okay, but nothing more. Already around 70 percent volume, the treble starts to get very sharp, and there is no low-end to speak of.
In the settings, there is also something TCL calls Sound Booster. If it’s turned on, you can press volume up when you’re already at max to enter an Ultra Volume mode, which TCL themselves warn consumes more power. It certainly plays loud, but it doesn’t sound better. Rather the opposite. For podcasts, audiobooks, and YouTube on the couch, the speakers are sufficient; for music and movies, you’ll want headphones. There is no headphone jack.
The connectivity side is basic. Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C, but no 4G or 5G and no NFC.
Conclusion
The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus is one of the most likeable tablets I’ve tested in a long time, and that is almost exclusively due to the screen. The matte surface is wonderful to look at, glare-free, and easy on the eyes in a way that makes you want to sit and read for hours. Add the smart mode button, a really good battery, and the fact that a charger, stylus, and case are included, and you have a tablet that does something genuinely different in an otherwise rather dull category.
But it is not flawless. Performance is just adequate, charging is slower than it should be, the sound is mediocre, and it comes with Android 15 instead of 16. Above all, the meager update policy is a real disappointment for a tablet designed to last a long time.
Then there is the price. The recommended price is 3,690 SEK, but if you look around, you can often find it for around 3,000 SEK. For that money, with a stylus, case, and charger included, the objections become much easier to live with. Had it cost twice as much, I would have been harsher in this review.
If you want the fastest tablet, or one that you know will receive updates for many years, there are much better alternatives. If you are looking for an affordable tablet to read, stream, and take notes on, one that is easy on the eyes and a pleasure to look at day after day, then TCL has succeeded with something really good. With faster charging and a more generous update policy, it would have scored higher. As it stands, it’s a very strong seven.
TCL sent a review unit for this test. The sender of material has no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.
How we rate products at SensesReview Highlights: Q&A
What accessories are included in the box?
It includes a stylus, a flip case, and a charger.
Does the tablet have a fingerprint reader?
No, it uses 2D face recognition via the camera.
Is the performance suitable for heavy gaming?
No, it runs heavy games only on lower settings.
How long does the battery typically last?
It lasts a full day with very low standby drain.
Can the screen be used easily outdoors?
Matte finish stops glare, but sunlight causes squinting.
What is the policy for Android updates?
TCL only promises a single major Android upgrade.
Does the tablet have a headphone jack?
No, there is no physical headphone jack included.
