As part of IFA 2026, TCL unveiled its new TAB A1 series of tablets, a lineup that should make it refreshingly easy to choose which is right for you. The lineup includes four tablets: the TAB A1, the TAB A1 NXTPAPER, and iterations of both of those in “Plus” sizes. The only real differentiators here are screen type and screen size.
For those new to TCL’s tablets, NXTPAPER is the company’s proprietary screen type that uses a matte finish and cuts down on blue light to give the display a paper-like feel without actually using e-paper technology. Both the TAB A1 NXTPAPER and the TAB A1 Plus NXTPAPER come built with this technology (as you might’ve guessed from the name). The NXTPAPER Plus model also has a dedicated button to toggle between display modes: Standard Mode, Color Paper Mode (a color-enabled mode with a softer look), and Ink Paper Mode (more of a grayscale e-reader vibe).
The smaller 11-inch models are being billed as lighter, easy-to-carry options, coming in at just 6.2mm thick with a 2.1K resolution and refresh rates of up to 90Hz. The Plus models have 12.2-inch displays that give you a 3:2 aspect ratio, 2.4K resolution, and 120Hz refresh rates. The aspect ratio and slightly larger screen size make the Plus models ideal for watching videos. All four tablets run Android 16, and we’d expect it’ll have plenty of random AI features thrown in for good measure.
NXTPAPER is really the big thing setting TCL’s tablets apart in a market dominated by giants like Samsung. While it’s not quite as easy to stare at for hours in the way e-ink displays are, NXTPAPER does give users the added option of switching back and forth to a more standard tablet-viewing experience for web browsing and watching video.
TCL hasn’t released any info on pricing or a release date for the new A1 TAB lineup, though past models have been on the affordable side for Android tablets. The new tablets are limited to select European markets for now.
