Unveiling the TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper: A Revolutionary Writing Experience at CES 2026
LAS VEGAS—TCL is making waves in the color e-paper notebook market with the Note A1 Nxtpaper, a sleek and innovative device that combines an ebook reader and a stylus-powered notebook. This cutting-edge gadget promises to revolutionize the way we take notes, organize ideas, and express our creativity. But how does it stack up against the competition, especially the Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft and the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C?
We got an exclusive preview of the Note A1 Nxtpaper at CES 2026, and it's a game-changer. Here's what we discovered.
A Stylish and Powerful Slate
The Note A1 Nxtpaper is a masterpiece of design and engineering. Its sleek, slim profile measures just 0.22 inches thick, making it as thin as a standard iPad. The device is crafted from high-quality materials, with a sharp aluminum framing and a glass screen that feels solid and durable. The wide bezel on the left side provides a comfortable grip, and TCL has cleverly integrated a home button that launches the home screen, creates a new note, or starts a voice recording with just a few taps.
The T-Pen Pro Stylus: A Mixed Bag
The included T-Pen Pro stylus is a bit of a mixed bag. While it feels nice to use for writing, the plastic construction and grainy texture could be improved. A button near the writing tip allows for secondary actions, and an eraser at the top adds versatility. However, the eraser head feels a bit odd, as it's made of hard plastic, unlike the familiar rubber eraser of a traditional pencil.
A Smooth Writing Experience
Despite the stylus's minor drawbacks, the writing experience is exceptional. TCL has focused on enhancing the writing feel, and it shows. The T-Pen Pro glides smoothly across the glass, mimicking the sensation of a ballpoint pen on paper. This makes note-taking and sketching a breeze.
A Matte Screen for Enhanced Reading
The 11.5-inch screen boasts a matte finish, ensuring a comfortable reading experience even in well-lit environments. It can display over 16 million colors at up to 120Hz, but TCL sparingly uses color in the UI, keeping the interface mostly black and white. This device is not designed for video playback, so don't expect a cinematic experience.
Robust Note-Taking Features
The Note A1 Nxtpaper runs on Android but lacks access to the Google Play Store, emphasizing its focus on note-taking. The software is intuitive and powerful, allowing users to create, format, and summarize notes effortlessly. It also integrates seamlessly with email, calendar, Microsoft OneDrive, and Google Drive for cloud synchronization.
Competitive Pricing and Availability
The TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper is priced at $549 for the 256GB model and will be available in February. We're excited to put it through its paces against the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft and the Onyx Boox Note Air 4 C, and we'll deliver a comprehensive review once it hits the shelves.
About the Author
Eric Zeman, Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
With over 25 years of experience in the tech industry, Eric Zeman is a trusted authority on consumer electronics. He oversees a team of reviewers and product testers, ensuring PCMag delivers the most insightful and reliable tech reviews.
