TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper Review: A $499 Android Tablet That Wants to Be a Remarkable

TCL’s Note A1 Nxtpaper tablet, announced in August 2026, tries to occupy a space that few devices have successfully filled: a full Android tablet that also works as a dedicated note-taking device with a paper-like feel. At $499, it undercuts the Remarkable Pro by about $150, but the question is whether the compromises are worth it.

What’s Different

The Note A1’s headline feature is its matte LCD display. Unlike a standard glossy tablet screen, this panel scatters ambient light instead of reflecting it, cutting glare significantly. The 120Hz refresh rate means scrolling and video remain smooth—something E Ink tablets can’t match. TCL ships the tablet with a pressure-sensitive stylus that uses haptic feedback to simulate the scratch of pencil on paper. It’s not uncanny, but as The Verge’s review notes, it’s enough to make you momentarily forget you’re writing on glass.

Software is where the Note A1 borrows heavily from the Remarkable. Instead of a typical Android launcher, it boots into a note-taking dashboard with recent documents and calendar events. You can still install any app from the Play Store, but TCL clearly wants you to stay in the note-taking mindset. That dual identity is both the appeal and the flaw.

The LCD Tradeoff

TCL’s Nxtpaper technology started on tablets in 2021, moved to LCD phones in 2023, and finally reached OLED with the P80 Ultra phone announced in September 2026. The Note A1, however, remains LCD-based. That means it doesn’t benefit from the deeper blacks or always-on display capabilities of the OLED Nxtpaper panels. The P80 Ultra’s OLED version can switch to a monochrome, low-power e-reader mode that lasts up to seven days of active use, and it supports an always-on display—features the Note A1 lacks.

For a device positioned as a note-taking companion, the LCD limitation is notable. The matte coating helps readability, but the backlight is still there. In bright sunlight, it’s more legible than a glossy screen but not as paper-like as a proper E Ink panel. Hands-on impressions of the P80 Ultra highlight how the OLED version finally feels like “all upside”—the Note A1 doesn’t reach that bar.

What It Means for Builders

For engineers and founders evaluating devices for reading, note-taking, or field work, the Note A1 is a pragmatic compromise. It runs Android natively, so you can install Slack, GitHub, or any other productivity tool. The stylus works with pressure sensitivity and palm rejection decently. But it’s not a Remarkable replacement: the haptics are good but not E Ink’s zero-lag, zero-backlight experience. And it’s not a great Android tablet: the processor is midrange, and the software prioritizes notes over multitasking.

At $499, it’s cheaper than a Remarkable Pro plus a separate Android tablet. But if your primary need is reading and writing, a dedicated E Ink device still wins. If you need a full tablet that also handles notes, you’re better off with an iPad and a third-party note app. The Note A1 sits in the middle—and for some use cases, that might be exactly right.

Bottom Line

The TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper is a well-executed idea that doesn’t quite escape the compromises of its dual nature. The matte display and haptic stylus are genuinely good, but the LCD screen and software limitations mean it’s not the best at either job. It’s worth a look if you’ve been curious about a Remarkable but can’t give up Android apps. Just know what you’re giving up.