TCL’s NXTPAPER tech just makes tablets better in my opinion, but thus far the company has been missing the market on the form factor. With its new TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus, though, I think we might be getting just the right combination of everything.
When I tried the TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro last year at CES, I walked away eager to spend more time with the tech, but also wishing that TCL would put it in a smaller form factor that not’s a phone. I technically got my wish later on, when the TCL NXTPAPER Tab 10 delivered the same display in a 10.1-inch form factor. The problem? While I liked the tablet as a whole, it was super underpowered, making it a drag to do… well basically anything.
That’s why the new TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus stands out to me. The new tablet has an 11.5-inch display (with pretty slim bezels), making for a form factor that isn’t overwhelmingly large. I’d still love a smaller option, like maybe a 9-inch tablet, but this is a good middle ground.
This latest model brings the debut of NXTPAPER 4.0, an update to both the hardware and the software of TCL’s NXTPAPER tech. One of the main goals, I was told, was to cut down on any blur that comes from a matte finish, and it did seem slightly sharper compared to the 10-inch model I was using previously (though I believe the resolution had a bigger role to play there).
It also seems to have modest specs, with considerably better performance in my limited use here at CES 2025 compared to the 10-inch model. TCL isn’t officially confirming the chip or memory until MWC in March, though, but it’s noticeably better side-by-side, and I think that’s all that really matters when the price range comes into view.
TCL hinted that this tablet will be in the $200-250 range, and if that comes to pass I think that performance that’s good enough not to slow you down, even if it doesn’t leave overhead for games and such, will be good enough for most buyers.
Another notable addition to this tablet is the NXTPAPER key, which is an extra button that can switch between NXTPAPER modes (regular, color paper, and ink paper), as well as launching TCL’s new AI tools (which felt pretty generic to me). The button also lights up, and TCL mentioned that it will support acting as a notification light, an unexpected but appreciated blast from the past.
Overall, this new tablet really just feels like the ideal middle ground. TCL should continue to build on NXTPAPER, as I think it’s really a huge benefit to a tablet (and way more than just a matte display), and this really builds out the foundation to grow from.
The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus will be released in the first half of 2025, and will be announced in full – pricing and all – in March at MWC.
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