TCL unveils Tab A1 Plus tablet with 12.2-inch display and NxtPaper option, NxtPaper 70 Pro launches in Europe
TCL Introduces Tab A1 Plus Tablet With Optional NxtPaper Display, Expands NxtPaper 70 Pro Availability in Europe
TCL announces Tab A1 Plus at MWC 2026 as NxtPaper 70 Pro reaches European markets
At Mobile World Congress 2026, Chinese electronics company TCL introduced a new Android tablet called the TCL Tab A1 Plus, featuring a large 12.2-inch display and support for the company’s paper-like NxtPaper display technology. During the same announcement, TCL confirmed that its TCL NxtPaper 70 Pro smartphone will now be available across European markets. The announcements highlight the company’s push into larger screens and eye-friendly display technology.
Tablet revealed during TCL’s product showcase at MWC
The TCL Tab A1 Plus was shown publicly during the company’s event at Mobile World Congress 2026, the annual global mobile industry exhibition held in Barcelona, Spain. The tablet expands TCL’s Android tablet lineup and introduces a new display size and design compared with earlier models.
The device will be available in two display versions. One model uses a conventional IPS LCD panel, while another includes TCL’s proprietary NxtPaper display treatment designed to mimic the visual comfort of paper. The technology adds a matte surface layer that reduces glare and reflections while keeping the color capabilities of a traditional LCD.
TCL has spent several years developing NxtPaper displays as an alternative to both standard tablet screens and e-ink displays used in dedicated e-readers.
Display and design changes
Large 12.2-inch screen with 3:2 aspect ratio
The TCL Tab A1 Plus features a 12.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1,600 × 2,400 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. This format is often used on productivity-focused tablets because it offers more vertical space than the wider 16:9 screens typically found on media-focused devices.
The display also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, allowing smoother scrolling and animation compared with traditional 60Hz panels.
Early hands-on impressions suggest the bezels surrounding the screen are thinner than those seen on earlier TCL tablets. This change increases the usable screen area without making the overall device significantly larger.
NxtPaper display modes
The NxtPaper version of the tablet includes a dedicated button that allows users to quickly switch between different screen modes. TCL describes three main display profiles:
Regular Mode
This mode uses standard color reproduction and brightness levels suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, video playback, and apps.
Color Paper Mode
This setting reduces color saturation to simulate the softer tones typically seen in printed material. The goal is to provide a more comfortable reading experience for longer sessions.
Ink Paper Mode
The screen switches to grayscale, creating a visual style similar to e-ink displays. While it does not use actual e-ink technology, the mode aims to reduce eye strain during reading.
The NxtPaper screen surface also uses a matte coating to reduce reflections under bright lighting.
Stylus support for handwriting and drawing
The tablet supports the TCL T‑Pen Pro stylus, which is designed for handwriting, sketching, and annotation tasks. According to TCL, the stylus supports up to 8,192 pressure levels, a specification commonly found in drawing tablets used by artists and designers.
Pressure sensitivity allows the stylus to vary line thickness depending on how firmly it is pressed against the screen. This can improve accuracy when writing notes or drawing diagrams.
Hardware specifications
Processor and memory
The tablet is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset. The processor is typically used in mid-range smartphones and tablets and focuses on efficiency and everyday performance rather than high-end gaming.
The Tab A1 Plus pairs the chip with:
8GB of RAM
128GB of internal storage
Users can expand storage using a microSD card slot, allowing additional space for media files, apps, and documents.
Cameras and construction
The tablet includes a modest camera system designed mainly for video calls and document scanning rather than photography.
Rear camera:
8-megapixel sensor
LED flash
Circular camera housing on the back panel
Front camera:
5-megapixel sensor
The device uses a metal unibody chassis, which provides structural rigidity and a more premium feel compared with plastic tablet bodies.
Weight and durability
According to TCL’s specifications, the tablet weighs 542 grams. Hands-on impressions from the MWC event suggest the device may feel slightly lighter in hand than the official number indicates.
The device carries an IP54 rating, meaning it has basic protection against dust and limited resistance to water splashes.
Battery and charging
The Tab A1 Plus includes an 8,000mAh battery, which should allow extended usage for reading, media playback, and general productivity.
Charging is supported at 20W wired speeds, which is typical for tablets in this category.
Software experience
The tablet ships with Android 16 and TCL’s custom interface layered on top.
According to early demonstrations, the software remains close to standard Android with pre-installed Google services and apps.
TCL’s interface includes additional tools for the NxtPaper display modes and stylus features. These may include:
note-taking tools
screen reading modes
display profile adjustments
The company has not yet provided details about long-term software update commitments for the device.
NxtPaper 70 Pro expands into Europe
Alongside the new tablet, TCL confirmed that its NxtPaper 70 Pro smartphone is launching in several European markets.
The phone was previously announced but is now receiving broader availability across the region.
Pricing for the European market is expected to be:
€299 for the 256GB version
€359 for the 512GB version
The smartphone also features TCL’s NxtPaper display technology, continuing the company’s strategy of applying the screen technology across both tablets and phones.
Industry context: eye-friendly displays becoming a focus
The introduction of the Tab A1 Plus reflects a broader trend in the consumer electronics industry. Several manufacturers are exploring new ways to make screens easier on the eyes during long usage periods.
Companies such as Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo have introduced features like:
adaptive color temperature
low blue-light modes
anti-glare coatings
However, TCL’s NxtPaper approach attempts to go further by physically altering the display surface to reduce glare and reflections.
At the same time, tablet makers continue to increase screen sizes and refresh rates. Displays above 12 inches are becoming more common as tablets are used for productivity tasks such as note-taking, drawing, and document editing.
The inclusion of a 120Hz panel in the Tab A1 Plus reflects this shift toward smoother and more responsive interfaces.
What this means for consumers
For tablet buyers, the Tab A1 Plus suggests several practical changes in how devices may evolve.
Larger screens for productivity
A 12-inch class display provides more space for reading documents, editing files, and multitasking compared with smaller tablets.
Improved reading comfort
NxtPaper display modes could benefit users who spend long periods reading ebooks, research papers, or online articles.
Stylus-focused workflows
Support for a pressure-sensitive stylus suggests the device may target students, note-takers, and creative users who rely on handwriting or sketching.
Longer battery capacity
An 8,000mAh battery aligns with current tablet trends where manufacturers aim to support full-day usage on a single charge.
Author insight: what years of covering tablets suggest
After following the tablet industry for several product cycles, a few patterns have become clear.
First, many tablet makers are now experimenting with display technologies rather than simply increasing raw performance. Eye comfort has become a real design focus as people spend more hours reading and working on screens.
Second, stylus support is quietly becoming standard in mid-range tablets. A few years ago it was mainly limited to premium devices. Now companies are integrating stylus compatibility to appeal to students and remote workers.
Third, manufacturers appear to be testing hybrid experiences between e-readers and tablets. TCL’s NxtPaper approach sits right between the two categories. It tries to combine the color and responsiveness of LCD screens with the reading comfort of paper.
These shifts suggest tablets are moving beyond simple media consumption devices toward tools that support longer work sessions and reading.
Timeline of TCL’s NxtPaper development
TCL has been gradually expanding the NxtPaper concept over several years.
2021–2022
The company first introduced early NxtPaper display concepts focused on reducing blue light and glare.
2023–2024
TCL began shipping tablets that used the technology, testing consumer interest in paper-like screens.
2025
NxtPaper displays appeared in more devices, including tablets designed for students and educational use.
2026
With the introduction of the Tab A1 Plus and the European release of the NxtPaper 70 Pro smartphone, TCL is expanding the technology across both phones and tablets.
When the Tab A1 Plus may launch
TCL has not yet announced official pricing or release dates for the Tab A1 Plus.
However, based on the company’s previous launch patterns, devices revealed at Mobile World Congress often reach retail markets within a few months of the event.
Industry observers expect the tablet to appear in selected markets later in 2026, though exact availability will likely vary by region.
More details about pricing, configurations, and distribution partners may emerge in the coming weeks as TCL finalizes launch plans.
Key Takeaways
• TCL introduced the Tab A1 Plus tablet at Mobile World Congress 2026
• The device features a 12.2-inch 120Hz IPS display with an optional NxtPaper matte screen
• The tablet runs Android 16 and is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
• It includes 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, stylus support, and an 8,000mAh battery
• TCL also confirmed European availability for the NxtPaper 70 Pro smartphone
• Pricing and release details for the tablet have not yet been announced
External References and further reading
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