The TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER is built around a specific task: capture an idea in ink and keep a recording alongside the work of taking notes. It pairs a matte 11.5-inch display with a T-Pen Pro and eight microphones. That's a different proposition from TCL's general-purpose TAB A1, despite the similar name.
In depth
TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER review
Published
Best forpeople who leave meetings with handwritten notes, diagrams, and an audio recording to reconcile.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 11.5 inches
- Panel technology
- Matte NXTPAPER LCD (3:2)
- Processor
- MediaTek Helio G100
- Storage
- 256GB
- Operating system
- Customized Android · third-party APK installation supported
Pros
- Included T-Pen Pro and a matte 3:2 writing surface
- Eight microphones for audio capture
Cons
- Specialized home screen favors note-taking
- Backlit display uses power while reading
Display & Pen
- 11.5 inches
- 2200 × 1440
- Up to 120 Hz
The 2200 × 1440 screen supports up to 120 Hz and can show full-color documents. Mark up a chart during a discussion and its colored series can stay visible beneath your handwriting. The T-Pen Pro is included. A keyboard case is optional, so work out whether you mostly annotate a page or type a transcript before adding one.
WIRED enjoyed drawing and annotating on the Note A1, but found the glass smoother under the pen than a reMarkable writing surface. That is a useful distinction if friction against the nib matters more to you than color or video. 1
Recording & Software
TCL includes recording and transcription tools. For a consequential quotation, go back to the audio to check names, numbers, and who spoke. A microphone array doesn't ensure that a voice at the far end of a noisy room will be captured clearly. TCL supports installing Android APK files alongside its own notebook tools. Check the sign-in and device requirements of your organization's apps before relying on one for a meeting.
Storage
The 256 GB drive gives room for saved documents and recordings. Decide how you will export and back up a finished notebook before it contains a semester of material. Export formats matter if another person needs to make changes after you send it.
Alternatives
XPPen's Magic Note Pad is a smaller color writing tablet with an included pen and three display modes for reading or drawing. A standard TCL TAB A1 suits a household primarily buying for streaming and web use.
Verdict
Pick the Note A1 for a repeatable writing and recording routine. Its special features are worth more to a frequent note-taker than to someone who only occasionally annotates a PDF.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- WIREDTCL Note A1 Nxtpaper Review (2026): A Hybrid Tablet for Taking Notes and Watching Video | WIRED (opens in a new tab)https://www.wired.com/review/tcl-note-a1-nxtpaper-tablet/
Drawing and annotation with the T-Pen Pro, including a comparison of writing surfaces.