ZDNET’s comprehensive review highlights that the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is an affordable yet remarkably capable tablet, retailing for $239 through Verizon. This versatile device combines the qualities of a traditional full-color display with innovative paper-like and ink-style screen modes, offering users a uniquely tactile and visually comfortable experience. While it functions as a well-rounded entertainment hub suitable for everyday multimedia use—from streaming and casual gaming to social browsing and news reading—it equally excels as an e-reader alternative. However, prospective buyers should maintain realistic expectations regarding graphical fidelity; its display, while adaptable and pleasant to the eyes, does not aim to rival the sharpness or high-end rendering quality of an Apple iPad or other premium tablets currently dominating the market.
In my personal experience, reading has long served as my method of disconnecting from the day’s pace before bedtime. For over a decade, Kindle devices had been my steadfast companions for this routine. That changed, however, once I discovered TCL’s groundbreaking Nxtpaper technology last year. The innovation behind this display system immediately altered how I approached reading and tablet use overall, merging the practicality of e-ink comfort with the dynamic range of a color tablet. Ever since, I’ve had little reason to return to my older devices.
Although the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is no longer the newest model in the company’s product line, it has remained a staple in my household for more than six months. Its performance felt like an upgrade nearly from the moment I unboxed it. Within only a few hours of configuration, I decided to reassign my previous gadgets: my daughter inherited my old Kindle, while my husband received my former iPad. The sense of convenience and renewal was almost immediate.
What truly distinguishes the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is its adaptable screen, which can fluidly shift among several display modes—standard tablet view, color paper, and ink paper—without disrupting workflow or visual quality. Whether browsing social networks, watching a favorite series, reading online articles, or diving into an eBook, each transition feels organic and intentional. TCL’s proprietary Nxtpaper display departs fundamentally from the E Ink technology used in Kindles. While E Ink relies on electrophoretic movement of particles to produce grayscale imagery and mimics printed text quite effectively, it lacks the flexibility, vividness, and refresh rate required for full-scale multimedia experiences. Nxtpaper, in contrast, does not use a traditional backlight. Instead, it employs reflective layers and diffused illumination to minimize blue light exposure, reduce flicker, and ease visual fatigue—qualities that make prolonged screen sessions dramatically more comfortable.
The matte, frosted finish of the Nxtpaper display further enhances eye comfort by cutting glare and reflections, a benefit readily apparent when reading outdoors or in bright environments. TCL’s multi-layer anti-glare design helps preserve crisp readability whether under direct sunlight at the beach or soft indoor lighting by the window. Additionally, the absence of a conventional backlit mechanism contributes to energy efficiency and longer battery endurance, while an evenly distributed front-lighting system ensures consistent brightness without straining the eyes.
In contrast, typical E Ink panels, even those attempting to reproduce color, struggle to deliver saturation or rapid motion rendering suitable for video content or gaming. This distinction places the Nxtpaper technology in a unique space—bridging the gap between e-readers and multipurpose tablets.
The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G proved itself as a dependable everyday companion. Though it clearly isn’t engineered to compete with top-tier $1,000 tablets, it replaces two devices in one—my e-reader and an older iPad—without compromising usability. Admittedly, I’m not a high-performance tablet user who requires a workstation capable of replacing a MacBook Pro or iMac for labor-intensive tasks like video production or digital illustration. My needs revolve around entertainment and lightweight productivity: streaming YouTube or Netflix, reading news articles, writing personal notes, following baseball scores, checking weather forecasts, and enjoying the occasional casual game session. For such everyday usage, this tablet consistently performs with reliable smoothness.
As a writer, my professional expectations are limited to typing comfort and app fluidity. With a Bluetooth keyboard and a competent note-taking or word-processing app, I can draft, edit, and save work without unnecessary complexity. When I initially received the Nxtpaper tablet, I had modest expectations, unsure whether the display would meet the balance of e-reader gentleness and tablet vibrancy. Upon unboxing, however, I was struck by its polished design and the intuitive way its display modes adapted to my reading habits. Naturally, the first application I downloaded was the Kindle app. Transitioning from a single-purpose e-reader to a device that supported Kindle functionality with seamless scrolling and faster performance was revelatory. After many years on the same Kindle model, having touch responsiveness and visuals that retained a paper texture yet behaved like a modern touchscreen felt truly liberating.
After about an hour of continuous reading, I realized this device had become more than a novelty—it had redefined my digital reading habits. I promptly reset my old tenth-generation Kindle and configured it with Amazon Kids for my seven-year-old daughter. Since then, her reading engagement has flourished. Within her first three days of using the Kindle, she read for over four and a half hours; prior to that, her daily reading time averaged only around twenty minutes during school weeks. Now, she dedicates nearly forty minutes each night to reading on her own.
Beyond its role as a reader, the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G capably fulfills the broader duties of my household’s primary tablet. As a parent, much of my free time occurs on the sidelines—waiting through sports practices, music lessons, and other children’s activities that often stretch for hours. During those periods, this tablet serves as both my portable cinema and lightweight laptop substitute. I can review documents, write drafts in Google Docs, browse social feeds, or relax with Netflix or TikTok whenever the mood suits. That seamless integration of leisure and light work functionality made it natural for me to pass my old iPad to my husband without hesitation.
While the Android operating environment feels distinct from iPadOS, usability remains smooth. I’ve encountered few software inconsistencies, and multitasking through split-screen mode works without friction. Streaming and everyday app usage sustain a steady, responsive pace, reaffirming its stability.
From a purchasing perspective, ZDNET advises potential buyers that the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G delivers exceptional value for its price point. At only $239 via Verizon, or available under a $6.66 monthly installment plan for thirty-six months, it occupies an appealing space between affordability and practicality. Though not meant to achieve record-breaking benchmark results or replace high-end flagships, it proves remarkably well suited to readers, casual users, and families seeking functional reliability. TCL also offers an optional T-Pen stylus at around $40, adding potential for sketching or annotation. Verizon’s data plans begin at approximately $30 per month, which might primarily benefit users who rely heavily on mobile connectivity away from Wi-Fi. For my own household, I’ve found the built-in Wi-Fi support more than sufficient, occasionally supplementing it with an iPhone hotspot when necessary.
For those comparing specifications, the Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G features a 10.4-inch display, MediaTek 8755 processor, 8MP camera, 6,000mAh battery, and 128GB of internal storage, weighing approximately 480 grams. The slightly newer Tab 11 Nxtpaper 5G extends that screen size to 11 inches and battery capacity to 8,000mAh, retailing for just $10 more at $249. This comparative analysis reaffirms that the Tab 10 maintains an optimal balance between portability, capability, and cost-effectiveness.
Lastly, as noted in the updated review dated January 27, 2025, ZDNET revisited the device a year after its original assessment to confirm its continued value within an evolving tablet marketplace. The verdict remains consistent: despite newer entrants like the Tab 11 Nxtpaper, the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G persists as a dependable and surprisingly refreshing tablet choice. Its cohesive blend of eye comfort, adaptability, and affordability underscores that meaningful innovation often lies not in dramatic leaps forward, but in thoughtful refinements that make technology more accessible and enjoyable for everyday users.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/tcl-tab-10-nxtpaper-5g-review/
