Let’s face it, not all tablets are equal. In fact, some truly set themselves apart from the competition by offering functionality and integrated technology that’s unique. This is one of those cases: the TCL NXTPaper 14 (Model 9491G) is an Android tablet that runs using the MTK Helio G99 (MT8781) 2.2Ghz processor with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. And, yes, an optional attachable keyboard and the TCL T-Pen stylus can be used as alternate ways to interact with this device.
Like all Android tablets, this one comes with numerous preinstalled apps, including apps for most popular Google services, including Gmail, Chrome, Google Photos, Google Drive, Google Play, the Google Workplace apps, YouTube, and more.
TCL NXTPaper 14 Android Tablet
Beyond the apps that come preinstalled, the NXTPaper 14 tablet provides easy access to the Google Play Store. From here, you can customize the tablet using your choice of over 2.06 million optional apps. Plus, using tools integrated into Android, you get options to personalize how you interact with the device, adjust its privacy/security settings, and customize the appearance of the lock and home screens. These are all functions you’d expect from a higher-end Android tablet, but this one has a starting price of under $360 (with Amazon instant coupon).
The NXTPaper 14 provides a beautiful touchscreen display with 2.4K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. These specs aren’t what makes this tablet special, though: it features the company’s proprietary 3-in-1 display technology. Thus, you get access to three distinct display modes — Regular Mode, Color Paper Mode, and Ink Paper mode — which I’ll describe shortly. This display technology offers multiple ways to view content, and plenty of on-screen real estate to run individual apps or multitask.
The folks at TCL recently provided me with a review unit of the NXTPaper 14, which I immediately put to the test using it with a wide range of work, entertainment, productivity, and creativity apps. I quickly discovered this tablet performs as well, if not better than most much higher-priced devices. It also gives users access to the latest technologies, including Google Gemini AI tools and features. Keep reading to learn more about my experiences using this affordable, yet extremely powerful, versatile, and rather unique tablet.
Specifications
- Price: $360 (with Amazon instant coupon).
- Display Size: 14.3-inch touchscreen.
- Display Type: IPS LCD NXTPaper 3.0 3-in-1 VersaView.
- Display Resolution: 2,400 x 1,600 pixels (2.4K).
- Max. Display Brightness: 400 nits.
- Refresh Rate: Up to 60Hz.
- Operating System: Android 14.
- CPU: MTK Helio G99 (MT8781) 2.2Ghz.
- GPU: Mali-G57 MC2.
- RAM: 8GB.
- Storage: 256GB.
- TCL T-Pen Stylus Support: Yes.
- Battery Capacity: 10,000mAh.
- Front Camera Resolution: 13MP and 5MP.
- Rear Camera Resolution: 8MP (with Flash).
- Wi-Fi: 8002.11 a/b/g/n/ac.
- Bluetooth: 5.0.
- Port: USB Type-C 2.0.
- Microphones: Dual microphone array.
- Speakers: Quad speaker system.
- Waterproof Rating: IP54.
- Dimensions: : 12.69 inches high x 8.87 inches wide x 0.27 inches thick.
- Weight: 26.8 ounces.
Pros
- 14.3-inch, 3-in-1 display.
- Powerful processor.
- Runs Android 14.
- Quad speaker system.
- Offers excellent value.
Cons
- No memory card expansion slot.
- Lacks fingerprint sensor.
- External keyboard sold separately.
Here’s What Sets the TCL NXTPaper 14 Apart: Power Combined with Unique Features
The three key features that set the TCL NXTPaper 14 apart are its large (14.3-inch) size display, and that the tablet offers TCL’s 3-in-1 NXTPaper technology. It’s also very affordable. Everything else the tablet offers is what you’d expect from a higher-end Android tablet, which means it can serve as a feature-packed productivity or entertainment device.
The tablet does an excellent job running popular business applications, especially Google apps. The larger display size gives users plenty of on-screen workspace. The quad speaker system and microphone array built into the tablet allow this device to be used for a wide range of entertainment tasks, too. Streaming video and gaming all look and sound fantastic, while the tools built into Google Photos, combined with the larger size of the display and the use of optional apps, make the NXTPaper 14 an excellent mobile device for editing photos or videos.
Meanwhile, the tablet’s front- and rear-facing cameras handle tasks like video calls well, but don’t offer the high resolution you’d get from some higher-end tablets. TCL could have done a better job integrating higher resolution options than the rear-facing 8MP and front-facing 5MP and 13MP cameras. This is my biggest complaint about the TCL NXTPaper 14.
What I found to be the most interesting — and potentially most useful — aspect of the tablet is the 3-in-1 display that, with the press of a button, can adapt nicely to the applications that are running. Most traditional tablets offer what the NXTPaper 14 calls its Regular Mode. This allows graphics, photos, and video to be displayed using bright and vivid color, with excellent color accuracy, a decent refresh rate, and plenty of detail.
The Color Paper Mode and Ink Mode perform differently. Just like the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, for example, Color Mode on this tablet replicates a full-color e-ink display. This mode is perfect for reading text-based documents or content that also incorporates some color. When reviewing and annotating a PDF file, a yellow virtual highlighter can be used to make important words or passages stand out, while a red or blue virtual ball point pen can be used to handwrite notes or add annotations to a document. You can also sign a document using the stylus to add your signature.
While the colors displayed when using Color Paper Mode are more matted and less vibrant, this setting greatly reduces eye strain and on-screen glare. It also extends battery life. Meanwhile, when switched into Ink Mode, the display nicely replicates a grayscale e-ink display, just like you’d find in any dedicated ebook reader. This mode lacks color, but also greatly reduces glare. It provides a more paper-like writing and reading surface.
Regular Mode has the same issues with visibility in direct sunlight or bright indoor lighting as most traditional tablets. The big benefit of the Color Paper Mode or Ink Mode is that whatever is displayed can be seen clearly in almost any lighting situation, from a dark room to direct sunlight. Whichever viewing mode is used, the brightness can be manually adjusted. And, if the tablet senses unhealthy viewing habits, it generates an alert and recommends better view settings.
Who Will the TCL NXTPaper 14 Appeal To?
The TCL NXTPaper 14 is suitable for business people who want to be productive on the go, but don’t want to carry around a laptop. Like any Android tablet, it can’t do everything a laptop can, but it’s certainly versatile and nicely equipped to handle many tasks. This is also a great tablet option for students. Plus, I’d recommend it to avid readers and notetakers, since for these tasks, the Color Paper Mode and Ink Modes (in conjunction with appropriate apps) handle these tasks very well.
When you consider the price of the reMarkable Paper Pro ($629) or Kindle Scribe Colorsoft ($629), the TCL NXTPaper 14 can handle the same tasks, but for a lower price. However, for someone looking for a compact e-reader or lightweight and easy-to-carry tablet, there are smaller and lighter options available that rely on a more traditional display.
Working with the TCL NXTPaper 14 Tablet
When I tested the tablet by using it as an e-reader, I was able to download and install the Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Libby apps from the Google Play Store. Doing this allowed me to use my existing accounts to purchase and read ebooks using the ecosystem and proprietary ebook file types of each platform. Likewise, I easily installed all of my favorite video streaming apps (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and AppleTV), so the tablet allowed me to stream and download/view all of my favorite shows and movies.
Between the quality of the Regular Display mode and the quad speaker system, video content looked better than it does on most tablets, mainly due to the larger display size. The speakers did a nice job playing audiobooks and podcasts via the Audible app, and making the audio associated with video calls sound clear.
The graphics, sound, and overall response of both Android games downloaded and installed onto the tablet, and online games I played, performed well enough to meet the needs of casual gamers. When I began working with work-related and personal productivity apps, like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, and Google Sheets, all performed nicely and were able to take advantage of the larger display to showcase more information. Plus, while working with these and other apps, the multitasking capabilities offered by the tablet came in handy and worked as expected. There’s a split-screen and floating window multitasking mode available.
I’ve mentioned several times that the 14.3-inch display is wonderful for showcasing plenty of content on the screen. However, this also makes the tablet as a whole larger and heavier than most. This makes it less comfortable to hold in one’s hands for extended periods. It also requires more storage space in a backpack, briefcase, or shoulderbag when it’s being transported. On the plus side, the NXTPaper 14 is as thin as most tablets, but the optional Flip Case or Keyboard Case increases the device’s thickness a bit. However, the tablet is easier and lighter to carry than a typical laptop.
My Final Thoughts: Is the TCL NXTPaper 14 Tablet Worth It?
As a general purpose Android tablet, the TCL NXTPaper 14 exceeded my expectations in terms of its performance and quality. It provides excellent overall value. I also quickly became a fan of the 3-in-1 display, and how easy it is to switch between viewing modes. Plus, the larger display makes typing on the tablet’s virtual keyboard easier than on most tablets, mainly because it’s larger and offers a quick response to touches and taps.
If you’re looking to use the TCL NXTPaper 14 as a well-rounded entertainment device — for streaming video, audio, or music, reading ebooks, or gaming, for example — you won’t be disappointed. It also does well as a work-related tool when using many preinstalled and optional applications. I really love the integration of Google Gemini AI tools and features into the Android operating system and the various Google apps and services, especially the Chrome web browser, Gmail, Google Photos, and the Google Workplace apps.
For content creators, the NXTPaper 14 can work nicely for editing video, photos, or audio, but I’d use other devices (such as a higher-end camera and better quality microphone) for capturing the actual content. For those who simply want to enjoy their favorite social media feeds (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), this tablet does a wonderful job showcasing that content when it’s used in Regular Mode, in conjunction with the official Android app for each specific social media service.
TCL NXTPaper 14 Android Tablet
Overall, I recommend the NXTPaper 14 tablet as a good option for most people, especially those who are more tech-savvy and will want to delve into the personalization, security, and privacy features offered by the tablet itself and the Android operating system. Priced at just $370 (with Amazon instant coupon), this tablet’s price is very alluring based on the performance it offers.
Finally, I was pleasantly surprised by how long the rechargeable battery lasts between charges, although this does vary based on how the tablet is being used. The fact that the tablet is also IP54 rated for water resistance is another added perk.
