TCL Nxtpaper 14 review: Textured display dynamics

TCL has been slowly introducing its Nxtpaper vary of gadgets over the previous few of years, with distinctive screens that may swap between the usual show you’d discover on different tablets, to a black and white e-ink fashion mode that appears extra akin to an eReader.

The Nxtpaper 14 is the most recent on this vary, however does the entire package deal make it one that would mix two gadgets into one?

Design & Construct

• Widescreen format
• 6.95mm thick
• IP54 ranking

Tablets appear to now fall into two fundamental kinds – the big, widescreen format that’s nice for consuming content material and doubling as a makeshift laptop computer while you join a keyboard – such because the Google Pixel Pill and the Huawei MatePad Professional 12.2 – and the extra compact ones that can be utilized simply for studying, taking notes, browsing the online and watching a little bit of streamed content material just like the iPad Mini or Samsung Galaxy Tab A9.

The TCL Nxtpaper 14 falls firmly within the former class, with its 14.3-inch show requiring a large body round it. Fortunately, the bezels are moderately skinny, so the size are available at 322.4 x 222 x 6.95mm with a weight of 760g.

Whereas that makes it lighter than some huge tablets, the Nxtpaper 14 isn’t one you’re going to need to maintain for too lengthy, particularly in case you rotate the widescreen format into portrait orientation the place it feels too massive and unwieldy.

Sat in a holder or in your lap it’s tremendous for a little bit of cosy Netflix bingeing or taking part in a sport. Alternatively, you can purchase the devoted stand or flip case from TCL and pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard to make it into an ersatz laptop computer 

TCL doesn’t specify the supplies of the casing, simply that it has a ‘metallic’ design. To my palms that chassis feels sturdy prefer it’s steel, however the again panel is almost definitely plastic (or very skinny steel) as a fast few faucets make it sound fairly hole. 

Alongside the highest edge, there are 4 buttons – energy, quantity up/down, and the shiny Nxtpaper key (extra on that later). These are accompanied on the opposite sides by 4 audio system (two on both finish), twin microphones, and a USB-C charging port (which additionally presents reverse altering on your different gadgets). 

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A central round digital camera bump on the rear truly prevents the pill from wobbling when on a desk and even sits it up barely, however it does get in the way in which while you maintain the pill in portrait mode.

The Nxtpaper 14 comes with an IP54 ranking, which implies it could actually put up with some dusty rooms and the odd splash of water, however it gained’t survive being immersed. 

Display screen & Audio system

• 14.3-inch 2.4K show
• Nxtpaper 3.0
• A number of show modes
• Quad audio system

One of many fundamental options of the Nxtpaper 14 is the show. TCL makes use of its Nxtpaper know-how to create a panel that may exist in three totally different modes. The Common mode is what you’d anticipate, full-colour, normal pill stuff.

Then there’s Color Paper mode, which (because the identify suggests) seems like a newspaper or comedian with muted colors. Then there’s the Ink Paper mode which emulates an e-ink show as you may discover on a Kindle or different e-reader. 

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There’s additionally a matt end on the panel, which is there to cut back reflections and glare, whereas additionally giving a texture that feels extra akin to paper. This does an honest job of this, however it does imply that the colors (even within the Normal mode) are subdued and never as vibrant as on a shiny display screen. 

You possibly can simply swap between the three modes by tapping the Nextpaper button after which deciding on the mode from the menu that seems. As I stated, in Normal mode you get a fairly acquainted pill expertise, albeit a barely extra hazy model.

The 2400 x 1600 decision and three:2 side ratio ship a 236ppi, solely a bit of decrease than the 264ppi of the usual iPad (tenth gen) which is in an analogous value bracket. Similar to that mannequin, there’s additionally a 60Hz refresh fee so scrolling can get a bit of jagged at occasions, however it’s actually not the tip of the world. 

Switching to the Color Paper mode drains the vibrancy from the picture, whereas additionally decreasing the color temperature. In case your eyes are feeling drained, then this might truly assist, as I shortly obtained used to the softer hues. It actually comes into its personal when studying digital comics although, because it does look near the paper variations.  

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The Ink Paper is black and white, which resembles a few of the new dumb/minimalist telephones that we’ve seen popping out just lately. As a pill, it’s a bit of bizarre on this mode, however as an e-book reader, it really works very properly.

Nonetheless, it’s hampered on this method, as the dimensions of the Nxtpaper 14 makes it too uncomfortable to maintain in a portrait orientation. So, so long as you’re pleased to learn in panorama mode, then a stand will make issues extra comfy. You possibly can after all use the pill as regular in any mode, and the quick switching capacity does make it a flexible gadget.

I needed to check out a stylus on the paper-like floor, however sadly not one of the ones I had in my assortment had been suitable. This isn’t a problem for the TCL, simply that I normally use an iPad and found that none of my stylus assortment works on Android. Should repair that. 

Brightness isn’t the perfect, with the panel maxing out at round 400 nits, which is okay for indoors however a little bit of a problem in sunshine. Sure, you keep away from the reflections, however the display screen nonetheless washes out when sturdy gentle hits it. The viewing angles additionally develop into worse when a robust gentle supply is round. 

Sound is supplied via 4 audio system (two on every of the shorter edges), and for probably the most half, they do a strong job. The definition is crisp, frequency stability is first rate, and in case you don’t anticipate an excessive amount of in the way in which of bass then it’s a great way to take pleasure in a little bit of streaming or have accompaniment on your gaming. 

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As with all trendy gadgets, you may as well use the Bluetooth connection to connect wi-fi audio system or headphones, however the Bluetooth 5.0 normal included is on the decrease finish lately.

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack although, so a wired connection isn’t accessible until you could have USB-C headphones. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Helios G99 processor
• 8GB RAM (+8 digital RAM)
• 256GB inner storage

The processor contained in the Nxtpaper 14 is a reasonably normal low to mid-range providing. The MediaTek Helios G99 is one which additionally options within the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9, and delivers a reliable degree of efficiency.

It’s not too dissimilar to the Snapdragon 695 and means you need to use the Nxtpaper 14 for common duties with out sluggishness or time ready for apps to open. 

It may deal with video games like Asphalt Legends or gentler fare like Stardew Valley fairly fortunately, however the dimension of the gadget makes it tough to carry for any size of time, so that you’d be higher off utilizing a Bluetooth controller if you wish to play for lengthy periods. 

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Efficiency is helped by the 8GB of reminiscence, which will be prolonged considerably via 8GB of digital RAM. This doesn’t eat too far into the onboard storage, as TCL equips the Nxtpaper 14 with a beneficiant 256GB. That’s good, as there is no such thing as a possibility to make use of a microSD card to increase its capability.

The same old benchmark testing apps we use encountered some issues although. Geekbench 6 and PCMark each labored tremendous, however the GFXBenchmark app couldn’t connect with the server. After attempting numerous community connections and even putting in a special model of the app, I had no success getting it to work, so there should be some sort of compatibility challenge. 

See beneath for the (a lot lowered) outcomes of how the Nxtpaper 14 compares to a few of its rivals:

TCL Nxtpaper 14 benchmarks

Cameras

• 8Mp fundamental rear digital camera
• 13Mp selfie digital camera
• 5Mp secondary

The size of the Nxtpaper 14 do make it considerably comical to make use of as a digital camera, however TCL features a couple regardless.

The primary 8Mp is housed in a round bump on the rear of the pill, accompanied by a flash. It delivers fairly common to poor pictures total. Focus will be wayward, publicity is usually unbalanced, colors are boring, and the software program tends to over-sharpen. 

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Video tops out at 1080p/30fps and has the identical drawbacks because the nonetheless pictures. 

If you happen to’re cautious and have good gentle (or gentle and shadows) then it’s attainable to get an honest shot from time to time, however actually the cameras are greatest forgotten about.

The 13Mp selfie portraits are okay for the odd social media submit and maintaining with pals on video chats, plus it combines with the 5Mp to behave as a face unlock biometric scanner. It’s higher than the rear sensor, however actually you’ll solely need it for Zoom conferences or the occasional catchup. 

Listed here are a couple of examples of the cameras in motion:

Battery Life & Charging

• 10,000mAh battery
• As much as 33W quick charging
• Reverse charging

With that enormous 14-inch panel on board, there’s a good quantity of vitality drain getting used to energy it. Fortunately, TCL hasn’t skimped on the cell, because the Nxtpaper 14 comes with a capacious 10,000mAh battery. You additionally get a 33W charger and cable within the field, which makes for a pleasant shock lately. 

Typically use, the pill fortunately lasted all day with my browsing the online, streaming some content material from Netflix and YouTube, plus even a little bit of gaming, leaving me with nonetheless sufficient energy to keep away from seeing the Battery Saver possibility seem. 

Placing the Nxtpaper 14 via our normal PCMark battery check returned a results of 7 hours and 44 minutes, which is strong and bests the likes of the usual iPad (2022), though it does lag miles behind the Google Pixel Pill that racked up an incredible 14 hours and 19 minutes. 

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Utilizing the equipped charger took the gadget from 0% to 17% in quarter-hour, 33% by the half-hour mark, and a full recharge was accomplished in simply over 1 hour and 45 minutes. Not too dangerous contemplating the big cell that must be replenished. 

As a pleasant bonus, the Nxtpaper 14 additionally has the power to make use of reverse charging, so you possibly can plug in your telephone or different gadget that wants a top-up and the pill will act as a makeshift energy financial institution.

Clearly, this may drain the battery, however it’s a welcome possibility.

Software program & Apps

• Android 14
• TCL UI is unobtrusive
• Safety updates for 3 years

Android 14 is the order of the day on the Nxtpaper 14, with not an excessive amount of in the way in which of bloatware onboard. You do get a couple of regular culprits like Reserving.com, however they’ll shortly be deleted to wash issues up. 

TCL UI in all fairness clear too, leaving Android alone for probably the most half. Apps open and shut easily, though there have been a couple of hesitations right here and there and interacting with some widgets on the Residence display screen noticed noticeable delays. 

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You get a wealth of settings choices, with the NXTVISION part permitting you to tailor the show brightness and color temperature to make it simpler on the attention when studying or staring on the panel for a very long time. 

TCL guarantees just one Android model replace, which is a bit disappointing, however there are at the very least three years of safety updates. Which means that after that point, you gained’t actually be suggested to proceed utilizing the gadget because it could possibly be weak to viruses and different assaults. So, bear that in thoughts when contemplating this, as another tablets could have an extended lifespan than the Nxtpaper 14.  

Worth & Availability

You possibly can decide up the TCL Nxtpaper 14 for £399/€399 from retailers corresponding to Argos, and Amazon UK has it accessible for £334.99 together with a case and stylus. Sadly for US prospects, the gadget isn’t supposed to launch in that territory.

At this value, the primary rivals are the Google Pixel Pill, which now retails for £399 on the Google Retailer (frequently accessible at £299 at many retailers), though that’s for the 128GB model and clearly there’s no paper-like overlaying on the panel.

One other nice possibility is the Xiaomi Pad 6, with its wonderful 144Hz 11-inch show and price of £369, which is usually closely discounted by promotions. You possibly can take a look at our information to the perfect Android tablets for extra suggestions.

See our listing of the perfect tablets to see our prime ranked choices. 

Do you have to purchase the TCL Nxtpaper 14?

The Nxtpaper 14 has some good options going for it. The show is simple to learn and the particular coating makes it straightforward on the attention.

256GB of storage is a really respectable capability if you wish to watch motion pictures or play video games without having an web connection.

Its fundamental challenge although is the value. At £399/€399 the gadget is up in opposition to some actual heavy hitters, with the Google Pixel Pill being the elephant within the room.

If you will discover the Nxtpaper 14 on low cost deal, then it’s value your consideration, however at full value, it sits a bit of too near the large weapons in case your coronary heart isn’t set on the show tech. 

Specs

• Android 14
• 14.3-inch 2.4k show, 3:2 ratio, with Nxtpaper 3.0
• As much as 60Hz refresh fee
• A number of show modes
• Quad audio system
• MediaTek Helios G99
• 8GB RAM (+8GB Digital RAM)
• 256GB Storage 
• 8Mp fundamental rear digital camera
• 13Mp selfie digital camera
• 5Mp secondary
• Bluetooth 5.0
• WiFi 5
• USB-C
• 10,000mAh battery
• As much as 33W quick charging
• Reverse charging
• 322.4 x 222 x 6.95mm
• 760g