TCL is taking aim at the Kindle Scribe with the launch of the Note A1 Nxtpaper, a large E-reader that blends a paper-like display with AI-powered productivity tools.
While Amazon’s Scribe focuses squarely on distraction-free reading and handwriting, TCL’s approach leans closer to a digital notebook for work, study, and creative use.
At the heart of the device is NXTPAPER Pure, TCL’s latest evolution of its eye-friendly display tech. Unlike traditional E Ink panels, the 120Hz screen supports full colour while promising reduced eye strain thanks to TÜV-certified eye comfort and extremely low blue light levels.
The result is a more tablet-like experience that still aims to replicate the texture and resistance of real paper, something TCL says makes long reading and writing sessions easier on the eyes.
Writing is handled by the T-Pen Pro stylus, which offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and sub-5ms latency.
TCL claims this delivers a “pencil-like” feel, positioning the Note A1 as a serious tool for handwritten notes, sketching, and annotation rather than just casual scribbling. That puts it in direct competition with the Kindle Scribe, which has steadily improved its writing features but remains more limited in scope.
Where TCL really tries to differentiate itself is with integrated AI tools. The Note A1 includes handwriting-to-text conversion, real-time transcription and translation, automated summaries, and writing assistance features designed to refine and reorganise notes.
It also introduces an “Inspiration Space” for collecting and structuring ideas, features that push the device beyond simple note-taking and closer to a lightweight productivity hub.
The hardware backs that ambition up. An 8,000mAh battery, slim 5.5mm aluminium body, and optional keyboard case suggest TCL sees this as something you might use instead of, not alongside, a laptop for certain tasks. At 500g, it’s still portable enough to slip into a bag, especially compared to bulkier tablets.
With early units available through Kickstarter soon for $419, TCL is clearly testing appetite for a device that sits somewhere between an e-reader and a tablet.
For users who like the Kindle Scribe’s writing experience but want colour, speed, and smarter tools, the Note A1 NXTPAPER could be a compelling alternative, and a sign that the paper-like tablet space is heating up fast.
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