This Tablet Outshines Kindle and iPad in Hours, Now on Sale

The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G's display is a game-changer, especially for those of us who enjoy reading on the go. The lack of a backlight and the frosted finish on the screen work wonders in reducing glare and reflections. Not only does this make reading more enjoyable, but it also boosts energy efficiency and extends battery life. Thanks to TCL's Nxtpaper technology, which incorporates multiple anti-reflective and anti-glare layers, you can read your favorite novel comfortably, whether you're lounging at the beach or by the pool. The front light panel ensures the screen is evenly lit, making for a consistently pleasant reading experience.

By the way, if you're in the market for a new smartphone, don't miss out on the $200 Android at CES—it's the only one worth your attention!

E Ink, on the other hand, has traditionally stuck to black and white, with a slower refresh rate. While there are color E Ink displays out there, they don't quite match the vibrancy needed for multimedia content.

The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper isn't meant to be a high-end iPad replacement, but it's more than capable of stepping in for an e-reader and an older iPad model—like it did for me. As someone who doesn't need heavy-duty processing power, I use my tablet mainly for entertainment. Whether I'm streaming videos, catching up on the news, jotting down notes, following baseball scores, checking the weather, or playing games, this tablet handles it all smoothly.

I do some work on my tablet, but as a writer, all I really need is a keyboard and a dependable note-taking or word-processing app, both of which work seamlessly on this device.

When I first got my hands on the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G, I was blown away by its display versatility. It effortlessly switches between regular mode, color paper, and ink paper—the latter feeling just like an e-reader. The first app I downloaded? Kindle, of course. I was thrilled to see how it would perform as an e-reader, and it exceeded my expectations.

Switching from a six-year-old Kindle to this tablet was a revelation. The faster refresh rate and processor made navigating the Kindle app a breeze, all while maintaining that e-reader quality display.

The front camera on the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is smartly placed on the landscape edge, which I found quite handy.

After an hour of reading, I knew I'd found my new e-reader. I reset my old 10th-generation Kindle and set it up with Amazon Kids for my seven-year-old, who now reads more than ever. In just the first three days, she logged over four and a half hours of reading. She's been reading for years, but now she dedicates at least 40 minutes each night before bed, a significant increase from the 20 minutes she used to manage during the school week.

The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G has also taken over the duties of my regular iPad, both at home and while I'm out and about. As a parent, I spend hours on the sidelines during my kids' extracurricular activities, and this tablet has become my go-to device for killing time. Whether I'm working on a deadline in Docs, streaming on Netflix, scrolling through TikTok, or diving into a novel from Kindle Unlimited, it's all there in one convenient package.

Handing over my old iPad to my husband was a no-brainer once I set up the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G. While the Android experience is different from an iPad, I've found it to be smooth, with minimal bugs. I can work, play, use split-screen mode, and stream videos without a hitch.

ZDNET's Buying Advice

The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is a fantastic choice for everyday use. Priced at $239, it's not competing with high-end devices in terms of benchmarks, but it offers incredible value, especially for e-reader enthusiasts. If you're buying from Verizon, you can get up to $100 off, making it an even better deal.

You can grab the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G at Verizon for $239 prepaid or $6.66 monthly for 36 months. TCL also offers a T-Pen Stylus for $40, which I'm planning to purchase. Verizon plans start at $30 monthly, which might be on the pricier side. The data plan is ideal for those who use their tablet outside of Wi-Fi zones frequently.

I'm sticking with the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper, with or without a data plan, because I mostly use it around the house. If I need internet access on the go, I can always use my iPhone as a hotspot.

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This article was originally published on July 26, 2024, and was updated on April 4, 2025.