TCL’s NXTPAPER tech has always been one of those display innovations you really have to see to believe. Instead of just a matte finish slapped on an LCD, it’s a custom panel designed to reduce glare, mimic paper-like texture, and cut back on eye strain. Until now, though, the company has stubbornly refused to put it in a compact device. As 9to5Google reports, that finally looks set to change.
A different kind of tablet screen
Slightly less versatile, far more comfortable
A leak from Evan Blass has revealed the TCL Tab 8 NXTPAPER 5G, an 8-inch tablet headed to Verizon. The imagery shows off a pretty straightforward slate design, complete with a USB-C port, SIM and microSD tray, dual microphones, stereo speakers, and a headphone jack (a unicorn in 2025). TCL’s signature NXTPAPER key is also present, letting users toggle the screen mode on demand.
If that sounds boring, that’s because it kind of is — and that’s the point. TCL has already proven novel display tech on phones like the 50 XE NXTPAPER 5G and on larger tablets. What’s been missing is a smaller, more portable option, something closer to a paperback than a coffee table book. The Tab 8 could fill that void. Plus, given TCL’s penchant for relatively affordable hardware (and the likelihood of Verizon carrier deals), the compact tablet shouldn’t hit your wallet too hard.
The elephant in the room is, unsurprisingly, performance. Last year’s Tab 10 NXTPAPER 5G looked great but was kneecapped by its sluggish chipset, a problem we called out in its review. TCL has consistently treated NXTPAPER hardware as budget-tier, and while that might keep costs down, it undermines the lineup’s potential somewhat. Compact, capable Android tablets are finally seeing a renaissance — just look at Lenovo’s latest Tab Plus or Samsung’s Tab A9+ — so there’s little excuse for TCL to keep cutting corners.
Still, if the NXTPAPER 8 can deliver reasonable performance with Verizon’s 5G connectivity, it could be the sweet spot for commuters, students, or anyone who prefers their screens easy on the eyes. There’s no release date or pricing yet, but given the leak’s level of detail, an official announcement is probably in the cards soon.
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- Storage
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128GB, up to 2TB MicroSD
- Operating System
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Android 14
- Battery
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6000mAh
- Ports
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USB-C
- Display type
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NXTPAPER, nano-etched
- Colors
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Dark Blue
The TCL Tab 10 NXTPAPER 5G has a unique nano-etched NXTPAPER 3.0 technology that reduces eye strain and also feels like paper when scribbling with a stylus. With 5G connectivity, you can watch, game, and work on the go. Even the battery life is impressive, and at 10 inches it’s essentially the perfect size.
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- SoC
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MediaTek MT6835
- RAM
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4GB
- Storage
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128GB, microSD
- Battery
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5010 mAh
- Ports
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USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone audio jack
- Operating System
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Android 14
The TCL 50 XE NXTPAPER 5G packs a lot of features for a very affordable price. Three rear cameras, a 90Hz screen, and interesting screen modes make this a compelling option for budget phone seekers.
