The tablet that replaced my iPad and Kindle got a worthy successor (and it’s just as cheap)

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I test a lot of tablets, and admittedly the design aspirations of many of these devices have fallen flat. It’s hard to get excited about a new tablet because most of its features are already available. It’s rare to find a truly innovative tablet that offers consumers something new.

enter the TCL NextPaper 11 Plus.

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I already liked this tablet’s previous model, the 10-inch Nxtpaper 10, but it was a Verizon exclusive that you couldn’t easily buy anywhere else. The Nxtpaper 11 Plus is an even better version of one of my favorite tablets, and it’s available here Walmart for $224 (tablets only) or Amazon for $269 (For tablet, stylus and case).

In addition to using the tablet’s Nxtpaper technology to switch from a full-color display to an ink-on-paper display, the tablet features 256GB of internal storage, an 11.5-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 8GB of expandable RAM.

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It’s sturdy enough to serve as an entertainment and lightweight tablet for most users, but it’s also perfect for converting or doubling as an e-reader.

The last time I tested the TCL Nextpaper tablet, I literally gave my iPad to my husband, realizing I no longer needed it. I also gave my Kindle to my kid the same day – that’s how well this tablet performed. So when I tell you I was thrilled with the excitement of trying out the new Nxtpaper 11 Plus, I’m not exaggerating.

This time, Nxtpaper 11 Plus also lived up to my expectations. As soon as I tried it, I could see how much the interface had improved. The display is beautiful and matte, making it perfect for use with the stylus if you want to purchase the stylus separately. And you can now switch to colored paper or ink paper mode by pressing a shortcut button on the side of the tablet instead of selecting an option in a dropdown menu.

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The display of the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus features Nxtpaper 4.0, which is an upgrade from the older Nxtpaper 2.0 on the company’s previous models. The vibrancy and clarity of the new display far exceeds that of the previous tablet, which didn’t look very sharp in its full color mode, especially when watching videos.

The only drawback of using the TCL NextPaper 11 Plus as an e-reader is that it is not a lightweight device. At 17.3 ounces (just over a pound), the tablet can feel heavy after a while of reading unless you prop it up or use a case. I got a hand strap so I could read more easily with the Nxtpaper 11 Plus, and it turned out to be a perfect solution.

Performance-wise, the TCL Nextpaper 11 Plus is fast and surprisingly reliable for such a cheap Android tablet, though I found the same to be the case with the previous model. There’s not a ton of bloatware when setup, and apps don’t randomly crash like other Android tablets I’ve tested.

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One of the big promises TCL makes with the Nextpaper 11 Plus is to reduce eye strain by filtering out 61% more blue light than a traditional tablet. You can also set a reading mode and enable adaptive brightness to further reduce the chance of eye fatigue.

I use my MacBook Pro and iPad every day for work, so I noticed a big difference when I used the TCL NextPaper 11 Plus instead of my iPad every night. By the end of the night, my eyes weren’t feeling any strain or fatigue, and my tension headache had also subsided, which is a big plus.

More than anything, I liked that when I was ready to start reading as part of my bedtime ritual, I could switch the mode from regular full-color to ink paper, instead of having to put my tablet away to pick up my Kindle.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

If you’re looking for a great entertainment tablet that can also function as an e-reader, you can’t go wrong with this one. TCL NextPaper 11 Plus. I love that I can use this tablet like my Kindle e-reader, especially because you get the fast performance of a regular tablet and the versatility of reading on any platform, not just the Kindle.

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This tablet is really worth every penny, thanks to its great performance and ease of use. It’s not a bad device by any means, as you often see with affordable Android tablets. It promises to be an entertainment tablet that’s easy on your eyes, and it delivers on every promise.

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