TCL launches four TAB A1 tablets at IFA 2026: 11" and 12.2" screens, NxtPaper display option, Android 16
TCL used IFA 2026 in Berlin to announce four new tablets under the TAB A1 name — two screen sizes, each available with a standard LCD or the company's anti-glare NxtPaper display. US pricing starts at $189.99 for the 11-inch model and $299 for the 12.2-inch Plus; European pricing for NxtPaper variants runs €270–€360, per GSMArena. UK pricing has not been confirmed yet — TCL says it will announce details market by market.
The lineup
The four models are the TAB A1, TAB A1 NxtPaper, TAB A1 Plus, and TAB A1 Plus NxtPaper, according to PRNewswire IFA 2026 official. All run Android 16 with Google services and TCL's own productivity tools.
The 11-inch pair has a 2.1K display at 90Hz and a 6.2mm-thin body. The 12.2-inch Plus models step up to a 2.4K panel at 120Hz with a 3:2 aspect ratio — a format better suited to documents and split-screen multitasking than a standard 16:10 tablet.
The 11-inch TCL TAB A1 and TAB A1 NxtPaper.
The NxtPaper difference
NxtPaper is TCL's answer to eye strain for people who read or study for long stretches. The coating cuts glare and reflections, and the display includes hardware-level blue light reduction — no software filter required.
NxtPaper display modes on the TAB A1 series.
The TAB A1 Plus NxtPaper goes furthest: a dedicated button on the frame cycles through three display modes. Standard Mode is normal color. Color Paper Mode softens the image to mimic printed material. Ink Paper Mode switches the whole interface to grayscale, close to an e-ink feel on a regular LCD. Configurable gestures let you launch apps, AI tools, or NxtPaper settings. The Plus also supports the T-Pen stylus with 8,192 pressure levels.
The 12.2-inch TCL TAB A1 Plus and TAB A1 Plus NxtPaper.
Where it fits
In the US, the 11-inch Tab A1 undercuts the 9th-gen iPad (from $329) and sits above the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 range. The NxtPaper angle is the clearest differentiator: neither Apple nor Amazon's Kindle line offers a tablet that switches between color and grayscale reading modes on demand.
TCL TAB A1 Plus NxtPaper display mode switcher.
Outside the US, TCL has confirmed a European rollout but not release dates or prices for standard (non-NxtPaper) models. UK availability through Currys, Amazon UK, or other retailers has not been announced. If you're in the US, the 11-inch models are available now; Plus variants are launching now at $299 and up.
