Hands On With TCL's New Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G 

If you're looking for an affordable tablet that you can read in bright outside light that won't cost too much, check out TCL's Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G.

It's similar to a regular iPad in screen size, though the ratio is taller (or wider, depending on how you hold it) than an iPad at 9.69 x 6.14 x .31 inches.

It has a dark blue plastic back, which likely helps keep it light (the Tab 10 comes in at a friendly 16.93 ounces), and a single "AI Camera" lens on the back, just above a little LCD flash. Both front and rear cameras shoot at 8MP, which means not the best photos, but they'll do in a pinch.

The tablet runs a 2.2GHz Quad-core processor with 6GB RAM and 128 GB of storage, expandable via SD card up to 1 TB, all powered by a 6000mAh battery that TCL claims can charge in 3.2 hours and last up to 50 days on standby. I've mostly used the tablet for gaming, watching Netflix, and reading e-books, which means the battery lasts several days before needing a refresh. The tablet runs Android 14 and includes an accelerometer, gyro, and light sensor, and you can unlock it via your face, a PIN, pattern, or password.

The screen is 2000 x 1200 resolution, which makes everything look great at the 10.4-inch size, whether you're checking out the latest Scavenger's Reign episode or reading Charlie Jane Ander's biographical writing advice book. Never Say You Can't Survive.

Unfortunately, the tablet isn't water resistant, so you'll likely want to keep it away from the pool or the beach.

The Tab 10 Is Always Connected

All of which is well and good, right, since this is what we expect of our tablets these days. What sets this one apart, however, is the inclusion of a 5G radio and the unique matte finish on the screen (plus the e-ink visual styles. you can apply in the settings).

For $239, you're getting a tablet that can be online wherever you are, thanks to the inclusion of 5G. It's sold exclusively via Verizon at the time of this writing, and you can get it with an interest-free payment plan of only $6.66 a month for 36 months. Of course, you'll need to add the 5G plan to the tablet to use it.

What that means, though, is that you're always connected. Whether you're in range of a solid Wi-Fi signal (the Tab 10 can access 802.11 a/b/g/b/ac with two-channel 2.4GHx and 5GHz for 802.11n) or just cell service, you'll never have to worry about being able to hop on social media, connect online for a gaming session, or chill out with some YouTube videos.

That Screen, Though

That's great, but what I really enjoy is the matte screen, which helps reduce glare outside in bright sunlight. It's not as accessible as an e-ink screen (like on the Glowlight 4 or Kobo Clara Colour), but it's definitely better than a typical glossy iPad or Android tablet. I can take this out and about, on a picnic or hike, and know that I can at least see the content when I want to.

There are also two little e-ink visual styles you can put the Tab 10 into, as well, called Nxtpaper Zone. They're accessible in the swipe-down settings menu on the device. You can set it to Color Paper mode, which reduces saturation to mimic a color e-ink device like the Clara Colour. You can also set it to Ink Paper, which makes everything black and white, an approximation of a Kindle Paperwhite or similar e-reader.

Yes, it's a gimmick, but it's a good one, and I find myself dropping into Color Paper mode when I'm reading an e-book. I get the muted color of an e-ink device for looking at book covers and illustrations inside, and the look and feel of an e-reader that I can flip to Regular mode to read comics or watch movies.

Is the Nxtpaper Tab 10 5G Worth It?

At $239 at Verizon with an easy no-interest payment plan option, fast 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, expandable memory, and a dependable screen that's easier to use in bright sunlight than most glossy tablet screens, I'd say the Nxtpaper Tab 10 5G is utterly worth it, even with the lack of water resistance.

For playing games, watching video, and reading e-books (and comics), TCL's Tab 10 is a worthwhile everyday device that can slip into a bag easily and keep you entertained wherever you go.