u/2Jimbuktu

Hey folks,

Picked up the new TCL Tab A1 Nxtpaper 12.2 and am providing some quick thoughts as compared to the 11 Plus Nxtpaper.

Some differences that the Tab A1 has:

Display texture looks and feels a little less matte than the 11 plus (maybe older generation screen?) I definitely prefer the 11 Plus screen though the images don't show the difference as well.
Display controls are different. I'm not able to tune the Regular Mode to be more like color-paper which is my preference (based on u/Romano1404's in-depth post about the Display Modes). The system settings menu is totally different and there is no 'classic eye protection mode'
There is a 'color temperature' control that can be used only when the device is in Color Paper or Ink Paper mode. This allows you to add a bit more sepia/yellow tone. (See photos)
There's no percentage that shows in the brightness slider of the Quick Settings pull down panel, and as far as I can tell I'm not able to just select auto brightness from that same slider like I could on the 11 Plus. This could be an Android 16 change, but an unwelcome one (for me at least.)
I do prefer the writing experience with the T-Pen v2 soft nib. It's still not like a kindle scribe or remarkable, but no more tapping sounds on the screen and just a little bit more friction
The T-Pen v2 feels more plastic-like and has a matte finish (see photos). It also feels lighter though I didn't weigh them. It makes the 11 Plus pen feel 'premium' in comparison, but, the v2 pen works well enough EXCEPT the next bullet point which is a major issue for me...
The T-Pen v2 does NOT WORK in r/Noteshelf3. After much fussing about and playing with settings I discovered that the pen connects and works fine on the tablet and other note-taking apps but simply refuses to work properly in Noteshelf 3. I've sent the developer a support request. That app is my main tool on this device so if that's not fixed this is not a sustainable device for me.
It's running Android 16
The included case is identical to the 11 plus but a bit thicker and perhaps more robust and heavier
When first setting up the tablet I could not bypass the TCL Privacy Agreement like on the 11 Plus, therefore had to 'agree' in order to use the tablet. After investigating their 'privacy policy' thoroughly, you are basically giving them permission to collect whatever they want on you, which includes a lot of detail, as well as sell it, etc. This has given me GREAT PAUSE for using these tablets. Your opinion on this may vary.

Those are some of the key takeaways for me as of day 2 with the device. It is a handsome machine and is a nearly identical, but larger, version of the 11 Plus (except for the display tech and software, pen and pen tip options, and the expandable storage).

I apologize for the sloppy handwriting in the photos. That was using an iPad with no paper-like screen protector (haha).

Just wanted to provide some info for folks interested in the 11 plus for a writing tablet.

I've had this for about a month now and love the screen. It's way easier on my eyes than my M3 iPad Air, and the Nxtpaper screen options are fun (if not gimmicky). Its use for me is purely as a note-taking and reading device. It's my android version of a mashup between a Kindle Scribe and Remarkable Paper Pro (with major differences, obviously). That being said, it's been working great. I use Noteshelf 3, O launcher, Google Drive, Kindle, and Webtoons. This combo has made this a totally budget-friendly-option writing and reading tablet.

My biggest concern was finding replacement nibs as I tried several 'compatible' USI 2 pens from Amazon but none worked consistently. I did find a post on reddit that the TCL pens are rebranded Ugee UT2 and UT3 (311A) pens. Well, after going to the Ugee website I successfully ordered replacement nibs... and they work!

A couple of things to note:

This is nothing like writing on paper (like a Remarkable or Kindle Scribe), however, I find the pen accurate and smooth. I've adapted and my handwriting looks fine (as messy as it is).
There will be the tap of the stylus on the glass screen
Battery life is good but not compared to e-ink tablets. I will easily get a full day to 1.5 days of use on a single charge. I think this is mostly because my screen brightness is nearly always below 10%. Actually more like 3-5%, but I can see the screen perfectly fine. It's that good.
It's android, so there's that. It probably won't get any security updates.
TCL really didn't add much bloat. I removed nearly everything I possibly could (TCL AI Tools, multiple google apps, and everything I'll never use). Goal was to make this a focused, writing-only tablet with access to google drive for loading PDFs, etc.
I ordered the version with the folio and pen. The tablet itself is not magnetic, so if you don't get the folio, the pen won't magnetically attach anywhere.
You have to manually activate the pen by hitting the button before it will write. But there's no delay in connection.
I have read on Reddit that there are angle-issues with the pen so maybe not great for drawing. For me, writing in portrait mode, it's been fine.
Pen has lasted for a least a week at a time on a charge. I've had to charge it twice over a 5 week-ish period. Unfortunately, there's no way to check battery life through the tablet. The pen will flash red (instead of blue) if it needs a charge.

If you're interested in the nibs, I did find them on the Ugee website (https://shop.ugee.com/products/ugee-pen-nibs). The nib sku # is UGEPL-311-4. I thought they were crazy pricey at $15 for 1 nib, but ordered anyway. Turns out you get 1 package with 4 nibs in it for $15. Still pricey for a nib, but within 1 month of use I've seen almost no wear, so I'm hopeful these will last a long time.

Anyone else used the TCL Nxtpaper 11 plus this way? What has your experience been?

BTW, that's the Home Screen, not lock-screen on my tablet with O-launcher. I literally have nothing on it. Swipe Right to access Noteshelf 3, swipe left to access Google Drive, tap the time to open Chrome Browser, use the pull-out slider (on left for everything else -- settings, Kindle, etc.)

TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus, TCL T-Pen, and Ugee Nibs

Quick look at Tab A1 Nxtpaper 12.2 vs 11 Plus Nxtpaper