TCL
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- TCL just released the new Tab 8 Nxtpaper 5G, available for $200.
- This is the first compact Android tablet with Nxtpaper technology, making it a great substitute for e-readers.
- The tablet runs Android 15 and is currently a Verizon exclusive, though it is planned to come to Total Wireless later.
My TCL Tab 11 Nxtpaper is one of my favorite devices. It can replace my Kindle and a base model iPad on the go. One of its very few downsides, however, is its size, which makes it much bigger and heavier than my Kindle. The new TCL Tab 8 Nxtpaper 5G is here to change that.
This is the first compact Android tablet to feature Nxtpaper tech, which is a proprietary TCL innovation. Nxtpaper lets users switch from its regular full-color mode to Color Ink Paper or Ink Paper mode with the press of a button.
Also: The tablet that easily replaced my Kindle and iPad now has a worthy successor
The tablet’s Regular Mode displays full color images on a matte, glare-free display. Its Color Ink Paper mode is a good option to read comic books, graphic novels, or simply give your eyes a rest, while the black and white Ink Paper option is best suited to read longer books like you would on your e-reader.
The tablet functions like any other in each of its display modes, however, so you can still stream YouTube or browse social media in Ink Paper mode. This lets you enjoy the full scope of an Android tablet with all your favorite apps without having to compromise on the e-reader experience.
Also: This 9-inch tablet singlehandedly changed my mind about gaming on Android
The new TCL Tab 8 features an 8.7-inch Nxtpaper 4.0 display designed for eye comfort. DC dimming and reduced blue light strive to prevent eye strain. The screen’s matte finish also makes it easier to view the tablet in different types of lighting without straining.
Running on Android 15, the compact tablet features a 6,000mAh battery, an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with a microSD card.
Like the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G from last year, the TCL Tab 8 will be sold exclusively at Verizon for $200, though TCL plans to make it available later through Verizon-owned Total Wireless.
