TCL just fired a shot across Amazon's bow with the Tab 8 Nxtpaper, a $200 Android tablet that's gunning for the e-reader market. Available exclusively through Verizon, it undercuts the $280 Kindle Colorsoft while offering full Android functionality and superior color reproduction. The 8.7-inch device could reshape how we think about digital reading.
TCL is making a play for your nightstand with the Tab 8 Nxtpaper, and the timing couldn't be better. While Amazon celebrates the lukewarm reception of its $280 Kindle Colorsoft, TCL's sliding in with a $200 alternative that doesn't just match the reading experience - it explodes past it.
The Tab 8 hits Verizon stores today as an exclusive, with Total Wireless distribution coming soon. That $200 price point isn't accidental - it's a direct challenge to Amazon's e-reader dominance, offering something the Kindle can't: full Android 15 functionality with access to every app you actually want to use.
"This sits in a sweet spot that could make it a tempting alternative to color screen e-readers," according to The Verge's initial coverage. The 8.7-inch screen slots perfectly between TCL's existing 6.8-inch and 14-inch Nxtpaper devices, creating what feels like the tablet equivalent of the Goldilocks zone.
TCL's secret weapon isn't just pricing - it's Nxtpaper 4.0 technology. Unlike Amazon's E Ink displays that max out at 4,000 colors, the Tab 8 uses an upgraded LCD panel with full color reproduction. The glass screen gets etched with microscopic patterns that create a matte finish, cutting glare while maintaining sharpness - something traditional matte displays struggle with.
The eye-strain reduction comes from smart engineering rather than marketing fluff. The display actively reduces blue light emission and eliminates the flickering that LED backlights typically produce at lower brightness levels. Users can toggle between full color, monochromatic black-and-white mode, and a warmer reading mode - flexibility that makes the Kindle look increasingly one-dimensional.
But here's where TCL's strategy gets interesting: they're not just targeting e-reader users. The Tab 8 packs 5G connectivity, dual cameras (8MP rear, 5MP front), stereo speakers, and a 6,000mAh battery rated for 16 hours of use. That's nowhere near the Kindle's eight-week standby time, but it's also powering a device that can stream Netflix, run productivity apps, and handle video calls.
