The sub-$250 tablet market is heating up, with the TCL NxtPaper 11 and Nokia T21 vying for dominance. Both offer large displays and Android experiences, but diverge significantly in their core hardware. The NxtPaper 11 prioritizes a unique paper-like display, while the Nokia T21 focuses on a more standard experience with faster charging capabilities. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia T21 emerges as the better choice. While the NxtPaper 11’s display is novel, the Nokia T21’s Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, coupled with PD3.0 charging, provides a smoother, more versatile experience for everyday tasks and a quicker return to usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 26 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 259 x 163.6 x 6.9 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.27 in) | 247.5 x 157.3 x 7.5 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 462 g (1.02 lb) | 466 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Splash resistant
Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~213 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.95 inches, 341.3 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | NCVM IPS | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, 100˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Wi-Fi/LTE model only / TA-1521) |
| Positioning | No | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Digital Lavender, Dark Gray | Charcoal Grey |
| Models | 9466X | TA-1495, TA-1521, TA-1505, TA-1487 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.56 W/kg (body) |
TCL NxtPaper 11
- Unique NxtPaper display reduces eye strain
- Paper-like texture ideal for reading
- Lightweight and portable design
- Older Mediatek Helio P60T chipset
- Less vibrant colors compared to IPS displays
- Potentially slower app loading times
Nokia T21
- More modern Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- PD3.0 charging for faster and more versatile charging
- Likely brighter and more colorful display
- Standard IPS display lacks the NxtPaper’s unique features
- May not be as comfortable for extended reading sessions
- Build quality may be slightly less premium
Display Comparison
Both tablets utilize 12nm process technology, but the display experience differs greatly. While specific nit counts aren't provided, the TCL NxtPaper 11’s defining feature is its NxtPaper display, designed to mimic the texture of paper, reducing eye strain. This comes at the cost of color vibrancy and peak brightness compared to a traditional IPS panel. The Nokia T21, likely employing a standard IPS LCD, will offer more vivid colors and potentially higher brightness, making it better suited for outdoor use or viewing HDR content. Bezels are likely comparable given the price point, and color accuracy data is unavailable for either device, suggesting neither is geared towards professional color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and detailed camera specs are unavailable. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups adequate for video calls and casual snapshots, but not for serious photography. Focusing on sensor size or aperture data is unlikely to yield meaningful differentiation at this price point. Image processing will likely be similar, prioritizing convenience over image quality.
Performance
The Nokia T21’s Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, with its 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, offers a slight architectural advantage over the TCL NxtPaper 11’s Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T. The P60T relies on older Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz. While clock speed isn’t everything, the A75 architecture generally provides better single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and smoother UI navigation. The Nokia T21’s 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores complement the A75s, potentially offering better sustained performance under load. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the Nokia T21 benefits from a more modern chipset design, translating to a more fluid user experience.
Battery Life
Both tablets feature 18W wired charging, but the Nokia T21 gains an edge with support for Power Delivery 3.0 (PD3.0). PD3.0 allows for negotiation of higher voltages and currents, potentially resulting in faster charging times with compatible chargers. While both will likely take over 3 hours for a full charge, the Nokia T21 offers greater flexibility and potentially quicker top-ups. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Nokia T21’s more efficient chipset could translate to slightly longer real-world battery life, especially during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL NxtPaper 11 if you prioritize a unique reading experience and spend a significant amount of time consuming digital books or documents, valuing the eye-comfort features above raw performance. Buy the Nokia T21 if you need a more responsive tablet for multitasking, streaming video, and general productivity, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging and broader compatibility with USB-PD chargers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia T21’s Unisoc Tiger T612 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc Tiger T612 isn’t a gaming powerhouse, it should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but the A75 cores provide a performance boost over the TCL NxtPaper 11’s older chipset, making it the better choice for casual gaming.
❓ Is the TCL NxtPaper 11’s display truly better for reading long-form content?
The NxtPaper display is specifically designed to reduce eye strain during extended reading sessions. The paper-like texture and reduced blue light emission can make it more comfortable to read digital books and documents compared to a traditional LCD. However, this comes at the cost of color vibrancy, which may not be ideal for viewing images or videos.
❓ Can I use a standard USB-C charger with the Nokia T21 to take advantage of PD3.0?
Yes, the Nokia T21 supports USB-PD 3.0, meaning you can use any USB-C charger that also supports the Power Delivery standard. However, to achieve the fastest charging speeds, you’ll need a charger specifically rated for PD3.0 with sufficient wattage (ideally 18W or higher).
