XP Pen Artist Pro 16 Gen 2 Review | 66 Data compared

The XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) is a mid-range drawing tablet retailing at $599.99 / £529.99, offering an expansive 15.4-inch laminated display with a crisp 2.5K resolution (2560 x 1600 pixels) and a taller 16:10 aspect ratio. A major highlight of this second-generation upgrade is the revamped X3-powered stylus, which boasts a market-leading 16,000 pressure levels that are highly responsive to fine hand motions. The tablet features a sleek, button-free black aesthetic, an integrated wrist support, and minimal built-in inputs. Instead of on-bezel buttons, it bundles a separate, wireless "X-Remote Control" shortcut keydial that houses 10 customizable buttons and a physical scroll dial to streamline the digital illustration workflow. The review highlights several prominent pros, including the advanced 16,000-pressure-level stylus, the inclusion of a portable wireless keydial, a roomy 2.5K display with precise 100-point brightness calibration, and a premium hardshell pen case packed with eight replacement nibs. The tablet also eliminates parallax and shows minimal line jitter, making it highly capable for hobbyists and early-career professionals. On the downside, the cons include a complete lack of touch controls—meaning users...

The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) is a 16-inch drawing monitor with a 2.5K resolution (2560×1600) and a 16:10 aspect ratio, making it a highly portable "sweet spot" for digital artists who need screen real estate without taking up too much desk space. It is the first to implement a battery-free stylus powered by the X3 Pro Smart chip, which provides a highly sensitive 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity—doubling the current industry standard for an incredibly smooth, glare-free drawing experience. At a standard price of $599.99 (frequently discounted to around $509), it delivers exceptional color accuracy (99% sRGB) and comes packaged with an ACK05 wireless shortcut remote for custom hotkeys and a premium metallic pen case. However, the device falls short in several areas when compared to its competition or other feature-rich models in the same price class. On the downside, it does not include an adjustable stand, lacks VESA mount support for monitor arms, and completely omits touch input or gesture controls. While the inclusion of the wireless quick key remote is a great idea for workflows, the...

The XPPen Artist Pro 16 (Gen 2) is a 16-inch, Quad-HD drawing tablet featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio and a slim metal chassis. In terms of performance, the pen display excels with incredibly responsive tracking, minimal lag, and exceptional tilt precision that elevates digital painting. The stylus pressure sensitivity handles fine brush strokes very gracefully, though it requires a customized, firm pressure curve to reach maximum output efficiently. While the native screen displays full AdobeRGB, it acts as an excellent, reliable colour reference once calibrated to 100% sRGB. Additionally, hardware features like a laminated, slightly textured surface, built-in rubber feet, an eraser on the back of the pen, and successful single USB-C cable connectivity on Linux make it a highly functional workspace solution. If you need more details, let me know

The Honor Pad X9, reviewed in the January 2024 issue of PC Pro, is a budget-friendly 11.5-inch tablet priced at approximately £160, featuring a premium-feeling 6.9mm metallic unibody and a surprisingly accurate 462 cd/m² display with 98% sRGB coverage. While offering excellent value for money, the device exhibits limitations, including a 2,000 x 1,200 resolution screen with noticeable bezels, lack of toughened glass, and a lower-tier finish compared to high-end rivals.