XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Review

The XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 is a mid-range drawing display featuring a 13.3-inch full-laminated screen, designed for digital artists, illustrators, animators, and graphic designers. With its blend of portability and professional-grade features, it caters to beginners, intermediate users, freelancers, hobbyists, and even professionals who require a compact but powerful creative tool.

Key Features of XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2

Display

• 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 × 1080) resolution for crisp visuals.

• Full-laminated display with anti-glare film reduces parallax and reflections, creating a more natural drawing experience.

• Color Accuracy: 99% sRGB, 89% Adobe RGB, 95% Display P3, displaying 16.7 million colors.

• Brightness: 250 cd/m² with adjustable brightness for different working environments.

Stylus Performance

• X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus – the world’s first stylus with 16,384 pressure levels (double the PA2 stylus’s 8,192), offering smoother shading, finer strokes, and more precision. It also features 3g IAF (Initial Activation Force), ±60° tilt support, higher accuracy, and reduced retraction distance, closely replicating the feel of a pen on paper.

• 3g initial activation force for ultra-responsive strokes.

• 60° tilt support for natural shading and brush effects.

• Battery-free, with pen ID recognition and customizable shortcut settings.

• Two shortcut keys + digital eraser, optional felt nibs for a paper-like feel.

Build and Design

• Slim & Lightweight: 12.9 mm thickness and 1.139 kg weight.

• Durable Metal Backplate: Provides stability and heat dissipation.

• Red Dial Quick Keys + 8 Customizable Shortcut Keys: Streamline workflow.

• Ergonomic Stand: Portable foldable stand supports multiple angles.

• Left- and Right-Handed Compatibility: Adjust via driver rotation.

Connectivity

• Full-featured USB-C connection – single cable, no adapter needed.

• Compatible with Windows 7 (or later), macOS 10.13 (or later), ChromeOS 88 (or later), Linux, and Android (USB3.1 DP1.2).

• Works seamlessly with Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, Blender, Krita, and more.

Performance Review

Drawing Experience

• The stylus is highly responsive, delivering smooth, lag-free strokes.

• 16K pressure sensitivity ensures precise control for detailed illustrations, design work, or animation.

• Full-laminated screen minimizes the gap between pen tip and cursor for a natural drawing feel.

Display Quality

• Accurate color reproduction with 99% sRGB coverage.

• Anti-glare coating reduces reflections during extended sessions.

• Adjustable brightness adapts to different lighting conditions.

Workflow & Shortcuts

• Red Dial + shortcut keys enhance workflow across different software.

• Pen ID recognition allows customization per application for efficiency.

The Main Upgrade Points Compared with the Last Generation

The Artist 13.3 Pro V2 represents a significant generational leap over its predecessor, focusing on core user experience improvements that make it feel like a truly modern and professional device. The key upgrades are:

• Revolutionary X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus: This is the most impactful upgrade. The V2 moves from the standard PA2 stylus to the cutting-edge X3 Pro Smart Chip Stylus, which is the world's first to offer 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity—double the previous 8,192 levels. This translates to exponentially smoother gradient control, finer line weight variation, and vastly more precise pressure response, making digital drawing feel more natural and intuitive than ever before.

• Dramatically Improved Pen Responsiveness: Closely tied to the new stylus is the drastically reduced Initial Activation Force (IAF). The V2's pen requires only 3g of pressure to register a stroke, a massive improvement over the first generation's higher activation force. This allows for incredibly light, feathery strokes that were difficult to achieve consistently on the older model, greatly enhancing the experience of sketching, calligraphy, and delicate detailing.

• Fully Laminated Display: The original model featured a non-laminated screen with a noticeable air gap between the glass and the LCD panel. The V2 introduces a fully laminated display, which eliminates this gap. This upgrade significantly reduces parallax (the offset between the pen tip and the cursor) and minimizes screen glare, creating a more natural "drawing directly on the surface" feeling that artists highly desire.

Who Should Buy the Artist 13.3 Pro V2?

• Beginners & Intermediate Artists: Affordable yet professional-grade entry into digital art.

• Freelancers & Hobbyists: Portable and powerful enough for client work or personal projects.

• Professionals: Ideal as a secondary or portable tablet for illustrators, animators, and designers.

Is the XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Worth Buying?

Strengths

• 16K stylus with superior sensitivity.

• Full-laminated 13.3" display with anti-glare coating.

• Accurate color reproduction: 99% sRGB, 95% P3.

• Portable and durable design with USB-C connectivity.

Considerations

• Screen size may feel small for large-scale professional projects.

• Larger tablets like the XPPen Artist Pro 24 (Gen 2) provide bigger work areas but at a higher price point.

Conclusion

The XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 represents a significant upgrade over the V1, offering the world’s first 16K stylus, an improved full-laminated display, and USB-C connectivity in a slim, portable body. It’s an excellent choice for students, beginners, hobbyists, and professionals seeking a compact secondary tablet without compromising on performance.

FAQ

1. Can the XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 be used for professional work?

   Yes. While best suited for beginners to mid-level artists, it offers enough accuracy and features for professional freelance and creative tasks.

2. How does it compare to other tablets in the same range?

   The 16K stylus and color accuracy make it stand out among mid-range competitors, especially given its price point.

3. Is it portable?

   Yes, it weighs only 1.139 kg and is just 12.9 mm thick, making it easy to carry in a backpack.

4. Does it support macOS and Windows?

   Yes, it supports Windows 7+, macOS 10.13+, Linux, ChromeOS 88+, and Android (USB3.1 DP1.2).