# XP-Pen Artist 12 3rd (CD121FH) notes ## Overview Good pen display at an excellent price. Will be good for beginners or for a first tablet. Very convenient that the tablet comes with all the cables you need to connect via HDMI and USB-C (assuming your computer supports USB-C) 12" is the smallest I would recommend for a pen tablet. I personally prefer larger sizes (19" to 22") but for many this size should work. Unboxing and testing stream: ## Links * [Teoh on Tech - Review of Artist 12 3rd](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkpUTfQGLwc) 2025-12-17 * [Brad Colbow - Review of Artist 12 3rd](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlqGM0rjG3g) 2025-11-17 ## Basics ### Product information * Product page: * Name: XP-Pen Artist 12 GEN3 * Actually the name on the box is "XP-Pen Artist 12 3rd" but to be consistent with how I discuss other tablets I am using "GEN3" in the name. * Model number: CD121FH * Launch year: 2025 * User manual: ### What's in the box * Drawing Display x 1 * X4 Smart Chip Stylus x 1 * Pen Nibs x 10 * Nib Replacement Tool x 1 * Full-featured USB-C to USB-C Cable x 1 * 3-in-1 USB-C Cable x 1 * Warranty and Driver Download Card x 1 * Glove x 1 * Cleaning Cloth x 1 * Foldable Stand x 1 ## Specs ### Digitizer specs * digitizer type: EMR * digitizer resolution: 5080 LPI (200 LPmm) * Dimensions: 264.0 x 149.0 mm * Digonal: 11.9 in * Number of pressure levels: 16K * Tilt: YES * Tilt range: +/- 60 deg * Report rate: UNKNOWN * Accuracy: * Center ±0.2 mm * Corner: UNKNOWN ### Display specs * Display panel: IPS * Native resolution: 1920x1080 * Aspect ratio: 16x9 * Surface: etched glass * XP-Pen says "AG + AF" * Lamination: YES * Brightness: 260 nit * Response time: UNKNOWN * Refresh rate: 60Hz * Viewing angle: 170° * Color bit depth: 8bpp * Color gamut: * 99% sRGB * 97% Adobe RGB * 97% Display P3 ### Device specs * Size: 327.2 x 189.1 x 12.0 mm * Weight: 719 g * Ports: * Full-featured USB-C x 1 * 3-in-1 USB-C x 1 * Both USB-C ports are recessed ## Pen ### Included pen X4 Smart Chip Stylus [XP-Pen X4 pen notes](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/catalog/pens/xppen-pens/xppen-x4pen-notes) ### Compatible pens * X4 Smart Chip Stylus * P-Pen does not list other pens as compatible - however these pens work * X3 Pro * X3 Pro Slim * X3 roller works (but roller cannot be configured) ## Display ### Brightness TBD ### Dead Pixels NONE ### AG Sparkle LOW (GOOD) Only noticable when eyes are very close to screen ## Drawing experience ### Static tracking accuracy GOOD. ### Corner and edge accuracy TYPICAL - Slight deviation (\~2mm) at corners and edges ### Tilt compensation Overall GOOD But pointer deviates slightly to the left (\~1mm) as the pen tilts to the left. ### Diagonal wobble * Slightly diagonal wobble visible in strokes at all tested speeds. With the most at the slowest speed and declining as the stroke speed increased. * Most users will likely not notice any wobble. * If it does show up smoothing will remove it. In Krita, weighted stabilization with a distance value of 200 removed it. ### Artifacts at low pressure MINIMAL (GOOD) ### Pressure banding GOOD - no banding observed ### Pressure scan rate GOOD. No missed strokes ### Parallax Good (LOW) ### Pointer lag Slightly more than I would expect for a pen display. ### Surface texture Tested with the default plastic nib of the X4 pen. Typical for pen displays - slight texture. Pen didn't feel slippery on the glass. Similar feel to Wacom Movink 13 - just very slightly less ### Connections and cabling TBD ## Other inputs ### Buttons * 8 buttons on the left side * They can be pressed from the left and from the top * It is NOT hard to press the buttons when the tablet is resting on a desk ### Rollers * 2 rollers on the left side * The rollers provide tactile feedback as you roll them and have a "click" sound * The rollers were could easily be used even when the tablet is resting on a desk ## Ergonomics ### VESA Does not support VESA mounting ### Stand Does comes with a folding stand ### Touch No touch support. ### Legs No legs ### Fans None ### Noise * No fan noise * The rollers have "click" when rolling. It is not loud, but louder than I expected. ## Heat At 100% brightness for an hour - seems overall room temperature with some light heat increasing toward the ports on the right