After a successful launch two years ago, Xencelabs finally announced the latest Pen Display 24+ (PD24+) on August 6, 2025 — this round with even better feature upgrades. The PD24+ is the world’s first drawing display that features Calman Ready integration.
This is a big deal for creative professionals who are doing color-critical work. Up until now, there have been no Xencelabs pen displays that support hardware-level color calibration via Calman, which means this model is setting a new benchmark for industry-standard color management. In simple terms, it’s designed to show your work exactly as it should look, whether you’re creating for print, film, or digital platforms. The Pen Display 24+ also features a 4K UHD Advanced IPS screen built for comfort, ergonomics, and productivity, with thoughtful touches like HP Anyware® and Parsec support for remote collaboration.
Beyond its technical leap, like every other pen display, it carries the fundamental advantage of allowing users to directly interact with their work in a way that feels closer to traditional painting than clicking a mouse — ultimately bridging the disconnect that we usually have in our creative process. On paper, Xencelabs is promising a world-class drawing and display experience that helps creatives expand their creativity and increase their productivity. I am eager to find out how it performs in practice, integrating into my usual workflow as a professional photographer.
Build Quality
The Xencelabs Pen Display 24+ is designed with a clear focus on delivering a world-class drawing experience. The surface uses Super AG Etching™ glass, which provides just the right balance between friction and smoothness. This, in return, gives a natural pen-on-paper feel while still allowing the hand to glide comfortably across the screen. The matte display surface has strong anti-reflective properties, which reduce glare very effectively. It makes the viewing experience comfortable even at close distances compared to a traditional monitor. This is very important given that the display is designed for drawing on top, and users may spend a lot of time up close with it.
While I personally am not a fan of touching my screen, as it usually leaves smudges that affect clarity, I did find the display surface of the PD24+ quite effective at resisting fingerprints. Even with my sweaty hands, it only leaves minor smudges, which are not visible when the display is on. I am also happy to report that the smudges can be easily cleaned off with the microfiber cloth provided by Xencelabs. As much as I am a fan of the matte glass surface, I cannot comment on the durability of the screen, as I have not been using it long enough to scratch it. While some may find the wide bezel on the display unattractive, it is actually necessary to provide sufficient hand support to cater for edge-to-edge drawing, which the PD24+ allows.
Other than the Super AG Etching™ glass display and rubber feet, the entire PD24+, including its tilt stand, is made of solid plastic. It feels solidly built and does not have any wobbling or creaking during usage. The included tilt stand is sturdy out of the box and easily adjustable with one hand between 16° and 72°, catering to a variety of use cases. Do note that it is not height adjustable, and if you desire greater orientation flexibility, an optional multi-axis stand is available as a separate purchase. It also features a completely fanless design aimed at providing silent operation. This is made possible with the innovative heat sink feature that effectively radiates heat out of the back of the display.
There are three ways of connecting the PD24+: HDMI, DisplayPort cable, or USB-C cable. Fortunately, all the cords provided have an angular tip for the back of the display, which is convenient if you lower the angle. I recommend using the USB-C connection for a more seamless experience, but bear in mind that despite using USB-C, it does not support power delivery as the output is too low for charging. If you connect using HDMI or DisplayPort, you will still need to connect an additional USB-C cable for pen input, the Quick Keys remote, and touch controls. The supplied power brick is slim and small, making it very convenient for transport.
At the top of the display, there are two USB-A ports built into the frame — one intended for the Bluetooth dongle that communicates with Quick Keys and another for charging it. They can also be used for portable drives and data transfers. The Quick Keys are well built, with eight customizable buttons, a smooth scroll wheel offering four modes, and a small LED screen that shows each button’s current function. I appreciate the dedicated screen that shows what each mode and button does, so you don’t have to memorize them. The indent on the rotating wheel is shallow but sufficient to hold the wheel while rotating it. The buttons provide a solid haptic click — firm but not overly deep. They can be attached to any corner of the display via a friction mount and operate on battery, which helps keep the setup uncluttered.
Xencelabs also includes two types of pens: the fatter 3 Button Pen + Eraser v2 and the Thin Pen + Eraser v2. Both support interchangeable standard and felt nibs, allowing artists to choose a grip and drawing feel that suits their preference. Both the pens and nibs come in a neat portable case, though they are unlikely to be used much in a studio setting. The pens are well made with rubberized grips that are comfortable to hold for long hours, though I cannot say the same for the nibs as they start wearing down after short-term usage. There are also six standard positions for the pen holder around the display frame. Replacing nibs can be tricky, even with the provided removal tool, as they tend to slip, but it gets the job done after a few tries.
Features
Display and Color Accuracy
Out of the box, the Pen Display 24+ delivers strong performance. The 24-inch 4K UHD Advanced IPS panel supports a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160, producing up to 1.07 billion colors. It covers up to 99% of Adobe RGB, 93% of DCI-P3, and 99% of sRGB, and is Pantone® and SkinTone™ validated. For day-to-day use, this wide-gamut panel with strong consistency makes it suitable for a wide range of creative workflows.
There are six default calibration profiles (Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 709, and Rec. 2020) available straight out of the box. While the default tuning is impressive, performing a calibration brings the display to another level, unlocking its full potential. Wide-gamut panels like the PD24+ can oversaturate sRGB content if left unchecked, causing reds to appear too strong and greens unnaturally vivid. With calibration, the Pen Display 24+ maps colors accurately into the intended space, ensuring reliable output whether you are working in print, film, or digital. This is where its Calman Ready integration plays an important role.
The Pen Display 24+ is the first pen display with Calman Ready built directly into its firmware. This means it is capable of hardware-level calibration using Calman Studio calibration software and supported colorimeters such as the Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 (sold separately). Once calibrated, the display is aligned to industry standards in the same way professional reference monitors are, providing confidence that the colors you see remain consistent across production pipelines. The firmware is also designed to receive updates, keeping the calibration system aligned with evolving standards. Calman has streamlined the calibration process by preloading workflow templates for the Pen Display 24+ into the Calman Ultimate software, making the process straightforward even for newcomers.
Unfortunately, the Calman calibration software is currently supported only on Windows computers. Running calibration on Mac virtual machines like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion will not work because of virtual GPU limitations. Even if you manage to run it, errors may be introduced since calibration data is managed by macOS first, then translated for the virtual machine. It is therefore recommended to run calibration on Windows directly.
Note: A healthy ΔE (Delta E) value should always be below 5 for consistent color reproduction, and ideally below 2.
It is important to set your brightness level before running calibration, as any changes afterward can affect accuracy. A colorimeter usually measures the display’s luminance at that brightness, and adjusting later can shift gamma response or even cause color temperature drift. A typical target might be 120 cd/m² for photo editing or 160–200 cd/m² for video work. To maintain consistency, it is best to work in a controlled lighting environment and have multiple saved profiles for different workflows.
General Features
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Industry-first pen display with Calman Ready built in
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Dimensions (W × H × D): 618.50 × 388.00 × 34.70 mm (24.4 × 15.3 × 1.4 in)
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Active Area Size: 527.04 × 296.46 mm (20.75 × 11.7 in)
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Display Resolution: 3,840 × 2,160 pixels @ 60 Hz (4K UHD)
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Weight: 6.0 kg / 13.3 lbs (6.9 kg / 15.2 lbs with tilt stand + rubber feet)
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Brightness: 330 cd/m²
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HP Anyware® compatible (Windows® only)
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Parsec compatible
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Super AG Etching™ for exceptional glare reduction
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Innovative heat sink designed to radiate heat out the back (no heat, no fans, no noise)
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1.07 billion colors, 99% Adobe RGB, 93% DCI-P3, 99% sRGB
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Rec. 709 (BT 709) and Rec. 2020 (BT 2020) compliant
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Pantone® and SkinTone™ validated
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Virtual Tablet Mode™
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Finely tuned pressure curve
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3 g initial activation pressure
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Quick Keys with OLED screen and 44 customizable shortcuts per application
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Edge-to-edge seamless drawing surface
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Three programmable LED button indicators with customizable color
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macOS, Windows®, Windows® ARM64, and Linux compatible
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Kensington MicroSaver 2™ slot
What’s in the Box
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1× Xencelabs Pen Display 24+ (LPH2412-A)
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1× Xencelabs Tilt Stand
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1× 3-Button Pen + Eraser v2 (PH35-A)
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1× Thin Pen + Eraser v2 (PH36-A)
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2× Pen Clip
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1× Pen Case
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1× USB-A to USB-C Adapter
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1× Wireless Dongle
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6× Standard drawing nibs
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4× Felt drawing nibs
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1× Nib extractor
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1× Quick Keys (K02-A)
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1× Quick Keys Clip
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1x AC power adapter (L-shaped connector) and power cord
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1× 0.6 m USB-C to USB-A cable (for charging the Quick Keys)
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1× 2 m USB-C to USB-C (L-shaped) cable
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1× 2 m USB-C to USB-A (L-shaped) cable
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1× 2 m DisplayPort to DisplayPort (L-shaped) cable
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1× 2 m HDMI 2.0 to HDMI 2.0 (L-shaped) cable
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1× Sticker
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1× Cleaning cloth
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1× Medium Drawing Glove
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1× Quick Start Guide
Pen
Xencelabs includes two pens in the box, giving users flexibility based on grip preference: the fatter 3 Button Pen + Eraser v2 and the Thin Pen + Eraser v2. Both pens are compatible with the Pen Display 24+ and the v2 Pen Tablets, making them versatile in a wider workflow. Each pen comes with interchangeable nibs — standard (black) and felt (white) — so you can choose between a smoother glide or a more paper-like resistance, closer to traditional media.
Both pens use EMR technology and do not require batteries or a wired/wireless connection. They support 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, with a finely tuned pressure curve that feels natural and responsive. The initial activation pressure of just 3 g means even the lightest strokes are registered, which is especially useful for sketching or detail work. With 60 degrees of tilt support and a resolution of 5,080 LPI, shading and line variation behave predictably, much like working with real pencils or brushes.
For those who want more control, the pressure response is fully adjustable. You can fine-tune the sensitivity curve and activation pressure to match your style, whether you prefer a feather-light touch or a heavier hand.
Quick Keys
The Quick Keys remote is included with the Pen Display 24+. Compact and lightweight at just 142 g, it features a 3.12-inch OLED display that shows the function of each button, eliminating guesswork. The display can be rotated into four orientations (0°, 90°, 180°, or 360°), making it easy to position anywhere on your workspace.
The device offers eight customizable buttons per set, with the ability to store up to five sets, giving a total of 40 shortcuts per application. On top of that, the integrated dial supports four user-defined modes with assignable colors, adding flexibility for tasks like zooming, rotating, scrolling, or brush size adjustment. In total, that’s 44 programmable shortcuts per application.
It also features a built-in battery with up to 53 hours of use per charge. Recharging takes about 1.5 hours. For added security, the Quick Keys include a Kensington NANO® Security Slot™ to prevent theft in shared studio environments.
Real-World Usage Experience
At 24 inches, the screen size balances workspace and desk footprint well. Personally, I find 24 inches comfortable, though I would love a 27-inch version for extra room. That said, pixel density is higher at 24 inches — about 183 PPI — compared to 163 PPI on a 27-inch or 138 PPI on a 32-inch display. This results in a sharper image at 24 inches, especially noticeable up close.
The Xencelabs Pen Display 24+ behaves more like a monitor with pen capability than a traditional touchscreen tablet. Since it isn’t touch-enabled, your palm and accidental touches won’t register, making it comfortable to use without gloves. The display panel sits close to the surface, reducing the offset between pen tip and cursor and producing little to no parallax. This makes drawing feel natural. Unlike some displays, it does not create the distracting “rainbow effect” when pressing into the glass.
While the Super AG Etching™ matte glass surface effectively reduces glare, it does slightly limit viewing angles, possibly due to its thickness. Depending on your position, images may appear a little “out of focus.” Switching back to a traditional monitor after extended PD24+ use makes standard monitors appear sharper. Another trade-off is the “jello effect” when switching windows quickly, despite the 60 Hz refresh rate. This likely happens because pen displays prioritize color accuracy over speed, using slower IPS panels without overdrive to prevent artifacts that could compromise color fidelity.
The peak brightness of 330 nits is fine for indoor use but insufficient for outdoor work. The display is pleasant up close, aiding fine detail work without overwhelming brightness. After extended use, the top gets a little warm, but overall heat management is impressive for a fanless design.
As a professional photographer, integrating the Pen Display 24+ into my workflow was a game-changer. I’ve always struggled with the disconnect of using a separate pen tablet, drawing in one place while watching another screen. That pushed me back to a mouse, which felt more natural but less precise. With this display, that barrier is gone. I can draw directly where I want, making the creative process seamless. Retouching, especially with tools like clone stamp or dodge and burn, feels more refined and enjoyable.
The pen response is excellent with virtually no lag, though I had to tweak the pressure curve since the default required pressing harder than I liked to hit higher levels. This might otherwise cause faster wear on nibs or the screen. While excellent for creative work, the PD24+ isn’t a full monitor replacement for entertainment — it lacks built-in speakers and doesn’t have the same port options as a standard display.
The UI is straightforward, with both global and app-specific shortcut settings. The Quick Keys add real convenience. While the OLED display is helpful, switching through profiles feels a little sluggish as it first shows the profile name before updating the shortcut labels. That said, the more you use it, the more practical it feels. The buttons have a satisfying tactile feel, and the dial makes brush adjustments intuitive and quick.
Summary
What I Liked
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Excellent color accuracy (Pantone® and SkinTone™ validated, industry standard)
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Wide color gamut: 1.07 billion colors, 99% Adobe RGB, 93% DCI-P3, 99% sRGB
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Responsive pen with no noticeable lag and minimal parallax
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Quick Keys remote adds real convenience
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Up to 44 customizable shortcuts with app-specific profiles
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Solid build quality with a sturdy multi-angle stand
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Calman integration for hardware-level calibration
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Matte, glare-resistant surface with a pleasant drawing feel
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Simple setup process, quick to get running
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Fanless design, silent in use
What Could Be Improved
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Add USB-C Power Delivery support
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Include built-in speakers and more ports
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Provide a fully rotatable, height-adjustable stand
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Enable Mac support for Calman calibration
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Reduce glass thickness for sharper viewing
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Increase brightness for bright environments
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Improve response time to minimize “jello effect”
Final Closing Thoughts
Overall, the PD24+ is an excellent expansion display and investment for creative professionals who want to upgrade their workflow with pen interaction and a highly calibrated, color-accurate screen. I see it as a specialized device rather than a replacement for your everyday monitor or entertainment display. It shines in color-critical work, though you will need to accept a few trade-offs. There is also a bit of a learning curve in calibration, but the more you use it, the more it integrates naturally into your workflow. The Xencelabs Pen Display 24+ is available now for $1,899.
