Wacom beats Apple with the launch of its first-ever OLED tablet
In recent months, there have been rumors that Apple is planning to release an iPad with an OLED screen. The tech giant has its work cut out for it because Wacom beat them to the punch when the company unveiled its first OLED tablet, known as the Movink.
The 13.3-inch screen provided by Samsung “delivers Full HD resolution with… a contrast ratio of 100,000:1.” It includes multiple image-enhancing features, such as support for the entire DCI-P3 color gamut. Most notably, the Movink has been validated to both the Pantone and Pantone SkinTone standards, allowing the device to accurately reproduce a wide range of colors and skin tones.
One thing you’ll notice about Wacom’s device is that it’s incredibly thin. It measures 4mm at its thickest point and weighs just 420g (about a pound). According to the announcement, this makes Movink “66 percent thinner and 55 percent lighter than” the similarly sized Wacom One 13 Touch. The company states in a community post that it was able to achieve this size because the tablet does not have a backlight. They claim that OLED screens are bright enough that the screen doesn’t need any extra help.
Because this part is missing, users do not suffer from excess heat or light leakage. The latter is an effect where light penetrates to the edges and corners of the screen, ruining the image quality. It is common on LCD screens. The glass of the Movink is covered with an anti-reflective coating that ensures clarity in bright environments. Additionally, it protects against “color distortion” so artists can express themselves freely without worrying about output issues.
Notable features
Setting up the Movink is quite simple. It is equipped with a USB-C port on the left side that can be used to connect to an external device such as a PC. It supports recent versions of Windows, macOS, Android and ChromeOS. There’s another USB-C on the right for extra power if you need it. On either side of the tablet is a customizable button that can be associated with certain functions, such as activating or deactivating touchscreen functions.
As part of the Movink package, the company is including a free Wacom Pro Pen 3, complete with a “tip holder” for storing the stylus tips. You can of course also use other pens. A list of compatible styluses can be found on Wacom’s website. The page also contains a list of compatible third-party devices. For example, not every Android supports the Movink; only a handful work like the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Wacom’s Movink will be available from May 27 on the official website for $750/£730/$1,300 AUS. As positive as we feel about the tablet, will it really outperform the OLED iPad, which will offer many more features than just drawing and design? Unlikely. Still, Wacom could gain an edge. Industry analyst Ross Young claims that Apple’s next device faces production issues that could lead to delayed shipments.
If you’re looking for recommendations, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best drawing tablets for 2024.