Wacom Updates Its Cintiq Line With Slimmer Designs, 2.5K Displays, And Pro Pen Tweaks

Wacom has announced a new generation of Cintiq pen displays, featuring updates designed for mid-range professionals and students transitioning from entry-level equipment. The new models — Cintiq 16, Cintiq 24, and Cintiq 24 Touch — feature modest hardware improvements, a slimmer profile, and refinements to the drawing experience that may appeal to animation artists, illustrators, and designers.

The headline changes include 2.5K resolution across the line (2560 x 1600 for the 16″ and 2560 x 1440 for the 24″), reduced parallax via direct bonding, and the inclusion of the Pro Pen 3, now supported by a new internal chip meant to improve sampling rate and pressure accuracy. While the pen itself isn’t new, it was previously bundled with the higher-end Cintiq Pro line, the performance gains could offer better responsiveness for line-heavy workflows like storyboarding and 2D animation.

Wacom has also redesigned the hardware to be thinner and quieter. The Cintiq 24 is nearly half the thickness of its predecessor, and the entire lineup now uses a fanless design, which could be useful in shared or sound-sensitive workspaces. The bezels have been narrowed, and port layout has been simplified. All models support USB-C, HDMI, and USB-A, and the 16” version can now be powered via a single USB-C cable, depending on the device it’s connected to.

Ergonomics remain customizable, especially in the case of the Pro Pen 3, which allows users to adjust grip size, button placement, and balance. Wacom is also offering an optional wooden grip for the pen, a cosmetic addition that may appeal to users who prefer a more analog feel, although it’s unlikely to impact functionality. The 24” models include an adjustable stand, while the 16” offers basic fold-out legs and optional third-party mounting via VESA support.

There’s no major overhaul in pressure levels or tilt response, suggesting Wacom is positioning this refresh as an incremental update rather than a reinvention. It may not attract high-end users already on Cintiq Pros or similar devices, but it could serve as a more practical upgrade path for those on older 13″ or 22″ Cintiqs, particularly in studio environments where desk space is limited.

The displays ship with time-limited licenses for Clip Studio Paint EX and MASV, which are common software tools in smaller studios and freelance pipelines. The new Cintiqs are expected to ship later this summer.