> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://koyodraw.gitbook.io/drawtab/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://koyodraw.gitbook.io/drawtab/tablet-basics/24-inch-pen-display-1440p-or-4k.md). # 24-inch pen display: 1440p or 4K? {% hint style="danger" %} This document is about the 22-24 inches pen displays only! The info in here does not answer for other display sizes. {% endhint %} Since the release of Cintiq 24 (2025), this question has become more common. This doc may help you to decide for yourself if you really need the 4K on a 22-inch or 24-inch pen display. I wrote this based on my experience about budgeting and being a freelance artist. ## Quick answer {% hint style="info" %} Pick the 1440p if you: * Only use simple brushes. * Don't need to preview or final composition on the pen display. * Don't mind using another monitor or your phone/tablet to preview your art. * Are a hobby artist. * Want a more budget friendly option. * **Have to ask if you need 4K or not.** {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} Pick the 4K if you: * Use a lot of patterns and textured brushes. * Want the canvas to looks like how it would be on smartphone/tablet while you're working on it. * Want the visual of the high PPI for printing. * Can spend more for your tools. * **Already know that you need 4K for your workflow.** {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} Note: **Pixel Density is not the same as Pixel Resolution.** 16-inch 1600p has the same Pixel Density as 24-inch 4K, despite having different Pixel Resolutions. This is about Pixel Density, which accounts for both size and pixel resolution. {% endhint %} ## User interface (click the photo to see pixel grid)

Source: https://youtu.be/0C2DnfPTcmE?si=INU9adYLLLwzoWrH&t=204

## In details: Lineart The brushstroke texture is more visible on a 4K 24-inch. On lower pixel density, the textured G-pen brush is almost the same as normal default circle brush. If you don't mind about this, go for the 1440p. | 1440p (2.5K) | 2480p (4K) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | ## In details: Pattern and Texture The pattern on 2.5K 24-inch less visible and blended together. The lack of clear visual for pattern and texture may change your workflow while drawing and painting. It's also not possible zoom out the canvas to simulate the size of a smart phone due to lower pixel density. Some clients want to print your commission and hang it in their room, so take this in account if your art is print-ready or not. Most popular print-ready size is 5400 x 7200 300dpi for a 18 x 24 inch poster. A 1440p display is not ideal to do error check for this size. The final product may not be the same when you worked on a lower pixel density and and then view it on a higher pixel density displays. | 1440p (2.5K) | 2480p (4K) | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |

Visual pattern and texture of 24-inch 1440p
Both displays show the details at a similar physical size, the long line is about 4cm.

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Visual pattern and texture of 24-inch 4K
Both displays show the details at a similar physical size, the long line is about 4cm.

| | | | | Lower-PPI displays cannot fully reproduce some of the brush's broken-line details in the photo. The actual patterns and textures become visible only when viewed at a higher zoom level. | Higher-PPI displays render these details clearly without having to increase the zoom level. | | It's better to use another high PPI monitor, or your phone/tablet to review your artwork. | While working on the project, you can simulating how other people view your art on phones and tablets, or physical printed products: manga, comic book, printed stickers, posters, keychains, etc. with the pen display. | Go for the 1440p if you: * Don't want/need to check the brush effects at lower zoom level. * Work purely for digital and don't need to worry about printing or texture works. * Have desk space and can use another 4K/5K monitor alongside your 1440p 24-inch pen display. * Don't mind using another monitor or your phone/tablet to preview your art. ## In details: Budgeting 4K 24-inch or 22-inch is way, way more expensive! I will use "Cintiq 24 Touch 2025" and "Cintiq Pro 22" as examples for the calculation. | 1440p (2.5K) | 2480p (4K) | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Cintiq 24 Touch (2025) costs 1500 usd. | Cintiq Pro 22 (2023) costs 3000 usd. | |

In 5 years period:
the cost is 300 usd/year, or 25 usd/month.

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In 5 years period: | |
the cost is 600 usd/year, or 50 usd/month.

| | |

Resell value:

You lost 600-800 usd.

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Resell value:

You lost 1000-1500 usd.

| | Amount of disposable income recommendation: 350 usd/month | Amount of disposable income recommendation: 700 usd/month | {% hint style="info" %} The math is simple: Only buy a tablet that costs 4-6 months of your disposable income. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} Disposable income: the amount of money a person has left after paying bills and taxes. It is the income available to spend on goods and services or to save. {% endhint %} There is no guarantee that these tablets will last more than 5 years. For electronics, failure can happen at any time, no matter how good the quality was. Unless you can use the tablet to make money, the cheaper option for you, the better. *** *** ## So, why 4K? 4K is good for what it is: a high-density display for people who need it for their work. It exists for many legitimate reasons, and high-density displays are very popular nowadays. All phones and tablets use high-density displays. Even many laptops have moved in that direction because people have become accustomed to sharper text, cleaner lines, and overall better image quality. You can buy a 4K 27-inch monitor for around $200 these days. The technology is no longer some luxury feature reserved for professionals or enthusiasts. It's become relatively accessible to the average consumer. But when it comes to pen displays, you have to spend much, much more to get that same pixel density on a 24-inch screen. A feature that is commonplace elsewhere suddenly becomes a premium upgrade the moment it's attached to a drawing tablet. Is it because of corporate greed? I don't know. Given how niche the drawing tablet industry is, it's hard to say. The market is much smaller than the monitor, phone, or tablet market, which means companies sell fewer units and have less incentive to aggressively drive down costs. Manufacturing volumes, specialized hardware, and limited competition probably all play a role. In the end, drawing tablets are tools, not toys. People buy them to create art, get work done, and earn a living. As long as they can do that reliably, most artists will put up with a lot of shortcomings. That said, it's still hard not to be a little disappointed. We live in a time where high pixel density screens are everywhere. They're in our phones, tablets, laptops, and even relatively affordable monitors. Yet somehow, many pen displays still lag behind in that regard. It feels strange that a device specifically made for visual work often ends up with a less impressive display than products that cost far less. But that's just where the market is right now. We can complain about it, we can wish for better options, but at the end of the day, we have to work with what's available.

Koyo (8:03 PM - August 2nd 2026)

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