Simbans PicassoTab XL is a sleek and easily portable tablet with nice ergonomic build quality. This tablet was released as an upgrade to the 2017 10-inch Simbans PicassoTab or Simbans PicassoTab X.
It packs better features, such as a larger screen size and Android 11 OS. Simbans PicassoTab XL comes with an 11.6-inch screen, slightly larger than the PicassoTab X.
Simbans PicassoTab XL is slightly more expensive than its predecessor but still falls under the affordable range of tablets. If you buy it on the Simbans Store, it will cost you around $259 and $349 on Amazon. Below are some more of its standout features to consider when buying.
Simbans PicassoTab XL Specifications
- Display: 11.6-inch IPS LCD
- Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
- Processor: MT8175 graphics
- Brightness: 200 nits
- Battery life: 5 to 8 hours
- Storage: 64 GB, Expandable with a MicroSD slot
- RAM: 4 GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth v5, Wif 2.4 or 5 GHz, USB-C 2.0, micro HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack
- OS: Android 11
Overall, the features are decent for any beginner-level artist. However, it is not a premium tablet, and you must be certain of the kind of tasks you want to use it for.
For example, drawing, photo editing, and streaming will be okay on the 4 GB of RAM, but video editing and animation will not be possible on this tablet.
It is best suited for beginner-level artists or as a gift item for kids playing around with drawing tools or streaming.
What is in the box?
- Simbans PicassoTab XL Tablet
- Preinstalled glass screen protector
- Artist glove
- Charging cable with USB-A to USB-C ends
- USB-A power adapter pus plugs
- Stylus Pen PP2 and battery
- Sturdy, waterproof flip-cover case that can be used as a stand
Display color and quality
The Simbans Picasso Tab XL comes with a large 11.6-inch screen and 1366 x 768 pixels of resolution. This screen shows colorful and crisp, clear images thanks to the 16:9 aspect ratio capacitive IPS touch screen.
Additionally, it is bright enough at 200 cd/m2 or 200 nits brightness levels. This means it is perfect for indoor use but will not be clear in high-light situations like outdoors.
As mentioned, you will receive a glossy pre-installed screen protector upon purchase. The glossy finish on it will affect your display when viewing it from an angle.
It would have been great if they had a matte laminated display instead.
I also noticed the screen was not as accurate as a 100% sRGB display but was good enough for digital art.
Simbans PicassoTab XL Stylus Pen
The Simbans PicassoTab XL comes with a free PP2 stylus pen. This pen has up to 1024 pressure levels, which will let you draw many different strokes with ease. It also has magnificent palm rejection, which ensures sweaty palms do not affect your drawing.
I would have preferred a battery-free pen with EMR charging. However, the Picasso Pen is not battery free. It is powered by 1 AAA battery which you get for free.
Body design and Build Quality
First of all, the Simbans Picasso XL is a Pen Computer Tablet. You do not need to connect it to a computer to use since it has an inbuilt screen and computer.
A 5- to 8-hour battery life and a lightweight 2.96-pound build make it easy to carry around. It is also quite slim and sleek without the cover, measuring 10.24 x 6.81 x 0.39 inches.
If you like listening to music on the go or connecting your tablet to other devices, you will have a USB-C 2.0, micro HDMI, and 3.5mm audio jack for easy connectivity.
Simbans Picasso XL features a minimal style design with a cool matte finish back.
Simbans Picasso XL: Power and Performance
The Simbans PicassoTab XL runs on an Android 11 for the 64 GB option. This is better than the older Android Pie 9.
For speed and multitasking, the tablet comes equipped with a Quad-Core MTK8163 1.3GHz/Core processor and 2 GB of RAM with a 4 GB alternative. The 4GB option is faster with a 2 GHz processing speed.
This RAM and processor speed will easily run most drawing applications without problems. However, if you intend to run very powerful games or animation, the processor might be a bit slow, and we recommend a more expensive Corei5 or Corei7 processor.
You have two options for file storage that match the RAM you choose. You have 32 GB upgradable to 128 GB with an external SD card and 64 GB upgradable to 128 GB.
This size is enough for most professionals. However, photographers might need a tablet that is expandable up to 1 or 2 TB due to the large raw file sizes. For this, we recommend the Simbans Picasso X11 or Simbans Picasso X14.
PicassoTab XL vs. PicassoTab X Comparison
| Features | PicassoTab XL | PicassoTab X |
|---|---|---|
| Similarities | ||
| Brand | Simbans | Simbans |
| Intended Use | Artists, Drawing Tablet | Artists, Drawing Tablet |
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android Pie 9 |
| Included Pen | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Size | 11.6-inch | 10-inch |
| Standalone Device | Yes | Yes |
| Differences | ||
| Screen Resolution | IPS HD | Lower resolution |
| RAM Capacity | 4GB DDR4 | 2GB and 4GB options |
| Price | $259 (discounted from $349) | $220 – $239 |
| Included Accessories | Tablet case, charging brick, plug adapters, drawing glove, pre-installed screen protector | Charging cable, glove, adapters |
Pros
- Large Screen size and high resolution
- Affordable price range
- Android 11 operating system
- Expandable storage space
- Free accessories such as the stylus Pen and case
- Impressive Palm rejection
Cons
- Non laminated screen
- Gloss finish screen protector can not be viewed at an angle
- Weak speaker and camera
- Short 5 hour battery life
- No battery free stylus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PicassoTab and XL?
PicassoTab is an older tablet compared to the Xl. It has a 30% smaller screen size at 10 inches compared to 11.6 inches on the PicassoTab Xl. The xl screen is also more clear and higher in resolution. It features an IPS HD kind of display which is more crisp than the regular PicassoTab screen.
How long does the battery life of the PicassoTab XL Last?
The PicassoTab XL either has a 10, 000 mAh or 7,000 mAh battery. The 10, 000 option will last for up to 12 hours while the 7,000 mAh will last anywhere between 5 and 8 hours.