Huion Kamvas Slate 13 Review: A Capable Tablet for Beginners, But Not Quite Studio-Ready
Published Jun 6, 2025
Includes affiliate content
Huion’s latest standalone tablet is sleek and versatile, but the drawing experience misses the mark.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to test several of Huion’s drawing tablets, and they’ve consistently delivered a strong combination of performance and value. From the excellent Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) to the budget-friendly yet highly capable Inspiroy Dial 2, I’ve always been impressed with their offerings. So when they reached out and asked if I wanted to take a look at their latest product, the Kamvas Slate 13, I was very excited to try it out.
The Kamvas Slate 13 (launched alongside a smaller 11-inch sibling) is a standalone tablet running Android 14, which means you won’t need a computer to use it. The Android ecosystem also opens up a range of other use cases beyond drawing, from reading comics and watching videos to taking notes and gaming.
But while the idea is promising and the hardware design is definitely solid, the drawing experience (which should be the tablet’s strongest suit) falls disappointingly short. For the first time in my experience with Huion products, I walked away underwhelmed. Let’s take a deeper look.

What’s in the Box?
The Kamvas Slate 13 comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box. Inside the package, you’ll find:
- The Kamvas Slate 13 tablet.
- A protective case that also works as a stand.
- The Huion H-Pencil stylus + 3 replacement pen nibs.
- A USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
- A drawing glove.
- SIM ejector tool (for the microSD card slot).
- Quick start guide / user manual.

I always appreciate when these tablets come with a case, so that’s a nice bonus. And just like other similar folio style cases, this one doubles as a stand for drawing or watching content.

Specs
The Kamvas Slate 13 features a 12.7-inch QHD display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, instead of the 16:9 ratio which is commonly seen on Android tablets. This is great, as it gives you more vertical canvas space for sketching, note-taking and reading.

Under the hood, it’s powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD). It also packs a large 10000mAh battery that can deliver up to 14 hours of uninterrupted use (with the screen at 50% brightness).
Key specs:
Display | 12.7-inch IPS panel, QHD resolution (2176 x 1600), 212 PPI, 4:3 aspect ratio, 99% sRGB color gamut, 60Hz refresh rate, 350 nits brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, anti-glare matte finish, full lamination |
Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core SoC |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB internal, expandable up to 1TB via microSD |
OS | Android 14 |
Stylus | Huion H-Pencil (HS230), active capacitive pen with 4096 pressure levels, ±60° tilt support, rechargeable |
Battery | 10,000mAh capacity |
Cameras | Front: 8MP / Rear: 13MP |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C port |
Dimensions | 280.6 x 211.8 x 7.5mm (11 x 8.33 x 0.29in) |
Weight | 682g (1.5lb) |
Other features | Multi-window support, pre-installed creative apps (HiPaint, HiNote, Clip Studio Paint, ibisPaint), leather case with stand functionality |

Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Kamvas Slate 13 looks more like a premium consumer tablet than a dedicated drawing device, and that’s not a bad thing. It has a slim profile, rounded edges and minimalist aesthetic, so you could easily mistake it for an iPad.


The matte aluminum chassis is solid and well-crafted, and the large 13MP camera module on the back gives it a distinct, high-end look. While you won’t be shooting pro-level photos with it, it’s handy for capturing reference images on the go. Plus, it adds to the device’s overall premium and polished look.


The Slate 13 is comparable in size to a 13-inch iPad Pro. While it’s definitely on the larger side for a tablet, the bigger screen is a positive for creatives, as it provides a more generous workspace for your drawings. Weighing in at 682g (1.5lb), it’s roughly 100g heavier than the iPad Pro, but that extra heft isn’t a dealbreaker.

The included folio style case doubles as a stand and matches the overall build quality of the tablet. It’s pretty snug but easy to attach, has a dedicated slot for the stylus and offers decent angle support for both drawing and viewing. One thing to note is that there’s some movement while drawing, so if you want something a bit more stable, I’d recommend a dedicated stand like this one.



In terms of layout, Huion keeps things simple with the power button on the left, volume rocker at the top, and the USB-C port and microSD card slot on the right side. The folio case has cutouts for everything except the MicroSD slot, so if you’re looking to expand the storage of this tablet you’ll have to take it off to access it, using the included SIM ejector pin.

Overall, the Slate 13’s design is one of its strongest points. It looks and feels great, the kind of hardware that makes you want to pick it up and start creating. Unfortunately, as we’ll see in the next section, the drawing experience doesn’t quite live up to the promise of its sleek exterior.

Performance and User Experience
The 12.7-inch QHD display on the Kamvas Slate 13 runs at 60Hz and has a fully laminated anti-glare surface, so it was clearly designed for visual clarity and smooth creative work, at least on paper. The 4:3 aspect ratio is excellent for drawing, with a more natural workspace compared to the increasingly common 16:10 displays found in many Android tablets.

The nano-etched matte screen works really well to reduce glare, but when it comes to drawing, it left me wanting a bit more tactile feedback. The paperlike texture is subtle (almost too smooth), and doesn’t provide the kind of grip and resistance I personally prefer when sketching.
Color reproduction is another area where the Slate 13 stumbles. While Huion highlights its 99% sRGB coverage, in real-world use, some of the colors on the display appear noticeably dark, even at max brightness. There’s no built-in option to calibrate or adjust the display’s color profile, so for professional creatives who rely on color accuracy, this is a significant limitation.

Now onto what’s arguably the most important piece: the pen. Unfortunately, this is where the Kamvas Slate 13 truly falls short. Let’s start with the positives. The new Huion H-Pencil looks sleek and feels great in the hand, with a premium metal finish. The specs are not bad either, with 60° tilt support, 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and even a handy shortcut button. But the actual drawing experience lacks the finesse and responsiveness I’ve come to expect from Huion’s excellent PenTech 3.0+ pens in their professional tablets.

You’ll definitely notice some line wobble and jitter at slow strokes, plus the initial activation force is high, which can make precise work a bit of a hassle. Palm rejection is also inconsistent, frequently registering unwanted inputs during use. I’ve never been a huge fan of drawing gloves, but with this tablet, they’re a must. Thankfully, Huion has included one in the package, so I’d recommend using it for a better experience.
Overall, while the H-Pencil is lightweight, very well designed and built, it just doesn’t quite measure up to the quality we’ve come to expect from Huion’s pro-grade products. As a result, the Slate 13 feels more like a casual note-taking or doodling tool rather than a serious drawing device.

That’s not to say the experience is entirely negative. For general media consumption, light sketching and even some gaming, the Slate 13 is more than capable. Apps like Clip Studio Paint and ibisPaint come pre-installed and everything runs smoothly thanks to the Helio G99 chipset and 8GB of RAM. Multitasking is fluid, and the clean Android 14 experience is refreshingly free of bloatware. But for artists who are used to the precision of Huion’s pen displays, this one will likely feel like a step down.

Entertainment & Everyday Use
Outside of creative work, the Kamvas Slate 13 holds its own as a general-purpose Android tablet, including full access to all the apps available on the Play Store and the ability to sync your accounts if you’re already part of that ecosystem.

You’ll get smooth performance on everyday tasks like browsing, reading, note-taking and streaming. The large 4:3 display is particularly comfortable for reading comics or ebooks, and the matte finish cuts down glare without compromising too much sharpness.

For video, light gaming and emulation, the experience is decent, although again, the display’s slightly dark color tuning holds it back from truly shining. The built-in speakers get the job done but lack depth and clarity. There’s also no fingerprint reader or facial recognition, which feels like a missed opportunity for a modern Android tablet.

Pros & Cons
With a regular price of $449 USD, the Kamvas Slate 13 positions itself as a mid-range Android tablet with creative aspirations. But right now, it’s actually available at a discount for $409 on Huion’s official website, making it a bit more affordable for those just starting out or for casual users. Let’s take a final look at the pros and cons to see if this one could be a good fit for you.
Pros
- Sleek, premium design and excellent build quality.
- Great battery life.
- Smooth multitasking performance.
- 4:3 aspect ratio display offers more vertical space for drawing and reading.
- The nano-etched matte screen finish helps reduce glare.
- Comes with a suite of pre-installed creative apps like Clip Studio Paint and ibisPaint.
- Clean Android 14 experience with no bloatware.
Cons
- The H-Pencil stylus performance isn’t great, particularly when compared with Huion’s other professional pens.
- Palm rejection is inconsistent and can be frustrating.
- Colors on the display look dark and there’s no option for calibration or color adjustments.
- The built-in speakers are muffled and lack depth.
- No fingerprint or facial recognition.

Verdict
I’ve been consistently impressed with Huion’s professional pen tablets in the past, especially when it comes to the quality of their pens and the value they deliver for creatives. That’s why I was genuinely excited to test out the Kamvas Slate 13.
And while there’s a lot to like here, from the sleek design and solid build quality to the clean Android experience and generous battery life, the core drawing experience just doesn’t live up to Huion’s usual standards. The H-Pencil lacks the precision, fluidity and responsiveness that pros expect. Combine that with inconsistent palm rejection and colors that appear darker than they should, and you’ve got a tablet that is hard to recommend as a serious tool for professional artists.
Having said that, if you’re a casual doodler, student or young creative who wants an affordable entry-level tablet that goes beyond just drawing and can also handle streaming, reading and gaming, the Slate 13 could be a good fit.
But if you’re a working creative, you should skip this one. Here’s hoping future iterations bring Huion’s best-in-class pen technology to their Android devices, because the potential is definitely there.
This post contains affiliate links to partner brands. We earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase. There is no extra cost to you, so it’s just a nice way to help support the site. The product featured in this article was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes, however, the opinions expressed are entirely our own.
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