In May 2024 , Apple unveiled the a la mode generation of its Pencil style for iPad — Apple Pencil Pro . It ’s essentially a replacement for the 2nd - propagation Apple Pencil , made to support only the newest iPad Air ( M2 ) and iPad Pro ( M4 ) models , and with similar figure but several new feature .
That means Apple now hasfourproducts all key “ Apple Pencil , ” but two of them are basically only for products no longer sold as new , but rather only for legacy model .
If you need to save up money , conceive alternative stylus for your iPad . Read our round - up of thebest stylus for iPad , iPad Air , Pro , and miniskirt .
Which Apple Pencil: Specs
Before we look at the conflict between the three Apple Pencil models , here ’s a brief dislocation of their technical specification :
Which Apple Pencil: Price
The Leontyne Price for each Apple Pencil vary by features and compatibility . The most expensive options are the Apple Pencil Pro and the secondly - gen Apple Pencil , which are both $ 129/$129 . The cheapest is the Apple Pencil with USB - coke at $ 79/£79 .
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
The first Apple Pencil was set up in September 2015 . Apple sells it for $ 99/£99/€119 . It operate with the current 10th - generation iPad as well as a number of older iPad models . To load you plug away it into your iPad ’s Lightning port , so you ca n’t apply it when charging . It is pressure level - sensitive , which is good if you are an creative person . We distrust that Apple will soon take this Pencil from the lineup .
Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
This is the better Apple Pencil for those that do not have the very recent iPad Air or Pro . It launch in 2018 and Apple sells it for $ 129/£129 . It lick with late iPad Air , mini , and Pro , but not the 10th gen iPad or the M2 iPad Air or M4 iPad Pro . This Apple Pencil charges wirelessly . We suspect that Apple will soon remove this Pencil from the lineup .
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
This Apple Pencil was launched in 2023 to support iPads with USB - hundred commove ports alternatively of the older Lightning port . It lacks many of the features of the 2nd propagation modeling , so do n’t return into the trap of thinking new means better . But it is cheaper at $ 79/£79 . This is fundamentally a Pencil with a USB - speed of light interface . It lack imperativeness sensitivity , which even the 1st gen model has . It does n’t work with the 9th gen iPad or the former iPad Pros .
Apple Pencil Pro
This is the adept Apple Pencil , as long as you have a compatible iPad . Apple deal it for $ 129/£129 . It works with the most recent iPad Air ( M2 ) and iPad Pro ( M4 ) as well as the iPad mini A17 . This Apple Pencil charges wirelessly , and has all of the features of 2nd - gen Apple Pencil and several more , like haptic feedback , Find My support , and support for rolling and squeeze gestures .
Which Apple Pencil: Design
There ’s not precisely a lot of room for florid designs or new esthetics when it comes to something as manakin - qualified as a style . But , the engineers at Apple have been engaged , incorporate a few elements that make the Pencils recognizable from each other .
In all cases , you ’re look at a white credit card , cylindric case with no buttons or markings except for the Apple Pencil name . The first - Gen Pencil is the only one that is completely round ( and has a calendered finish ) , as the Pro , 2nd - Gen , and USB - C adaptation have a flatten out side so that they can be attached magnetically to the sharpness of a compatible iPad .
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Apple has constantly been refine the balance and treatment of its Pencil range , as you may see from the fact that with each generation the length of the stylus has lento been shortened . Here ’s how they measure up :
Both the 1st - Gen and USB - C Pencils have a lid at the top remnant that can be make off to charge the equipment . On the first - Gen , removing the cap reveals a Lightning connector , while the USB - C slue up to reveal a USB - C port . The 2nd - Gen and Pro models send wirelessly and do n’t have a port wine or connector .
At the business sector closing of the Pencil , you ’ll find the replaceable rubber tip that make the Apple Pencil such a comfy experience . Some of the models have more functionality work up into their slender chassis , which we ’ll cover in the next section .
Which Apple Pencil: Features
While all of the Pencil models will allow you to write bank note and chalk out on your iPad , they do provide dissimilar capabilities count on the framework you choose . The 1st - Gen Pencil delivers a precise piece of writing experience , with low latency and pressure sensitivity to let thinner and wider pen / brush strokes , plus the power to smell out when you are tilting the stylus for blending and similar technique .
Pairing and bill are done via the Lightning port wine , as there is no wireless charging in this manakin , plus you ca n’t magnetically impound it to an iPad . You also do n’t get the hover feature film on iPad Pro good example , which enables you to preview where your chump will be made without hold to reach the screen . You will also have to make do without the three-fold - tap action to swap between the various pens , brushes , and other pecker .
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The Gen 2 Pencil offer all of the features included in its predecessor , except for the Lightning port charging and pairing , which is or else achieved wirelessly . It introduce the double - spigot feature through a tinge - sensible area near the wind , plus there ’s the option to have it engraved with a personal message .
The Apple Pencil USB - C attaches via a USB - C - to - USB - C cable from your iPad ’s charging embrasure to the Pencil . you could magnetically bind it to an iPad for safe - keeping , but it does n’t consign . It has nearly all the same feature as the 1st - Gen Pencil , albeit oddly without pressure sensitivity , which does seem like a step backward . As a pocket-size compensation , you do get the 2nd - Gen ’s hover feature if you own an iPad Pro .
The latest is the Apple Pencil Pro , which only supports the iPad Air ( M2 ) and iPad Pro ( M4 ) , and presumably future iPad Air and Pro models . It has all the features of the 2nd - Gen mannikin with the addition of roll and hale sensitivity , haptic feedback , and determine My support .
Which Apple Pencil: Compatibility
Every Pencil supports unlike iPads , so you ’ll need to curb which model you have before you grease one’s palms one of the three stylus models Apple crack :
Apple Pencil ( Gen 1 )
Apple Pencil ( Gen 2 )
Which Apple Pencil: Verdict
Some of the master consideration when weigh an Apple Pencil are how you need to use it and which iPad you have . If you ’re concerned in create art or more decorative writing , then you ’ll no doubt find the pressure sensitiveness of the Gen 1 , Gen 2 , and Pro models an substantive feature . Then you ’ll just need to select the one that is compatible with your gimmick . The Gen 2 Pencil does have the extra benefit of wireless charging , plus the doubled - tap and hover capabilities – but , crucially , this Pencil does n’t function with any of the late iPads so unless your iPad is a few years honest-to-god this pencil will be no good to you .
If you have a newer iPad with a USB - C connective and just want to take down greenback , then the USB - century model could serve those purposes admirably , with the tote up advantage of being the most affordable model available from Apple .
If you buy an iPad Air with M2 or iPad Pro with M4 , or the iPad mini A17 Pro , you could choose between the USB - atomic number 6 model with its very introductory functionality or Apple Pencil Pro , which has by far the most features of any Apple Pencil .
The boundary instance is if you have an iPad mini ( 6th gen ) or tenth - gen iPad and really need insistency sensitivity . While you would normally choose the USB - C Pencil for those models , the only compatible Pencil with pressure sensitivity is the first - gen Apple Pencil , which comes with a little USB - snow to Lightning charging adapter you ’ll have to use to charge it .
