Apple this week debuted the Apple Pencil Pro, marking the first major revision to the Apple Pencil lineup since the 2018 launch of the Apple Pencil 2. There are some major changes that were introduced with the new accessory, including new gestures and capabilities.
Squeeze
The squeeze gesture allows the Apple Pencil Pro to sense when pressure is applied to the sides of the device. Using squeeze brings up a palette so that you can do things like switch tools, line weights, and colors.
Developers can customize how apps react to the squeeze gesture so it can bring up custom controls in each app.
Barrel Roll
There is a gyroscope in the Apple Pencil Pro that allows the rotation of the barrel to change the orientation of certain tools. It basically offers much more precise control of shaped pen and brush tools, similar to how a real pen or brush would function when you tilt it while drawing or sketching.
Haptic Feedback
A built-in haptic engine offers haptic feedback when using the Apple Pencil Pro’s gestures. A light haptic pulse will respond when using a squeeze or double-tap gesture, plus there is feedback when using the snap to a Smart Shape feature.
Find My
Find My is available for the Apple Pencil Pro so it can be tracked right alongside the iPad and other devices in the Find My app.
Charging and Pairing
The Apple Pencil Pro attaches to the side of the iPad Pro or the iPad Air, and the magnetic connection enables automatic pairing and charging. There is a new magnetic interface that is available on the 2024 iPad Pro models.
Existing Features
Current Apple Pencil features like Apple Pencil hover and double tap are supported. Hover lets you preview where the Apple Pencil will touch down on the display before a mark is made, while double tap can be used for swapping between tools.
Low latency, tilt sensitivity, and pressure sensitivity are all included features.
Compatibility
The Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the M2 iPad Air models and the M4 iPad Pro models, so it only works with the May 2024 iPads.
Price
The Apple Pencil Pro is priced at $129, which is also the cost of the Apple Pencil 2.
Samsung’s S Pen has been unchallenged for many years. It used to be the go-to solution for tablet users who wanted the option to handwrite or draw on their large digital screens. But in 2024, Samsung is not alone, and the S Pen has some real competition. Not so much in the smartphone sector, where the Galaxy Ultra lineup remains the best choice for stylus fans, but certainly so in the tablet space.
Apple unveiled its first Pro-grade Pencil accessory for iPads earlier this week, and even though it hurts to say this as a Samsung fan, the Pencil Pro does many things better than the S Pen ever could.
The S Pen is getting challenged and even surpassed, and that’s a hard pill to swallow given the S Pen’s longevity and legacy. But there’s no way around it. The Pencil Pro is an impressive piece of technology, and now, the S Pen has to catch up in many areas.
No, Apple didn’t steal Air Command from Samsung
First things first, let’s dispel this misconception that Apple stole Air Command. One of the popular narratives you may have seen on X (formerly Twitter) over the past few days is that Apple lifted Samsung’s Air Command feature for its own Pencil. But that’s a misguided notion based on nothing but a visual similarity.
Let’s do a recap of the S Pen’s Air Command feature. What is it? In short, the Air Command menu functions much like the Edge app panel. It’s a pop-up window that can be summoned with the S Pen button or by tapping an on-screen S Pen bubble.
Galaxy device users can add shortcuts for S Pen-compatible apps to the Air Command menu, but the Air Command menu itself is not dynamic. It doesn’t change based on which drawing or note-taking app you’re using at a given time. Its sole function is to offer shortcuts to apps, and no matter which app you might be using, the Air Command menu always looks the same when summoned.
In that sense, you can think of it as an apps drawer for S Pen apps. Is it redundant? Not necessarily. But it certainly feels like a wasted opportunity in light of what the new Pencil Pro can do.
So, back to the original question. Did the Pencil Pro steal the Air Command menu? Far from it. In fact, as far as we can tell, Apple doesn’t offer anything like Air Command for the Pencil Pro. Instead, Apple allows app developers to create their own pop-up menus with varying functions.
The confusion seemingly stems from the fact that Apple used a generic example in its presentation — an example that bears a visual similarity with Samsung’s old semi-circular Air Command menu design. However, functionality-wise, these two menus are vastly different and even look different in practice.
Unlike the S Pen, the Pencil Pro doesn’t have a physical button but a pressure-sensitive Squeeze function. When iPad users squeeze the Pencil Pro while using a drawing app, a contextual menu appears, containing whatever shortcuts and features the app’s developer decided to include. This menu can take a variety of forms — it’s not bound to the generic semi-circle design Apple used in its promotional shots.
Some iPad OS apps will offer shortcuts to paint brushes. Others will offer shortcuts to manipulate the canvas in different ways, such as flipping it or rotating it. The seemingly generic example Apple used in its promotional slides (left image below) has a mild visual resemblance to the old Air Command menu, but real iPad OS apps, such as Procreate (right image), use completely different layouts and functions.
Regardless of how you feel about this, the truth of the matter is that the S Pen button and the arguably overrated Air Command menu are not nearly as versatile as Apple’s Squeeze feature and contextual menus. They don’t fulfill the same purpose, and similarities are only skin-deep.
And although Android app developers could, in theory, assign richer functions to the S Pen button, unrelated to the Air Command menu, that rarely happens. App developers simply don’t support the S Pen as much as we would have liked.
Aside from the aforementioned Squeeze function, which should feel more ergonomic than the inconveniently placed S Pen button, the Pencil Pro offers many other features that the S Pen either lacks altogether or doesn’t capitalize on as much as it could.
One such feature is Find My. iPad users will be able to locate their misplaced Pencil Pros with high precision using Apple’s Find My service.
Samsung’s S Pen doesn’t have this. The S Pen Pro offered compatibility with SmartThings Find, but the S Pen Pro is no longer on sale, and the standard S Pen is missing out on Find. The best the S Pen can offer is a proximity alert.
Tilt and rotate functions that are actually usable, plus haptic
The Pencil Pro also offers a tilt function that is extensively supported by app developers. In theory, at least, Samsung’s S Pen supports tilt, but it’s known to be unreliable, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find apps that actually take full advantage of it. The S Pen Creator Edition, sold separately, touts “Enhanced Tilt” capabilities, but this is a passive stylus and lacks Bluetooth.
Unfortunately, things aren’t getting any better for the beloved S Pen. Apple went even more extra, and the Pencil Pro incorporates a gyroscope that powers a Barrel Roll feature.
Barrel Roll allows Pencil Pro users to rotate brushes with extremely high precision. Once again, the S Pen does, in theory, support this type of gesture, but in practice, it is rarely used by apps, likely due to a lack of precise accuracy or potential issues concerning poor support.
Last but not least, the Pencil Pro now has a haptic feedback motor, which can vibrate gently to help users align cropped objects and more. Samsung’s S Pen doesn’t have anything like this, and Apple is clearly thinking ahead.
Samsung can learn a lot from this
It hurts to say this, but he Apple Pencil Pro seems to give the S Pen a run for its money. I can’t deny I feel a bit of envy, not only because the Pencil Pro is better supported by app developers but also due to the fact that it offers better hardware and smarter capabilities.
Story continues after the video…
One thing Samsung offers that Apple doesn’t is fantastic stylus support for phones. The Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 enable a different kind of S Pen experience focused more on note-taking and hand-writing. It is more limiting due to the smaller screens, but at least Samsung doesn’t have any competition in this particular niche.
As for the stylus experience on tablets, Samsung is losing the game to Apple. The company will hopefully accept the challenge and improve the S Pen for future Galaxy Tab S models. Otherwise, it will be left behind by its rival.
Earlier this week, Apple introduced a new top-end stylus, the Pencil Pro, but didn’t discontinue any older model. That means there are now four styluses to choose from, channeling the chaotic lineup energy of Apple Watch and iPad families over the years. Because not every Pencil works with every iPad, we explain the best choices.
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Results could include citations.
OpenAI is reportedly working on a search feature for ChatGPT that could make the chatbot capable of things you’d normally use Google Search for. According to Bloomberg, it’ll be able to scour the web for answers to your queries and spit out results, complete with sourcing. ChatGPT could take information from Wikipedia or blog posts, for instance, and link to their original pages when you ask it questions.
Earlier this month, DataChaz on X, reported that OpenAI had created a new subdomain with the address search.chatgpt.com. It apparently briefly rerouted to the main ChatGPT page over the weekend.
Marvel and Industrial Light & Magic just announced an Apple Vision Pro title based on Marvel’s What If…?, the current Disney+ show that just finished its second season. It’ll be an hour-long experience with interactive story elements where you choose the story’s direction. Imagine that: an alternate cinematic universe where I was a Vision Pro early adopter.
Buying a new phone is slightly easier if you’ve already determined you only want an iPhone. (And even then, Apple’s lineup offers more options than ever.) However, if you’re looking for an Android device, there are even more options — and likely more questions. Do you want a camera that can zoom into extremely far-away subjects (Samsung’s Galaxy S series)? Or do you want intuitive AI to screen incoming calls for you? (May I interest you in Google’s Pixel series?) Or maybe it’s time to get into foldables…
The event also gave us a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad, which was a welcome inclusion, but there’s still one Apple accessory that I absolutely hate, and wish Apple would show some love to. Of course, I’m talking about the Magic Mouse.
The iconic Magic Mouse has remained virtually unchanged in terms of design since its release in 2009, and while it feels good to use thanks to its clean design and multi-touch gesture support, it’s frankly not a great mouse. Not only is it expensive, but it also lacks any side buttons, doesn’t utilize its multi-touch capabilities enough, and worst of all: the charging port is on the bottom!
Time for a redesign
With Apple making waves in the AI space as well as forging ahead with new silicon in the M4 chip, it’s about time that the humble Magic Mouse got a redesign. It doesn’t need to be anything huge; just accept that convenience is better than aesthetics and no mouse should be unusable while charging. I personally use a trusty Logitech G502 Lightspeed as my day-to-day mouse at home, which I can plug in and keep using whenever it runs low on battery.
Apple has something of a history of prioritizing form over function, from the lack of buttons on the 3rd-generation iPad Shuffle to the ridiculous charging method for the original Apple Pencil. The Magic Mouse is probably the most egregious example of this – having to flip the mouse upside down to charge it is just absurd, reducing its functionality for the sake of a ‘more perfect’ appearance. The long battery life is no excuse, Apple.
I’m hoping we’ll see an overhaul for the Magic Mouse – and possibly the Magic Keyboard for Mac, another (admittedly far superior) accessory that could also use a fresh look – at Apple’s WWDC 2024 event in June. With the M4 chip now officially revealed, we’re likely to see predictions of a new M4 Mac and MacBook lineup come true – so hopefully Mac accessories won’t be left behind.
Apple unveiled a slew of new iPads on Tuesday, and the updates have brought a bit more clarity to the company’s tablet selection. Yes, there are still six different models in total, but the lines separating those slates are more firmly drawn: You have a good option (the base iPad), a better option (the iPad Air) and a best option (the iPad Pro). Both the Air and Pro are available in 11- or 13-inch frames, but those SKUs are more or less identical outside of their size. The iPad mini, meanwhile, is still off to the side for the relatively small niche that prefers a compact tablet.
Within those announcements, however, the Apple Pencil became even more of a mess. Apple introduced a new top-end stylus, the Pencil Pro, but didn’t discontinue any older model. As a result, prospective shoppers now have four (4!) different styluses to choose from. Each has different features, two are the same price, and only the lowest-end model works with every iPad in Apple’s now-current lineup. And the highest-end version prior to yesterday is no longer compatible with the latest iPad Air or iPad Pro.
This is pretty bad! Exactly how Apple got here may stem from what the company calls a “new magnetic interface.” This is what the Pencil Pro uses to connect and charge with compatible iPads, which in this case only includes the new iPad Airs and iPad Pros. Those tablets have been redesigned to place their front-facing cameras on the long edge, which is a welcome change in a vacuum, but could have resulted in the devices no longer supporting the charging system used by the second-generation Pencil. Apple hasn’t formally confirmed any of this, however. When reached for comment, the company did not provide additional information aside from noting that the new Pencil charging and pairing interface was created to work with the latest tablets’ designs and accommodate their landscape front cameras.
It’s more than possible that we’re in an awkward transitional period, with the first- and second-gen Pencils on the way out whenever the entry-level iPad and iPad mini are refreshed. As it is today, though, it’d be hard for digital artists and note-takers to look at the Pencil lineup as anything but chaotic. That there’s a “lineup” at all, and not one product that just works with every iPad, feels like a condemnation in itself. But if you’re in the market for a new Pencil and not sure which one to get, we’ve broken down the current offerings below.
Apple
Who should get it?: Those who plan on buying the iPad Air (M2) or iPad Pro (M4) at any point in the near future (most likely).
Pros
Latest and most advanced Pencil, with squeeze gesture, gyroscope and Find My support
The Apple Pencil Pro is the newest and most technically advanced Pencil. It costs $129 and is up for pre-order now, with full availability starting on May 15. As noted above, it’s only compatible with Apple’s latest tablets: the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air (M2), and the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro (M4).
To keep things simple, if you’re going to buy one of those iPads, this is almost certainly the stylus you should get. We still need to review it, but it’s essentially an upgraded version of the second-gen Pencil, which we previously recommended in our guide to the best iPad accessories. It has virtually the same comfortable shape and matte finish, though it’s technically 0.05 ounces lighter. It still supports pressure sensitivity, so your marks will be darker if you press down with more force, and tilt detection, so you can hold it at an angle for light shading and similar effects. It still pairs and charges magnetically, and it can still utilize a “double-tap” feature that lets you quickly swap between tools in certain apps. With certain iPads, a “hover” feature allows you to interact with elements on screen by holding the stylus just over the display.
The Pencil Pro has a few exclusive perks on top of that. You can squeeze it to open a contextual menu for changing colors, line weights and similar tools. A built-in gyroscope can detect when you roll the stylus, which should make it simpler to change the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools. There’s a haptic engine to deliver more tangible feedback as you use the pen. And, maybe most conveniently, it works with Apple’s Find My network, so it should be easier to locate if you ever misplace it.
Apple
Who should get it?: Those who own an older iPad Pro or iPad Air, or the current iPad mini, and will not upgrade to a new iPad anytime soon.
The second-generation Pencil was released in 2018 and remained Apple’s best stylus until this week. It, too, costs $129, though recent sales have dropped it as low as $79. It’s compatible with the following iPads: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gen), 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gen), iPad Air (4th and 5th gen) and iPad mini (6th gen).
To reiterate, Apple says it is not compatible with any of the iPad Airs or iPad Pros announced on Tuesday. Yes, paying $129 for a stylusonly to be forced into replacing it a generation or two later is obnoxious.
The second-gen Pencil lacks the squeeze and “barrel roll” gestures, increased haptic feedback and Find My support of the Pencil Pro. Otherwise, it includes all of the same core features. If you own one of the compatible iPads listed above and do not plan on upgrading anytime soon, it’s the Pencil to buy, as it remains a significant upgrade over Apple’s lower-cost models. But if you plan to buy a new iPad Air or iPad Pro in the near future and don’t desperately need a stylus today, it’s worth holding off and buying the Pencil Pro alongside your new tablet, as much as that sucks.
Apple
Who should get it?: Those who must have an Apple stylus but can’t afford the Pencil Pro/second-gen Pencil and only care about casual writing. Also, iPad (10th gen) owners who don’t care about pressure sensitivity. Some third-party options may be a better value, however, depending on sale prices.
Pros
Less expensive than Pencil Pro and second-gen Pencil
The USB-C Apple Pencil was released late last year and effectively serves as Apple’s “budget” stylus. With a list price of $79, it’s still not outright cheap, though we’ve seen it go for $10 less with recent discounts.
This is the only Pencil that’s compatible with every iPad in Apple’s current lineup: the iPad Air (M2), iPad Pro (M4), iPad (10th gen) and iPad mini (6th gen). Besides those, it works with the the older 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd-6th gen), 11-inch iPad Pro (1st-4th gen) and iPad Air (4th and 5th gen).
However, it’s also a clear downgrade from the Pencil Pro and second-gen Pencil, as it lacks pressure sensitivity and magnetic charging support. The former means it’s less precise for illustrations, while the latter means you’ll need a USB-C cable handy when it comes time to recharge the device. You can still attach the USB-C Pencil to the side of iPads with magnetic holders, which is convenient, but it won’t power up. It doesn’t work with Apple’s double-tap feature, either, though it does support “hover” and basics like tilt sensitivity. It’s also slightly shorter than the higher-end models.
For most people who care about drawing or note-taking enough to buy an Apple Pencil in the first place, I’d recommend just paying up for the Pencil Pro or second-gen Pencil, depending on your iPad. But for those who really want to save cash and may only want a stylus for casual writing or generally navigating their device, the USB-C Pencil could make sense. This is especially the case for the iPad (10th gen), which doesn’t work with either of Apple’s superior models.
Apple
Who should get it?: Just about nobody, unless you plan to use the iPad (10th gen) or an older Lightning-based iPad for the foreseeable future and need pressure sensitivity for drawing.
The original Apple Pencil was introduced way back in 2015. Apple still sells it for $99, though these days it’s frequently available for $20 to $30 less at other retailers. Most people can safely ignore it: The only modern iPad it works with is the entry-level iPad (10th gen), but even then it requires a Lighting to USB-C adapter to charge, which looks ridiculous and gives you more things to potentially lose. It can’t attach magnetically, and it has a glossier, more rounded design that can more easily roll away on a flat table. It also lacks most of the more advanced features found in newer Pencils.
The one thing the first-gen Pencil does have over the USB-C model, though, is pressure sensitivity. Yes, even though it’s eight years older, it’s technically better in at least one meaningful way. So, if you own the iPad (10th gen) and are willing to deal with the dongle-ridden charging situation in exchange for a more precise drawing experience, there’s a world in which the first-gen Pencil is still justifiable. But most people in that situation should just step up to an iPad Air and the Pencil Pro.
Just for posterity, here’s the list of iPads that support the first-gen Pencil: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd gen), 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini (5th gen) and iPad (6th-10th gen).
In addition to new features like a squeeze gesture, gyroscope, and Find My support, it turns out that the Apple Pencil Pro has a fun packaging twist.
As noted by Arun Maini and Nikias Molina, Apple has created five different box designs for the Apple Pencil Pro, each with the word “Pro” in a unique style. When you buy an Apple Pencil Pro, you will receive one of the five boxes at random.
Thought this was pretty fun
The Apple Pencil Pro has 5 different types of box and you have no idea which you’ll get when you order it
Also each one has the word “Pro” on it in some shape or form pic.twitter.com/1QQO5akZWW
— Arun Maini (@Mrwhosetheboss) May 8, 2024
Key new features of the Apple Pencil Pro include the ability to squeeze the accessory to bring up a tool palette, a gyroscope that allows users to roll the Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of shaped pen and brush tools, haptic feedback for certain actions, and the ability to find the Apple Pencil in the Find My app if it is misplaced.
Priced at $129, the Apple Pencil Pro is only compatible with the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models announced this week. The first-generation Apple Pencil, second-generation Apple Pencil, and lower-cost Apple Pencil with a USB-C port all remain available, making the Apple Pencil lineup more complex than ever for the time being.
You can order the Apple Pencil Pro now, and it launches May 15.
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With the launch of the refreshed iPad Air and iPad Pro models, Apple introduced a new “Apple Pencil Pro.” No Apple Pencil options have been discontinued, which means there are now four total Apple Pencils to choose from.
While the updated iPad Pro and iPad Air are compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C Apple Pencil, they do not work with the Apple Pencil 2. Older iPads are also not able to work with the Apple Pencil Pro.
The Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil 2 are both priced at $129, while the Apple Pencil 1 is priced at $99 and the Apple Pencil USB-C is $79.
Compared to older Apple Pencil models, the Apple Pencil Pro supports squeeze gestures, roll gestures, haptic feedback, and Find My.
Apple’s “Let Loose” event kicks off today at the unusual time of 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and we’re expecting to see an iPad-focused event with new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company’s TV app across various platforms. We…
Apple today unveiled redesigned iPad Pro models featuring the M4 chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays, a nano-texture display option, and more. The new iPad Pro offers a considerably thinner design and slightly larger 11- and 13-inch display size options. The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs less than a pound, while the 13-inch model is just 5.1mm thick and weighs a quarter pound less …
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Apple just announced a new iPad Air and iPad Pro, bringing in more powerful tablets and OLED displays for the Pro models. However, I’m more hyped about the accessories; in particular, the new Apple Pencil Pro.
The Apple Pencil Pro offers a whole new range of features and upgrades that have me super excited to get back into digital art. The pencil now offers a new barrel sensor, which means you can squeeze the pen lightly to bring up a new tool panel (similar to how you pinch your AirPods to pause and play music).
No longer will you be holding a static stick of plastic; the Apple Pencil Pro is incredibly responsive thanks to the addition of haptics. Alongside that, you can now roll the new Apple Pencil to control the selected brush or editing tool, opening the doors to more depth to art or 3D models and allowing you to take full control of your work.
Pro-creation
(Image credit: Apple)
The announcement featured James Cuda, the CEO of popular art tool Procreate, to introduce all the cool new things Apple Pencil Pro can facilitate.
My favorite as a novice Procreate user, is the ability to hover and squeeze the pencil to swap between layers, which is an absolute lifesaver when you’re creating art and get lost between the dozens of layers you end up needing. The roll feature also debuts alongside new brushes in Procreate for you to take advantage of.
(Image credit: Apple)
As for Procreate Dreams animators, don’t worry, you’ve not been left out: you’ll be able to pick up and swipe over elements of your drawing in Procreate and swipe them right over to Dream with the Apple Pencil Pro. Plus, if you wish to animate only a single element in the frame, you can use the pencil to manipulate the object to add a more realistic ‘free-hand’ look.
Perhaps my favorite new feature of the Apple Pencil Pro is the support for Find My tracking system, which could be an absolute lifesaver for users who misplace Apple products. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost my Apple Pencil, just to have to tear the whole house apart looking for it because it’s not supported like my Airpods or iPhone.
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A pricey professional Pencil
(Image credit: Apple)
In terms of pricing, the Apple Pencil Pro retails for $129 / £129 / AU$219 on the Apple Store, which makes it the most expensive Apple Pencil on the site. The price does seem a little steep, especially since the older versions are not nearly as expensive. But it is a ‘Pro’ device (something that has consistently been associated with higher prices in Apple’s product lineup) and has a whole bunch of new features, so I can’t be too mad about it.
Of course, the Apple Pencil Pro will charge and store magnetically to the side of your iPad. However, according to the Apple website the Apple Pencil Pro is only compatible with the new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro. As someone with a very dusty A14 iPad Air, I am somewhat disappointed, though there is always a chance this could change in the future. And the new iPads are impressive enough that many existing users may be tempted to upgrade.
But what’s grinding my gears is that the new Apple Pencil Pro works only with the new 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Yes, even if you spent $1,099 on the 2022 iPad Pro two years ago, you cannot use this new “Pro” stylus on that model. You’ll have to upgrade. This is probably a good time to mention that the 2024 iPad Pro models are more expensive across the board, starting at $999 for the 11-incher and $1,199 for the 13-inch model (a $200 and $100 jump, respectively).
Know what’s worse? If you thought you could upgrade to the new iPad Pro or iPad Air from an older iPad and keep using the second-gen Apple Pencil you already own, think again. The new iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets only work with the two newest styli: the Apple Pencil (USB-C) that came out last year and the new Apple Pencil Pro. So if you are an avid Pencil user and want one of the new slates, you probably have to buy a new Apple Pencil.
Apple would not comment on the record about this when I attended an iPad hands-on event today. The company’s marketing materials do highlight a “new magnetic interface” for the Apple Pencil Pro, which is the interface the Apple Pencil uses to recharge, pair, and stay attached to the tablet. However, there are no details on what exactly is “new” about this interface besides the fact that Apple had to move its placement slightly to accommodate the iPad’s front-facing landscape camera. The new interface doesn’t offer faster or more efficient charging, faster pairing, or more secure magnets—nothing of the sort. It feels practically identical to the existing system.
And the Apple Pencil is a stylus. For the love of god, it should be one of the easiest things to make backward compatible. So what if the Squeeze gestures might not work on an older iPad? I don’t think it’s difficult to indicate that certain new features won’t be available on older tablets; Apple already does this with its software updates. Certain new features in iOS don’t work on older iPhones, even if the hardware is still supported. At the very least, let the customers who have bought your stylus from years past use it on the new models. I can’t find a good reason why a second-generation Apple Pencil would just not be compatible at all.
You can’t use this Pencil on older iPads.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The only answer I am coming up with is the lack of processing power on older slates, but if the M2 chipset inside the 2022 iPad Pro is already not powerful enough to handle a few new stylus tricks, that doesn’t speak very well to the performance prowess of Apple’s silicon.
It’s all very silly. The Apple Pencil Pro, second-gen Apple Pencil, and USB-C Apple Pencil at the least should work on all of Apple’s current lineup, regardless if certain functions are not available. There probably also shouldn’t be four Pencils to choose from in the first place.
“It just works” is the motto often equated with everything Apple. Not so with the Apple Pencil.
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Apple now offers four different Apple Pencil models at $79, $99, and $129 price points, each with different feature sets and compatibility. Our guide helps you decide which Apple Pencil is best for you.
Which Apple Pencil you should buy is firstly determined by which iPad model you have. Some iPad models are only compatible with one kind of Apple Pencil, while others are compatible with two. If your iPad model only supports one kind of Apple Pencil, your buying decision is straightforward. Use the table below to find out which Apple Pencil models your iPad supports:
iPad (sixth-, seventh-, eighth-, ninth-, and tenth-generation)
iPad (tenth-generation)
Simply put, if your iPad features a Lightning connector, it is only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil, providing it has Apple Pencil support at all. It will not work with the second-generation Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil with USB-C. If your iPad features a USB-C port, it is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil with USB-C, except the tenth-generation iPad, which supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil with USB-C, and the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro, which support the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C.
It is worth noting that the first-generation Apple Pencil is only compatible with the tenth-generation iPad using a USB-C cable and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. It is not possible to use the first-generation Apple Pencil this way with any other iPad model that has a USB-C port.
All four Apple Pencil models feature “pixel-perfect” precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, but feature different designs, pairing and charging methods, pressure sensitivity capabilities, and more. The below table lists all hardware and feature differences between the different Apple Pencil models.
Apple Pencil (first-generation, 2015)
Apple Pencil (second-generation, 2018)
Apple Pencil (USB-C, 2023)
Apple Pencil Pro (2024)
Glossy finish
Matte finish
Matte finish
Matte finish
Weighted to prevent rolling
Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad
Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad
Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad
Attaches magnetically for storage, pairing, and charging
Attaches magnetically for storage
Attaches magnetically for storage, pairing, and charging
6.92-inch length
6.53-inch length
6.1-inch length
[Currently unknown]
Removable cap
Non-removable sliding cap
Lightning connector
USB-C port
Pair and charge via Lightning port or USB-C cable and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter
First-Generation Apple Pencil vs. Apple Pencil With USB-C
Most users should choose the Apple Pencil with USB-C. For a price of just $79, the Apple Pencil with USB-C provides a good balance of features with a more modern design. It also has the added advantage of being compatible with a wide range of models and will likely work with all new iPad models for many years to come.
It is only worth opting for the first-generation Apple Pencil if you specifically want pressure-sensitivity for activities like illustration, since the Apple Pencil with USB-C does not have this feature. Buyers should be aware that this model comes at a $20 premium, requires a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter with the tenth-generation iPad, and will not be compatible with any future iPad models. It also cannot be magnetically attached to an iPad for storage, features a larger and older design, and has a removable cap over the Lightning connector that’s easy to lose.
Second-Generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro vs. Apple Pencil With USB-C
If choosing between the second-generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil with USB-C, the second-generation and Pro models are a better choice on account of their superior feature set, but this requires spending an additional $50. Double-tap to change tools and pressure-sensitivity may be particularly useful additions for illustrators, while the easy pairing and charging on the side of an iPad provides a much better experience than a wired connection with a USB-C cable.
If you have only basic needs for activities like handwriting notes and marking up documents, the Apple Pencil with USB-C is still a great option at a much more affordable price point. It even supports Apple Pencil hover on the newer iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
