Apple unveiled a slew of new iPads on Tuesday, and the updates brought a little more clarity to the company’s tablet lineup. Yes, there are still six different models in total, but the lines separating these slates are more firmly drawn: you have a good option (the base iPad), a better option (iPad Air), and the best option (iPad Pro). Both the Air and Pro come in 11- or 13-inch frames, but those SKUs are more or less identical outside of their size. Meanwhile, the iPad mini is still out of the relatively small niche that favors a compact tablet.
Within those announcements, however, the Apple Pencil became an even bigger mess. Apple introduced a new top-of-the-line stylus, the Pencil Pro, but didn’t discontinue any older models. As a result, prospective buyers already 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 current lineup. And the top-of-the-line version before yesterday is no longer compatible with the latest iPad Air or iPad Pro.
That’s pretty bad! How exactly did Apple get here? can derive from that which company calls “new magnetic interface”. This is what the Pencil Pro uses to connect and charge compatible iPads, which in this case only includes the new iPad Airs and iPad Pros. These tablets have been redesigned to place their front 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. However, Apple has not officially confirmed any of this. When reached for comment, the company did not provide additional information, other than to note that the Pencil’s new charging and pairing interface is designed to work with the latest tablet designs and accommodate their landscape front-facing cameras.
It’s more than possible that we’re in an awkward transition period, with first- and second-generation Pencils coming out every time the base iPad and iPad mini are refreshed. As it stands today, however, it would be hard for digital artists and note-takers to view Pencil’s lineup as anything but chaotic. That there is a “series” at all, and not one such product it just works with any iPad, in itself feels like condemnation. But if you’re in the market for a new pencil and aren’t sure which one to get, we’ve broken down the current offerings below.
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Who should get it?: Those planning to buy an iPad Air (M2) or iPad Pro (M4) at any point in the near future (most likely).
- The latest and most advanced pencil, with squeeze gesture, gyroscope and Find My support
- Only works with the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro
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 put it simply, if you’re going to buy one of these iPads, this is almost certainly the stylus to get. We’ve yet to review it, but it’s essentially an improved version of the second-generation Pencil that we previously recommended in our guide to the best iPad accessories. It has almost the same comfortable shape and matte finish, though it’s technically 0.05 ounces lighter. It still maintains 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 slight shading and similar effects. It still pairs and charges magnetically and can still use “double tap” a feature that lets you quickly switch between tools in certain apps. With some iPads, “rotation” feature allows you to interact with elements on the screen by holding the stylus just above the display.
In addition, the Pencil Pro has several outstanding advantages. You can squeeze it to open a context menu for changing colors, line weights, and similar tools. The built-in gyroscope can detect when you rotate the stylus, which should make it easier to change the orientation of the shaped pen and brush tools. It has a tactile mechanism to provide more tangible feedback while using the pen. And, perhaps most conveniently, it works with Apple Find my networkso it should be easier to find if you ever lose it.
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Who should get it?: Those who own an older iPad Pro or iPad Air, or the current iPad mini and won’t be upgrading to a new iPad anytime soon.
- Accurate, comfortable and well equipped
- Does not support the latest iPad, iPad Air or iPad Pro
The Second generation pencil was released in 2018 and remained Apple’s best stylus until this week. It also costs $129, although recent sales have dropped it to $79. Compatible with the following iPads: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation), 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation), iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation).
To reiterate, Apple says it is no compatible with any of the iPad Airs or iPad Pros announced Tuesday. Yes, I’m paying $129 for a stylus only to be forced to replace it a generation or two later is disgusting.
The second-generation Pencil lacks the squeeze and “barrel scroll” gestures, increased haptic feedback, and Find My support of the Pencil Pro. Otherwise, it includes all the same basic features. If you own one of the compatible iPads listed above and don’t plan on upgrading anytime soon, this is the Pencil to buy, as it remains a significant upgrade over Apple’s cheaper models. But if you’re planning to buy a new iPad Air or iPad Pro in the near future and you’re not in desperate need of a stylus today, it’s worth holding off and buying the Pencil Pro along with your new tablet, no matter how badass it is.
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Who should get it?: Those who must have an Apple stylus but can’t afford a Pencil Pro/2nd generation pencil and are only interested in casual writing. Also iPad (10th gen) owners who don’t care about pressure sensitivity. some third party options however, it may be a better value depending on sale prices.
- Cheaper than Pencil Pro and second generation Pencil
- Lacks pressure sensitivity and wireless charging
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 exactly cheap, although we’ve seen it go for $10 less with recent discounts.
It’s the only pencil that’s compatible with every iPad in Apple’s current lineup: iPad Air (M2), iPad Pro (M4), iPad (10th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation). Apart from them, it works with older 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd-6th generation), 11-inch iPad Pro (1st-4th generation) and iPad Air (4th and 5th generation).
However, it’s also a clear step down from the Pencil Pro and the second-generation Pencil, as it lacks pressure sensitivity and magnetic charging support. The former means that it is less accurate for illustrations, while the latter means you will need A USB-C cable comes in handy when it’s time to recharge your device. You can still attach the USB-C pencil to the side of the iPad with magnetic holders, which is convenient, but it won’t turn on. It also doesn’t work with Apple’s double-tap feature, although it supports “hold” and basics like tilt sensitivity. It’s also slightly shorter than higher-end models.
For most people interested in drawing or taking notes enough to buy an Apple Pencil in the first place, I’d recommend just paying for a Pencil Pro or a second-generation Pencil, depending on your iPad. But for those who really want to save money and may only want a stylus for casual writing or generally navigating their device, the USB-C Pencil might make sense. This is especially true for the iPad (10th generation), which doesn’t work with any of Apple’s better models.
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Who should get it?: Almost none, unless you plan to use an iPad (10th generation) or an older Lightning-based iPad for the foreseeable future and need pressure sensitivity for drawing.
- The most affordable pressure sensitive pencil
- Ancient and not compatible with most new iPads
The original Apple Pencil was introduced back in 2015. Apple still sells it for $99, though today it is often 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 generation), but even then it requires a Lighting to USB-C adapter for charging, which it looks ridiculous and gives you more to potentially lose. It can’t be magnetically attached and has a sleeker, more rounded design that can be rolled more easily on a flat table. It also lacks most of the more advanced features found in newer Pencils.
The only thing the first-gen pencil has over the USB-C model, however, is pressure sensitivity. Yes, despite being eight years older, it is technically superior in at least one meaningful way. So if you own an iPad (10th gen) and are willing to deal with the dongle charging situation in exchange for a more precise drawing experience, there’s a world out there where the first gen pencil is still justified. But most people in this situation should just switch to the iPad Air and Pencil Pro.
Just for the future, here’s the list of iPads that support the first-generation Pencil: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation), 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), and iPad (6th-10th generation).
https://www.engadget.com/the-apple-pencil-lineup-is-a-mess-so-heres-a-guide-to-which-one-you-should-buy-190040913.html?src=rss
