This Is the Apple Pencil You Should Buy
The Apple Pencil comes with a keyboard case and is an easy iPad accessory to buy. It turns your iPad into a notepad, sketchbook, and drawing tablet, and along the way you’ll find plenty of everyday uses for the Pencil. (Instead of typing into a text box, try writing in it.)
But it gets confusing when you’re trying to buy one of these Apple styluses for yourself. Apple currently sells three Apple Pencils for iPad, including a brand new one that uses USB-C . It’s not just a matter of how much you’re willing to spend: Each Apple Pencil is only compatible with a select set of iPad models. You can’t buy the most expensive Apple Pencil and just assume it will work with your tablet—you need to buy one that actually works with it.
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
This is Apple’s first Apple Pencil, and unlike other first-generation products, the company is still selling it. It retails for $99 and may be worth the price. It has tilt and pressure sensitivity, so programs recognize when you tilt the pencil and press harder or weaker. In theory, this allows you to draw and write on the iPad just like you would with a pencil and paper: the angle of the pencil is perfect for shading, and pressing harder creates deeper colors and larger patterns.
However, things get weird when you go to charge it. This pencil has a removable cap on the end with a Lightning port, just like your iPhone’s cable. To charge the Pencil, simply insert it into the base of the iPad. This is an unusual design and you need to be careful with it as you may accidentally break the pencil.
While this pencil lacks many of the features of Apple’s new styluses, for many iPad owners it’s the only option. The following iPads only support Apple Pencil (1st generation), so if you have one, you’ll need to buy this particular Pencil:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inches (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5 inches
- iPad Pro 9.7 inches
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th generations)
The 10th generation iPad can use this pencil, but for the first time it is compatible with each other. (More on this later.)
Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
Three years after the first Apple Pencil, Apple introduced the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). This pencil was an excellent upgrade from the original. It syncs and charges magnetically, and when you’re not using it, you attach it to the side of your iPad; the next time you need it, it’s already charged and ready to go. Bye, clicking pencils.
But it’s not just charging improvements that make the Pencil better. It also has new features: you can double-tap the side of the Pencil to switch between the drawing and writing tools, and if you have an iPad Pro M2, you can see a preview of your Pencil mark before you actually touch the screen. Plus, Apple will engrave this pencil for you—the only Apple Pencil for which it offers this service.
With a suggested retail price of $129, it’s an expensive peripheral, and for a long time it was the only Apple Pencil compatible with the following iPads:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation)
- iPad Pro 11 inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation)
- iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
However, that is no longer the case as Apple has made the latest Apple Pencil available to order:
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
This pencil is Apple’s latest creation, touted as the “most affordable Apple Pencil.” Apple prices it at $79, which is the lowest suggested retail price for one of these styluses. But for that price, the company has made compromises that you wouldn’t think are worth the cost savings.
At first glance, this pencil looks almost identical to the second generation Apple Pencil. It even connects to the iPad magnetically, unlike the first generation Pencil. One big difference, however, is the movable top that slides out to reveal a USB-C charging port inside. It’s an odd design that makes charging the pencil less intuitive than any other pencil.
That’s right: This pencil connects to your iPad magnetically, but doesn’t charge. On top of that, it doesn’t support pressure sensitivity or double-tap to switch tools, the first of which I would really miss. This definitely hurts the Pencil’s ability as an artistic tool, as your lines will look the same no matter how hard or soft you press.
However, for the first time, Apple is offering some iPad owners a choice between two Apple Pencils. Apple Pencil USB-C is compatible with all iPads that can use the second generation Apple Pencil, as well as the 10th generation iPad. Here’s the full list:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation)
- iPad Pro 11 inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation)
- iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
That means you can save $40 on the Pencil for a compatible iPad if you don’t mind the compromises. For owners of the 10th generation iPad, the solution is similar: you can save $20 on this model compared to the first generation Apple Pencil. Plus, you don’t have to worry about buying a USB-C adapter to charge your Pencil from your iPad.
Which pencil should I buy?
If you have an iPad that’s only compatible with the first generation Pencil, your choice is simple. However, if you’re in the transition range and have a choice between the USB-C Pencil and the second-gen option, you’ll have a decision to make.
In my opinion, this is completely the second generation. Magnetic charging itself is what makes the Pencil great, but so is all the extra bells and whistles it has over the USB-C option. In addition, stores often sell second-generation Pencils. Amazon put the second-generation Apple Pencil on sale for $89 between October 26 and October 31, according to Amazon Keepa price tracker. It’s only $10 more than the USB-C option for a better product.
If you want the cheapest pencil for your compatible iPad, choose the USB-C Pencil. But as far as I’m concerned, a discounted second-gen Pencil is a move.