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Apple Pencil (second Technology)
Our peak select
$120 $129 Save $9
The Apple Pencil (second Technology) continues to be probably the most feature-packed Apple Pencil up to now, with drive sensitivity, double faucet gestures, and hover make stronger. In case you are having a look to get most software out of an Apple Pencil, that is the only to make a choice.
Execs- Wi-fi charging and pairing
- Force delicate
- Double faucet gestures
Cons- Dearer
- No longer appropriate with iPad (tenth Technology)
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Apple Pencil (USB-C)
An ideal choice
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is probably the most inexpensive Apple Pencil up to now. While it is lacking one of the vital options of the costliest type, it nonetheless has some nice options together with tilt sensitivity and hover make stronger. It is a forged selection if you are on the cheap.
Execs- Low worth
- Helps hover on iPad Professional
- Tilt sensitivity
Cons- No wi-fi charging
- No double faucet gesture
- No drive sensitivity
Key Takeaways
- The brand new Apple Pencil (USB-C) is probably the most inexpensive Apple Pencil up to now, making it a extra obtainable choice for the ones whom the fee tag has cast off.
- The Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (second Technology) have identical designs and weights, however the USB-C model is moderately shorter and fatter. It additionally has a retractable finish that finds its charging port.
- Whilst the Apple Pencil (second Technology) has drive sensitivity and double faucet gesture features, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) lacks those options. Alternatively, it nonetheless gives actual enter, tilt sensitivity, and the Hover function.
A brand new Apple instrument is sort of at all times a supply of significant pleasure, particularly amongst Apple enthusiasts. Once in a while, alternatively, the announcement is probably not a brand new iPhone or a brand new iPad however quite one thing that complements the ones units and most likely, subsequently, now not met with fairly the similar ranges of tension. That would most probably be stated for the announcement of the new Apple Pencil, however earlier than you put out of your mind it as a run of the mill announcement, there are some causes to get excited. Maximum significantly, in case you’ve sought after an Apple Pencil however had been cast off by way of the fee tag, the brand new Apple Pencil (USB-C) is probably the most inexpensive Apple Pencil up to now.
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How does the brand new Apple Pencil stack up in opposition to the top-of-the-range type – or the Apple Pencil (second Technology) as it’s formally identified? We now have when put next the options of the Apple Pencil (second Technology) in opposition to the Apple Pencil (USB-C) that can assist you resolve the diversities and what you may fail to spot.
Worth, specifications, and availability
The Apple Pencil (second Technology) was once launched in November 2018. It is to be had at $129/£139 from Apple, even supposing you’ll be able to recently get it for $119 from Amazon. You’ll be able to get it any color you need, so long as it is white.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is because of turn out to be to be had from early November 2023. It is priced at $79/$79 and could also be most effective to be had in white.
Let’s check out one of the vital key specifications to peer how the 2 Apple Pencils stack up.
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Apple Pencil (USB-C) Apple Pencil (second Technology) Logo Apple Apple Connectivity Bluetooth, USB-C Bluetooth Colour White White Weight 20.5g 20.7g Dimensions 155mm x 7.5mm 166 x 8.9mm
Design
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To start with look, the Apple Pencil (second Technology) and Apple Pencil (USB-C) glance precisely the similar. Unsurprisingly, they are formed like a pencil, as is the case with maximum styluses, with an extended, slender frame and a tapered tip. If pencils got here in all-white, that is what they might seem like. Each Apple Pencils also are identical in weight, with the Apple Pencil (second Technology) weighing 20.7g and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) weighing 20.5g. That is supposed to check the burden of a standard pencil.
Alternatively, there are a few variations between the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Apple Pencil (second Technology). The primary is that the brand new Apple Pencil is a little bit shorter and fatter. The Apple Pencil (second Technology) is 140.5mm lengthy, with a 16.5mm diameter. Compared, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is 129.5mm lengthy with an 18.3mm diameter. It is not an enormous distinction, nevertheless it continues to be observed how the smaller measurement of the Apple Pencil (USB-C) will impact the way it feels and handles.
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The second one key distinction is that the Apple Pencil (USB-C) has a retractable finish that finds its charging port and is accountable for its title. By means of sliding again the top, you disclose the USB-C port that you simply use to each price and pair the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Compared, the Apple Pencil (second Technology) has a forged frame without a retractable finish because it makes use of wi-fi charging and pairing, which we will be informed extra about later.
Force sensitivity
The Apple Pencil (second Technology) is drive delicate, this means that that what you might be drawing will reply to how onerous you press, simply as is the case with an actual pencil. In case you are urgent tougher, you can get a thicker line. In case you are urgent frivolously, the road will likely be thinner. It is a helpful function this is intuitive to make use of because it mimics the reaction of a standard pencil.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) does not be offering drive sensitivity, so you can get the similar output regardless of how onerous or comfortable you might be urgent down. The theory is that in case you are making plans to make use of the Apple Pencil for drawing or illustrative functions, then the second Technology type continues to be advisable. For day by day duties, alternatively, reminiscent of writing notes or marking up PDFs, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) must be capable to fill the ones wishes with out the drive sensitivity serve as.
Tilt sensitivity
Despite the fact that the Apple Pencil (USB-C) does not have drive sensitivity, it does have tilt sensitivity. That is some other function that mimics how an actual pencil works. You can get a skinny line if you are drawing with the end of the pencil most effective. Alternatively, in case you rub the aspect of the nib in opposition to the display screen like you could possibly with a pencil and paper when shading, you can get a shading impact. Tilt sensitivity is located on each the Apple Pencil (second Technology) and Apple Pencil (USB-C).
Hover
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No longer all the options of the Apple Pencil mimic what you’ll be able to do with an actual pencil. Some upload further helpful equipment that are not conceivable with a standard pencil. In case you are the usage of an iPad Professional, each the Apple Pencil (second Technology) and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) mean you can use an excessively helpful function known as Hover. This selection registers when your Apple Pencil is 12mm or much less above the show of the iPad Professional.
Hover can be utilized quite a few tactics, with probably the most intuitive being the power to preview a mark you will make earlier than you are making it. For instance, if you are the usage of Notes, you’ll be able to see the pen’s color and thickness earlier than you if truth be told draw the rest. It makes it a lot more straightforward to peer the mark that you are going to make with out the Apple Pencil (and your hand) obscuring your view. When you are erasing, you’ll be able to do a identical factor; by way of soaring over the show, you’ll be able to see what it might seem like while you erase one thing earlier than you will have if truth be told erased it. You’ll be able to additionally use Hover to navigate via device palettes.
Double faucet
Some other function that does not paintings with actual pencils, regardless of how onerous you check out, is the power to make use of a double faucet gesture to modify between other equipment when you are drawing temporarily. For instance, you’ll be able to temporarily transfer between a drawing device and an eraser simply by double-tapping the Apple Pencil (second Technology). When you need to modify again, simply double-tap once more. The double faucet gesture is not to be had at the Apple Pencil (USB-C).
Charging
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One of the most largest variations between the Apple Pencil (second Technology) and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is the way you price them. The Apple Pencil (USB-C) follows the lead of the unique Apple Pencil (1st Technology) and calls for you to plug it in to price bodily. Alternatively, in contrast to the Apple Pencil (1st Technology), the Apple Pencil (USB-C) fees by the use of a cable via its USB-C port quite than commencing the tip and plugging the Lightning adapter right into a appropriate port. Pull again the retractable finish of the Apple Pencil (USB-C), plug in a USB-C cable, and plug the opposite finish into persistent, and you’ll be able to price your Apple Pencil up.
The Apple Pencil (second Technology) dispenses with the cables and as an alternative fees wirelessly. In what feels a little bit bit like magic, all you wish to have to do is attach the Apple Pencil (second Technology) to the aspect of your iPad. It is going to snap into position magnetically, and you can see a temporary pop-up notification at the show of your iPad appearing the present price of your Apple Pencil (second Technology). While it stays connected to your iPad, it is going to price wirelessly till it reaches 100 consistent with cent.
You’ll be able to magnetically connect the Apple Pencil (USB-C) to the aspect of your iPad in the similar means, nevertheless it would possibly not wirelessly price. Alternatively, connecting it to the aspect of your iPad will put it right into a low-power mode with the intention to keep battery lifestyles.
Battery lifestyles
The Apple Pencil (second Technology) can run for as much as 12 hours between fees. The charging could also be extraordinarily speedy, permitting you to totally price the Apple Pencil (second Technology) in round 20 mins.
We now have but to take a look at out the Apple Pencil (USB-C), so the precise battery lifestyles stays unclear. The instrument is a little bit smaller, so it can be that the battery lifestyles is a little bit shorter than the Apple Pencil (second Technology). Alternatively, if the Apple Pencil (second Technology) does include a smaller battery, it must even be sooner to price it up absolutely. We will replace this newsletter with additional information as soon as we have now put the Apple Pencil (second Technology) via its paces.
Personalisation
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If you happen to order an Apple Pencil (second Technology), you’ll be able to have it engraved totally free. That prevents any fights with different Apple Pencil customers over whose Apple Pencil is whose while you drop them at the flooring. You have got your title engraved or simply your initials.
Engraving is not to be had for the Apple Pencil (USB-C), so you will have to get a hold of extra ingenious tactics of personalising your Apple Pencil (USB-C). In a pinch, you’ll be able to check out an Apple Pencil in your iPad to determine if it is yours or now not; your iPad will most effective paintings with an Apple Pencil that is been paired for your instrument.
What iPad fashions is the Apple Pencil (second Technology) appropriate with?
Because the Apple Pencil (second Technology) fees wirelessly, it is only appropriate with units which are in a position to price it. Those are as follows:
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (third, 4th, fifth, and sixth technology)
- iPad Professional 11-inch (1st, second, third, and 4th technology)
- iPad Air (4th and fifth technology)
- iPad mini (sixth Technology)
What iPad fashions is the Apple Pencil (1st Technology-USB-C) appropriate with?
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is appropriate with a moderately wider differ of fashions. Those come with:
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (third, 4th, fifth, and sixth technology)
- iPad Professional 11-inch (1st, second, third, and 4th technology)
- iPad Air (4th and fifth technology)
- iPad (tenth technology)
- iPad mini (sixth Technology)
Apple Pencil (USB-C) vs Apple Pencil (second Technology): Which must you select?
The Apple Pencil that you select will in the long run come down for your price range and the way you plan to make use of it. If you wish to get the utmost software from your Apple Pencil, then you can wish to opt for the Apple Pencil (second Technology). It has helpful options reminiscent of double-tap gestures and drive sensitivity that you’ll be able to’t get with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Additionally it is a lot much less of a trouble to price, as you’ll be able to simply connect it to the aspect of your iPad quite than having to debris round with cables and charging ports hidden below retractable lids.

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Apple Pencil (second Technology)
Editor’s Selection
$120 $129 Save $9
- Logo
- Apple
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Colour
- White
- Weight
- 20.7g
- Dimensions
- 166 x 8.9mm
Alternatively, if drive sensitivity is not that vital to you, and also you to find that wi-fi charging nonetheless feels a little bit like witchcraft, then the Apple Pencil (USB-C) can come up with numerous the important thing options of the Apple Pencil (second Technology) at a considerably lower cost. You get the similar precision and occasional latency of the Apple Pencil (second Technology) and will profit from helpful options reminiscent of tilt sensitivity. You’ll be able to even use the robust Hover function with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Alternatively, you’ll have to to find your personal approach to personalise the stylus.

Apple/ Pocket-lint
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
An ideal choice