Apple recently introduced the Apple Pencil Pro, making choosing a stylus for your iPad even more confusing. Four models of Apple Pencil are now available and their prices vary, so it can be difficult to figure out which one is best for you. We’re here to explain the differences between them and help you make a decision.
What are the four apple pencils?
There are four Apple Pencils. The $99 Apple Pencil (First Generation) was introduced in 2015 and updated in 2018. The $129 Apple Pencil (Second Generation) was released in 2021, while the $79 Apple Pencil (USB-C) arrived in November 2023. Apple Pencil Pro $129 dropped in May 2024. All four are available for sale and have features and functionality of different.
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How big is the apple pencil?
Apple Pencils are close in size, but not exactly the same.
From tip to cap, the Gen 1 Pencil is 6.92 inches long, 0.35 inches thick, and weighs 0.73 ounces. It’s perfectly round and made of a shiny (slippery) plastic material, which means it’s no longer easy to hold and use, and tends to roll off desks and tables.
Apple Pencil (First Generation) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The second-generation Pencil is slightly shorter, but otherwise the same at 6.73 by 0.35 inches and 0.73 ounces. It has a flat side to help with usability and is made of a matte plastic material. It is well balanced and feels good in the hand.
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Apple Pencil USB-C is the shortest and lightest of the three at 6.52 inches by 0.35 inches and 0.72 ounces. It has the same basic design as the second generation pencil, meaning it has a flat side, a matte finish and is just as comfortable to hold and use.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Lastly, the Apple Pencil Pro is almost identical to the USB-C model at 6.53 inches by 0.35 inches. It weighs less at 0.68 ounces, but is otherwise similar in shape and feel to the second-generation and USB-C pencils.
Apple Pencil Pro (Credit: Eric Zeman)
All four include the same replaceable tip and are compatible with third-party tips.
Which iPad supports Apple Pencil?
Not every Apple Pencil works with every iPad. For starters, if you have an iPad manufactured before 2015, it’s not supported. Only models that debuted after that date work with Apple’s stylus. Here’s an overview of which iPad each pencil works with:
Apple Pencil (Generation 1)
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1st and 2nd generation iPad Pro 12.9 inches
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iPad Pro 10.5 inches
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iPad Pro 9.7 inches
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3rd generation iPad Air
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5th generation iPad mini
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6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th generation iPad
Apple Pencil (Generation 2)
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12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation, 4th, 5th and 6th generation
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11-inch iPad Pro 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation
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4th and 5th generation iPad Air
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6th generation iPad mini
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
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12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation, 4th, 5th and 6th generation
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11-inch iPad Pro 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation
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4th and 5th generation iPad Air
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6th generation iPad mini
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10th generation iPad
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iPad mini (2024) 8.3 inches
Apple Pencil Pro
How does the Apple Pencil charge?
Not all Apple Pencils charge the same way. Two must be plugged in to charge, while two can be charged via induction.
The first-generation Apple Pencil features a built-in Lightning plug that hides under the end cap. You can plug the Pencil directly into a Lightning-equipped iPad to charge it, or use the included dual-reverse adapter to charge it via the Lightning cable. Both the back cover and the adapter are small and frustratingly easy to lose, meaning you could end up charging very little through the iPad. To say that charging the Pencil through the iPad is difficult is an understatement.
The first-generation Pencil charges via Lightning (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The second generation pencil offers a much better charging experience. The stylus attaches to the flat edge of magnetically supported iPads and charges. This is convenient because it helps you keep track of the pencil while charging it at the same time. Plus, charging the pen while it’s stored means it’s almost always charged when you need it.
The second-generation pencil charges through magnetic induction (Credit: Eric Zeman)
We will give you a guess to understand how the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is charged. Yes, you need to connect it to a USB-C cable. The charging port is hidden under a sliding end cap that is (thankfully) permanently attached to the stylus. You must connect the USB-C-to-USB-C cable to your iPad at least once for the initial pairing to take place. After that, you can charge it with any electric brick.
The Apple Pencil USB-C charges with a USB-C cable (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Apple Pencil Pro charges exactly like the second-generation model: magnetically when attached to the side of a 2024 iPad Pro or iPad Air.
The Apple Pencil Pro charges via magnetic induction (Credit: Eric Zeman)
All Apple Pencils connect to the iPad via Bluetooth. Battery life varies with usage.
What can the Apple Pencil do?
The four Apple Pencils have a number of features. Be sure to choose the stylus that best matches your particular needs.
All four styluses support three core features: pixel-level accuracy, low latency, and tilt sensitivity. These allow you to write or sketch with incredible precision, experience a pencil-like immediacy in your input, and take advantage of shading and other effects by tilting the Pencil back and forth.
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Apple Pencil (USB-C) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Both Gen 1 and 2 Pens, as well as the Pro, support pressure sensitivity. Each can measure 4096 levels of pressure to allow for a more natural writing and drawing experience. This is critical for artists. However, the first generation pencil stops there; these are the only features it supports.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The second generation pencil is richer in features. It adds magnetic connection, wireless pairing and charging, Hover on iPad Pro, double-tap to change writing instruments, and includes free engraving for personalization (when ordered directly from Apple). The Hover tool is useful, as it lets you see exactly where the Pencil will mark the screen before you tap the tip on the glass. Further, the tool swap feature is clutch if you want or need to quickly jump from a pencil to an eraser, highlighter or marker.
The USB-C Pen supports Hover, but lacks some of the other advanced features, including pressure sensitivity, magnetic pairing and charging, double tap, and free engraving.
The Apple Pencil Pro has a floating range (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Apple Pencil Pro adds some advanced features. First, it includes a new pressure-sensitive area that, when squeezed, summons the palette to access alternate brushes. It also includes a gyroscope, which powers the barrel rotation function to adjust the direction of your brush. The Pencil Pro has a haptic motor inside to provide vibration feedback. Finally, it’s the only Apple Pencil that supports Apple’s Find My network for remote location detection when lost.
All four Apple Pencils enhance creativity apps like Evernote, GarageBand, Illustrator, iMovie, Photoshop and Procreate, and are compatible with nearly all iPad apps in terms of basic input and functionality.
Which Apple Pencil is Right for You?
Based on its price and feature set, the $79 Apple Pencil USB-C is best for beginners or kids who want simple pen writing functionality and basic drawing features.
From top to bottom: USB-C, second generation, first generation (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The $99 first-generation Pencil adds an important feature — pressure sensitivity — but isn’t as comfortable to hold, use or charge, and is mostly compatible with older iPads.
The $129 second-generation Pencil is even more feature-rich and offers an overall rewarding experience. This is the best option if your iPad is 2022 or older.
However, owners of the latest iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini should opt for the $129 Apple Pencil Pro for its advanced creative tools.
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About Eric Zeman
Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
