Apple Pencil buyers guide: iPad compatibility, features, price

Detailed explanation of Apple Pencil models and compatibility: Four Apple Pencils, compatibility is very different!

Apple currently owns four Apple Pencils, and their compatibility varies greatly. This article will be updated to the 2025 iPad and iPad Air, detailing which iPads each Apple Pencil is compatible with.

Not only are there four different Apple Pencil models, each with its own feature list. Choosing the right Apple Pencil based on your iPad model can be a bit confusing, so let's take a moment to break down their differences.

Apple Pencil Pro

The Apple Pencil Pro was released on May 7, 2024 and is Apple's latest Apple Pencil. It introduces many new features that are unique to the new model.

For example, the "Rotate Pen Stand" feature allows the user to rotate the pen Stand to change the orientation of the shape pen and brush tools. This is perfect for use in drawing programs like Procreate.

The new "squeeze" feature enables many applications to open context menus, allowing users to switch tools, line thicknesses, and colors.

Apple Pencil Pro gets haptic feedback for the first time, allowing the app to notify users when registering for a specific action. For example, Procreate will use haptic feedback to indicate whether the object is stuck in the exact position.

Another new feature of Apple Pencil Pro is "Find" support. Now you can quickly and easily find your lost Apple Pencil Pro using the Find app on your Apple device.

In addition to new features, the Apple Pencil Pro also retains previous features, including double-click, Apple Pencil hover, pressure sensitivity, and tilt sensitivity. Like the previous generation, it can be magnetically connected to a compatible iPad and paired wirelessly and charged.

The Apple Pencil Pro costs $129, the same price as the second-generation Apple Pencil, and can be paid in installments via Apple Card.

Apple Pencil Pro Compatibility:

• M4 13-inch iPad Pro
• M4 11-inch iPad Pro
• M2 13-inch iPad Air
• M2 11-inch iPad Air
• The seventh generation iPad mini

Apple Pencil 2nd Generation

The second generation of Apple Pencil was first launched in November 2018 and is the first Apple Pencil to pair and charge wirelessly with magnetic connections. This is considered a major upgrade to the first-generation products, which need to be charged through the iPad's Lightning port.

This Apple Pencil has tilt and pressure sensitivity, has a double-click feature, and supports Apple Pencil hover on M2 iPad Pro and iPad Air models.

The second-generation Apple Pencil is available for $129 when purchased from Apple and can be paid in installments using the Apple Card. However, Apple dealers offer much lower prices, and as of press time, Amazon is conducting a big promotion, with prices falling to $79.

Second Generation Apple Pencil Compatibility:

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (third to sixth generation)
• 11-inch iPad Pro (first to fourth generation)
• iPad Air (4th and 5th generations)
• The sixth generation iPad mini

Apple Pencil USB-C

In November 2023, Apple released the Apple Pencil USB-C, making it compliant with the EU laws on the standardization of rechargeable devices.

Featureally, it's somewhere between the original Apple Pencil and the second-generation Apple Pencil. While it can be magnetically connected to the iPad, it does not support wireless pairing and charging. It must be charged via the included USB-C port.

It supports Apple Pencil hover on M2 iPad Pro and iPad Air models. It also supports tilt sensitivity.

Interestingly, the Apple Pencil USB-C does not support pressure sensitivity, even the first generation of Apple Pencil supports that feature. This makes it less suitable for artists.

The Apple Pencil USB-C costs $79 and can be paid in installments when purchased through Apple. Like the Apple Pencil 2, Amazon is currently offering discounts on Apple Pencil USB-C.

Apple Pencil USB-C Compatibility:

• M4 13-inch iPad Pro
• M4 11-inch iPad Pro
• M2 13-inch iPad Air
• M2 11-inch iPad Air
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (third to sixth generation)
• 11-inch iPad Pro (first to fourth generation)
• iPad Air (4th and 5th generations)
• The sixth and seventh generation iPad mini
• Tenth Generation iPad
• 2025 iPad

Apple Pencil First Generation

The first generation of Apple Pencil was launched in 2015 and now has a limited service life. It uses a female Lightning interface for charging and pairing compatible iPad models. It also features a completely round design, while all newer Apple Pencil models feature a flat side to prevent rolling off the flat surface.

It does not support Apple Pencil hover because it is incompatible with the M2 iPad Air and iPad Pro models. It also cannot be magnetically connected to any iPad.

However, it has tilt and pressure sensitivity, which is a better choice for iPad artists who have not yet switched to models that support the second-generation Apple Pencil.

The first-generation Apple Pencil is still priced at $99 on Apple, the same price as it is available for listing and can be paid in installments using the Apple Card. However, dealers have reduced their price to $79, which has better value than buying directly from Apple.

First generation Apple Pencil compatibility:

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (first and second generation)
• 10.5-inch iPad Pro
• 9.7-inch iPad Pro
• Third Generation iPad Air
• Fifth Generation iPad mini
• iPad (6th to ninth generation), tenth generation (requires adapter)
• 2025 iPad (requires adapter)

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