Apple recently launched the Apple Pencil Pro. This is the latest update in the Apple Pencil lineup, which enhances creativity and productivity on your iPad.
This new model from Apple brings updated features and improvements that cater to a wide range of users, from artists and designers to students and professionals. With advancements like squeeze to open contextual menus and barrel roll to naturally rotate your brush while painting, the Apple Pencil Pro is a significant upgrade within the Apple Pencil lineup.
However, the four available variations of Apple Pencil models can make choosing the right one confusing. Here, we’ll help you understand each model’s features and compatibility to help you decide if the Apple Pencil Pro is the right stylus for your needs.
Who Is the Apple Pencil For?
The Apple Pencil is a versatile tool designed to meet the needs of different iPad users either sketching, taking notes, or marking up documents.
Here’s how different tasks come to life with an Apple Pencil:
- Illustrators and graphic designers: The Apple Pencil offers pixel-perfect precision and low latency, making it ideal for detailed artwork and graphic design projects.
- Painters and digital artists: With tilt sensitivity and pressure sensitivity features, artists can create nuanced shading and varied line weights.
- Professionals: The Apple Pencil allows you to jot down quick notes or elaborate diagrams during meetings and brainstorming sessions.
- Writers: Whether you’re drafting an article or outlining a novel, the natural feel of the Apple Pencil makes writing on an iPad as intuitive as using pen and paper.
- College students: A stylus is ideal for annotating lecture slides, taking notes during classes, or completing digital assignments.
- School kids: An Apple Pencil enhances learning with interactive educational apps that support handwriting and drawing activities.
- Executives and managers: Use the pencil for signing documents, marking up presentations, or sketching out ideas during board meetings.
- DIY enthusiasts: Sketch out your next big project with an Apple Pencil, whether it’s home decor planning or crafting ideas.
- Journal keepers: Maintain digital journals or scrapbooks with handwritten entries and doodles easily with an Apple Pencil.
Core Features of All Apple Pencils
Apple Pencils provide a seamless and intuitive experience for drawing, note-taking, and creative tasks on the iPad. Despite the differences in features across various models, there are core attributes that define the Apple Pencil lineup, including the new Apple Pencil Pro.
Understanding these shared characteristics can help users appreciate the versatility and functionality that all Apple Pencils bring to their digital workflows:
Precision
Every generation of the Apple Pencil boasts precision down to the pixel. This means that when you draw or write on your iPad, the line appears exactly where you want it to go, and there’s no lag or misalignment. This feature is especially crucial for artists and designers who need their work to be flawless.
Low Latency
Low latency is another hallmark of the Apple Pencil. When you put the pencil to the screen, there’s no perceptible delay between your movement and what appears on the iPad. This ensures a seamless experience whether you’re sketching or jotting down notes.
Natural Feel
Apple designed its pencils to mimic the natural feel of using a traditional writing instrument. Therefore, the ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods. Plus, the weight and balance provide a familiar experience, making it feel similar to using a actual pen or pencil.
Tilt Sensitivity
Tilt sensitivity allows you to create varying line weights and shading effects by simply adjusting the angle at which you hold the pencil. This feature mimics how you’d use a real pencil or brush, making it easier to create detailed artwork or nuanced texturing in your work.
Apple Pencil Upgrades Over the Years
The foundational features make every Apple Pencil an indispensable tool for anyone looking to maximize their iPad’s potential.
And as the Apple Pencil has evolved, each new generation brings additional enhancements that further elevate your digital interactions:
Magnetic Storage & Charging
With the introduction of the second-generation Apple Pencil, Apple solved one of the most common issues: storage and charging. The second-generation pencil attaches magnetically to the side of your iPad Pro or iPad Air. This magnetic attachment also serves as a charging mechanism, eliminating the need for cables or connectors.
Hover
A feature that has transcended multiple generations is Apple Pencil hover. This allows you to preview your mark before making it on the screen. It’s perfect for precision tasks like drawing fine details or aligning text in your notes. So, whether you’re using an Apple Pencil Pro or a second-generation model, this feature significantly boosts accuracy and confidence in your work.
Double Tap
The double tap feature introduced in the second-generation Apple Pencil adds a layer of versatility to your digital toolkit. With a simple double tap on the pencil, you can switch between tools—for example from a pen to an eraser—without breaking your flow. This intuitive control makes it easier to stay focused and productive, whether sketching or annotating documents.
New Features of the Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro represents a significant leap forward in digital stylus technology. With innovative features designed to maximize efficiency and creativity, this latest model sets a new standard of stylus for Apple products.
Here are some of the innovations you can enjoy with an Apple Pencil Pro:
Squeeze
The squeeze feature is one of the significant additions to the Apple Pencil Pro. By gently squeezing the pencil, you can bring up a new palette that allows you to switch tools, line weights, and colors quickly. This functionality streamlines your workflow, making it easier to focus on your creativity rather than navigating menus.
Barrel Roll
The barrel roll feature uses a new gyroscope within the pencil. This allows precise control over shaped pen and brush tools as the on-screen tool rotates with the physical Apple Pencil. So, whether you’re shading a drawing or adding intricate details, the barrel roll provides an unprecedented level of control and accuracy.
Haptic Feedback
Haptic feedback introduces a tactile dimension to your interactions with the Apple Pencil Pro. When you have this feature enabled, You feel a subtle vibration when you squeeze the pencil or double-tap the side. This feedback helps confirm your actions, enhancing precision and confidence in your work.
Compatibility: How Do You Know Which Apple Pencil To Buy?
Choosing the most suitable Apple Pencil can be daunting, especially with multiple models available. Compatibility is crucial in ensuring you get the most out of your purchase.
Here’s which Apple Pencil to buy for each iPad:
Apple Pencil Pro
The new Apple Pencil Pro is the pinnacle of the Apple Pencil lineup, but it’s only compatible with specific iPad models.
If you own one of the following devices, the Apple Pencil Pro is your go-to choice:
- iPad Pro 13-in. with the M4 chip (2024)
- iPad Pro 11-in. with the M4 chip (2024)
- iPad Air 13-in. with the M2 chip (2024)
- iPad Air 11-in. with the M2 chip (2024)
This model offers advanced features like squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback, making it perfect for professionals and serious hobbyists.
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
The second-generation Apple Pencil balances performance and compatibility.
This Apple Pencil works seamlessly with a wider range of iPads:
- iPad Pro 12.9-in. generations 3-6 (2018-2022)
- iPad Pro 11-in. generations 1-4 (2018-2022)
- iPad Air generations 4 and 5 (2020-2022)
- iPad mini generation 6 (2021)
This second-generation stylus features magnetic storage and charging, along with double tap functionality. This model suits those who want robust features and have an earlier generation of iPad.
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
For those seeking a budget-friendly yet highly functional option, the Apple Pencil USB-C fits the bill.
Fortunately, this Apple Pencil is compatible with a variety of iPads:
- iPad Pro 13-in. with the M4 chip (2024)
- iPad Pro 11-in. with the M4 chip (2024)
- iPad Air with the M2 chip (2024)
- iPad Air generations 4 and 5 (2020-2022)
- iPad mini generation 6 (2021)
- iPad Pro 12.9-in. generations 3-6 (2018-2022)
- iPad Pro 11-in. generations 1-4 (2018-2022)
- iPad generation 10 (2022)
This Apple Pencil pairs and charges via USB-C and attaches magnetically for easy storage. Although it lacks some advanced features like double tap or haptic feedback, it still delivers the accurate precision Apple Pencils are known for.
Apple Pencil (1st Generation)
Lastly, the original Apple Pencil remains a solid choice for those using older or entry-level models including:
- iPad Pro 12.9-in. generations 1 and 2 (2015-2017)
- iPad Pro 9.7-in. (2016)
- iPad Pro 10.5-in. (2017)
- iPad Air generation 3 (2019)
- iPads generations 6 to 9 (2018-2021)
- iPad mini generation 5 (2019)
This stylus offers tilt and pressure sensitivity, but you can only charge it by plugging into the iPad’s Lightning connector. This is less convenient compared to the newer models, which magnetically attach to the iPads and automatically charge.
Apple Pencil Pro: A Versatile Tool for iPad Users
The Apple Pencil Pro features several new features and enhancements, making it a valuable tool for many different uses. Whether you’re an artist seeking precision in your digital creations, a student looking to streamline note-taking, or a professional needing an efficient way to mark up documents, there’s an Apple Pencil model tailored to your needs.
