The speculations have turned out to be true. Apple launched the new Apple Pencil Pro at its “Let Loose” event on May 7. It was Apple’s first event of the year primarily focused on new hardware. The Cupertino tech giant unveiled the much-awaited OLED iPad Pro and the first-ever 12.9-inch iPad Air model. The Apple Pencil Pro is an amazing addition that brings some exciting new features for iPad users. In case you’re planning to buy an Apple Pencil or are excited to swap the older stylus for a new one, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ve compared all the Apple Pencils, so you can choose the right option. So, let’s get started and pick the best Apple Pencil for your iPad.
Apple Pencils: Features Compared
With the latest Apple Pencil Pro, Apple introduced a host of new features like Find My app support and squeeze gestures that work with the new iPad models. Here’s a full rundown of the features supported by different Apple Pencil models.
New Apple Pencil Pro vs Apple Pencil USB-C vs Apple Pencil 2 vs Apple Pencil 1
Apple Pencil Compatibility
While we’re talking about the Apple Pencils, it’s important to understand which Apple Pencil works with which iPad models. Yes, not all Apple Pencils work with all iPads. For complete details, check out the compatibility list below:
Apple Pencil Pro
- 11-inch iPad Pro M4
- 13-inch iPad Pro M4
- 11-inch iPad Air M2
- 13-inch iPad Air M2
Apple Pencil USB-C
- iPad 10th generation
- iPad mini 6th generation
- iPad Air 4th and 5th generation
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation
- 11-inch iPad Pro 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation
Apple Pencil 2
- iPad mini 6th generation
- iPad Air 4th and 5th generation
- 11-inch iPad Pro 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation
Apple Pencil 1
- iPad 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th generation
- iPad mini 5th generation
- iPad Air 3rd generation
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st and 2nd generation
In case you don’t know which iPad you own, you can check out the iPad generation here.
Apple Pencil Pricing
Apple launched the new Apple Pencil Pro at $129, that’s the same price tag for the Apple Pencil 2nd generation. Amongst all the models, the Apple Pencil USB-C remains the most affordable option at $79. Check out the pricing for all Apple Pencil models:
- New Apple Pencil Pro: $129
- Apple Pencil USB-C : $79
- Apple Pencil 2 : $129
- Apple Pencil 1 : $99
Should You Upgrade to the New Apple Pencil Pro?
The new Apple Pencil Pro brings some notable upgrades like the new barrel roll and squeeze gesture support . That said, not every user needs these features. Also, you should always factor in the compatibility angle while choosing a stylus for your Apple Tablet.
If you’ve got a USB-C iPad and are looking for a budget-friendly Apple Pencil that gets the job done, the Apple Pencil USB-C is an affordable and capable stylus. Sure you’ll miss out on the flagship features offered by the latest stylus, but for someone who prefers a budget-friendly option, the USB-C one remains a top pick.
Coming to the $129 Apple Pencil Pro, it is by far the most feature-rich and top-of-the-line option. With some much-needed upgrades like Find My app support , the new Apple Pencil Pro is bound to deliver the best overall experience and comes at the same price as the Apple Pencil 2nd generation. If you’re a digital artist and own a modern iPad, the Apple Pencil Pro is the best option and a worthy upgrade.
Kanika has been a loyal iPhone user since 2014 and loves everything Apple. With a Master’s in Computer Applications, passion for technology, and over five years of experience in writing, she landed at Beebom as an Apple Ecosystem Writer. She specializes in writing How To’s, troubleshooting guides, App features, and roundups for Apple users to help them make the best use of their gadgets. When not writing, she loves to try out new recipes and enjoy some family time.
Add new comment
Name
Email ID
Δ
- Apple and Google have officially confirmed their team-up for the next-gen Siri AI.
- The Cupertino Giant will be using Google’s Gemini for a more personalized Siri model as well as Apple Intelligence features.
- We can expect the next-gen Siri to come out with iOS 26.4, sometime in March or April.
Apple has officially confirmed joining forces with Google to use its Gemini AI model to power the next-generation Siri. It will offer a more personalized experience and will be coming out with the iOS 26.4 update. Apple also plans to leverage Gemini’s capabilities for other Apple Intelligence features as well, later down the line.
The Next-Gen Siri will be powered by Google’s Gemini AI
Apple officially confirmed that it will be partnering with Google in a statement to CNBC . Here’s what it stated, “After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models, and we’re excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users.”
Later, Google also shared a post on X confirming the tie-up, “Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year.”
Image Credit: X/@NewsFromGoogle
Both statements clearly mention that the Cupertino Giant will be using Gemini to power its assistant Siri. This was already rumored, as Apple’s attempts to acquire Perplexity went nowhere. With Gemini, Siri will get a major AI update . It will be able to handle more nuanced conversations and provide better results. Something long-time Apple users have been asking for years.
The next-gen Siri will arrive with the iOS 26.4 update, which will launch sometime in March or April. And it is only going to be available for Apple Intelligence-supported devices .
Something else worth noting is how Google’s statement mentions that Gemini will power Apple Intelligence features. This leads us to believe that Apple could use Gemini’s multi-modal capabilities for its Writings tools , Image Playground , and Message summaries, too.
Elon Musk Not Happy With Apple and Google Tie Up
xAI CEO Elon Musk also responded to Google’s announcement post on X, sharing his thoughts on the matter by saying, “This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that they also have Android and Chrome.” Though we don’t expect either Apple or Google to respond to Elon, we will update the situation as it progresses.
It is worth noting that xAI is the company behind Grok, which is in hot water currently due to its inappropriate image generation fiasco , and has been getting backlash from multiple news outlets, X users, and even government authorities.
With over 4 year of experience under the belt, I cover all facets of consumer tech, from smartphones to other consumer electronics, our favorite social media apps, as well as the growing realm of AI and LLMs. As an Apps and AI writer app Beebom, I provide my expertise in all these areas, weaving stories that help you get familiar with the tech around you. But you will find me playing NYT daily puzzles in my free time.
Add new comment
Name
Email ID
Δ
