Apple Pencil USB-C vs Gen 1 and Gen 2: specs, value, options

First-generation Apple Pencil [Top], Second-generation Apple Pencil [Middle], Apple Pencil USB-C [Bottom]

On October 17, because the rumor mill awaited the introduction of recent iPads, Apple determined to launch one thing barely completely different. As a substitute of an up to date pill, Apple as an alternative launched a 3rd Apple Pencil to its product catalog.

Launched, in Apple’s phrases, to convey “extra worth and option to the lineup,” the Apple Pencil with USB-C supplies a low-cost stylus possibility for a collection of Apple’s iPad vary.

Whereas helpful, the launch does add a bit extra complexity to the stylus household, with some iPad fashions now having multiple stylus that works with it.

That is what you get with the brand new Apple Pencil versus the older variations, in addition to what you miss out on.

The unique Apple Pencil was constructed to resemble an precise pencil in some ways, and a part of that was its bodily dimension. It was 6.92 inches lengthy, with a diameter of 0.35 inches.

Apple stored the second-generation mannequin in the identical ballpark, although it did not have to account for the detachable cap. That mannequin was a shorter 6.53 inches lengthy, however retained the 0.35 inch diameter.

New Apple Pencil USB-C vs outdated Apple Pencil – The brand new Apple Pencil is shorter and thinner, and lighter too.

The brand new Apple Pencil is even shorter at 6.1 inches, though it has a sliding cap included into its design. At 0.29 inches, its diameter can also be so much smaller than its predecessors, so it could really feel slightly thinner for customers to grip when writing and drawing.

There’s additionally a really minor weight reduction within the newest mannequin, with it at 0.72 ounces versus 0.73 ounces for the primary and second-gen fashions. This can be sufficient to be felt by customers, since we’re speaking a couple of pencil-like system.

All three Apple Pencils supply the identical core options, together with excessive ranges of precision with the shows of an iPad or iPad Professional. It is virtually a given for the system over the course of its lifetime.

All additionally supply low latencies, that means that interacting with a show utilizing the Apple Pencil seems like its writing on paper with minimal lag. There’s additionally tilt sensitivity throughout the board, permitting customers to carry out pencil shading-style actions in drawing apps.

It is at this level that the function set diverges, and on the pretty necessary strain sensitivity. Whereas the primary and second-gen fashions have it, the brand new USB-C mannequin would not have any strain sensitivity in any respect.

This possibly an uncommon change for Apple to make, but it surely is sensible in some methods. Not everybody needs strain sensitivity, and if it saves cash on the price of the stylus, it might be eradicated with out penalty.

Whereas the USB-C mannequin would not have that component, it does borrow from the second-gen mannequin in that it will possibly magnetically connect to the aspect of an iPad. The primary-gen mannequin would not have that functionality.

Although the USB-C version does magnetically persist with an iPad, solely the second-gen mannequin can wirelessly pair and cost utilizing it.

One other component the USB-C mannequin beneficial properties from the second-gen is help for Hover, the iPad Professional function the place it will possibly detect the presence of an Apple Pencil simply above the display screen. The unique Apple Pencil would not help this both.

One other second-gen function the opposite two miss out on is Double-Faucet, a gesture that may let customers rapidly swap between software program instruments. First-gen and USB-C customers will nonetheless want to the touch completely different controls on the show.

Lastly, the second-gen mannequin is the one one that provides free engraving on the time of buy.

All the fashions basically connect with the iPad over Bluetooth, which stays unchanged all through the lifetime of the stylus. Pairing does range barely, with the second-gen mannequin doing so wirelessly by charging it, and the primary and new Apple Pencil requiring a bodily connection.

Charging every Apple Pencil mannequin additionally varies significantly.

The unique Apple Pencil has a detachable cap, held on magnetically, that covers a male Lightning connector. Somewhat awkwardly, you needed to join it to the iPad by sticking it into the Lightning port to recharge it.

When it got here to the tenth-generation iPad with USB-C, Apple launched an adapter that allowed the Lightning connector to connect with the USB-C port. Suffice it to say, it was nonetheless an ungainly association.

The second-gen Apple Pencil did not hassle with a bodily connection, and as an alternative used wi-fi charging when it was magnetically hooked up to the aspect of the iPad. This motion additionally prompted pairing between the 2 gadgets.

New Apple Pencil USB-C vs outdated Apple Pencil – There’s a sliding cap and USB-C port on the brand new Apple Pencil

The brand new Apple Pencil returns to requiring a bodily connection, but it surely would not go down the direct-to-port route. As a substitute of a plug, the mannequin has a built-in USB-C port, with the intention of utilizing a USB-C to USB-C cable to attach it to the iPad.

Apple’s redesign additionally features a slide-up cap to cowl the port, however one that’s completely hooked up to the stylus. This could eradicate the potential for shedding the cap, as first-gen Apple Pencil homeowners will attest to.

When there have been two Apple Pencil fashions, it was pretty easy to know which you wanted for an iPad or iPad Professional, because it was both one or the opposite. With a 3rd mannequin, issues grow to be trickier, as there is not any longer only one selection of Apple Pencil for a lot of variants.

Homeowners of the Sixth-gen to Ninth-gen iPad, the third-gen iPad Air, fifth-gen iPad mini the 9.7-inch iPad Professional, 10.5-inch iPad Professional, or first two fashions of 12.9-inch iPad Professional might solely use the first-gen Apple Pencil.

The tenth-gen iPad can use both the first-gen Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil USB-C.

In the meantime, the Sixth-gen iPad mini, all 11-inch iPad Professional fashions, and the third 12.9-inch iPad Professional and later fashions can use both the second-gen Apple Pencil or the brand new Apple Pencil USB-C.

Apple’s introduction of the Apple Pencil USB-C does supply an answer to the Lightning downside that tenth-gen iPad homeowners had, since they do not want that adapter however as an alternative might use the USB-C cable they’re in all probability carrying round with their pill.

For homeowners of different iPads that simply use the first-gen model, the brand new Apple Pencil provides no actual profit to them, merely due to the dearth of USB-C on their {hardware}. The primary beneficiaries of the USB-C variant are iPads that may use the second-gen stylus, because it provides another choice.

The brand new Apple Pencil can magnetically connect to an iPad.

At $79, the Apple Pencil USB-C does work out to be less expensive than the $129 second-generation Apple Pencil and the $99 first-gen model. However in trade for that $50 saving, there is a truthful quantity of utility misplaced in utilizing the brand new Apple Pencil over the dearer second-gen Pencil.

That $50 discount in value has customers shedding out on strain sensitivity, which is a key function for a stylus to have. Granted, it is a complicated factor for Apple to incorporate, but it surely’s a staple of the product line.

The lack of Double-Faucet could hurt productiveness slightly bit for customers, too.

However the lack of wi-fi charging and pairing might push Apple Pencil consumers away, as they might not essentially wish to use the cable. The benefit of magnetically stowing away the Apple Pencil and having it robotically recharge is a quality-of-life addition to the second-gen Apple Pencil that seems like an excessive amount of of a downgrade right here.

The Apple Pencil USB-C is not actually for artists who want strain sensitivity. At its value and have set, the Apple Pencil USB-C is a play towards college students and educators who could have gone for barely cheaper styluses just like the Logitech Crayon.

For many customers, the additional money for the options of the Apple Pencil 2 can be value forking out for. Except there is a very demanding budgetary purpose for getting the brand new Apple Pencil with USB-C, the opposite two styluses will in all probability be value the associated fee for many customers.