Apple Pencil Gen 3 update confirms its positioning among iPad accessories

With all of Apple’s products moving to a USB-C connector after the iPhone 15 series, one of the last accessories from the brand to jump to the universal new connector is the Apple Pencil. Last month, Apple released a new affordable Apple Pencil that sported a USB-C port via a slide-out panel.

Interestingly enough, nowhere across its relatively silent launch (just a press release) did Apple mention the new Apple Pencil as the Apple Pencil Gen 3. Instead, it was called just the Apple Pencil with USB-C. However, a new update changes that.

The accessory recently received its first software update, the announcement of the same marks the first time Apple termed the accessory as the Apple Pencil Gen 3. This cements the product as the third-generation stylus for iPads.

ALSO READ: Apple iPads vs Android tablets: Which one is for you?

Whether the new Apple Pencil with USB-C was a proper successor to the Apple Pencil Gen 2 had been a debate because of the lack of some key features on the newer accessory, which helped bring down its cost. With Apple’s new revelation, we now know that the USB-C Apple Pencil was a true next-gen successor indeed.

However, this only makes the brand’s stylus lineup a tad more confusing, as getting the latest Apple Pencil no longer means getting the most advanced Apple Pencil. This is because the affordable Apple Pencil Gen 3 lacks advanced features like the hover-support on iPad Pro variants, or double-tap to switch tools. It also isn’t offered with the free customisable engraving that Apple offers for some of its products. All these missing features are still available with the Apple Pencil Gen 2.

ALSO READ: Apple iPad variants: Which tablet suits your lifestyle and needs the best

This also means Apple’s true, full/fledged successor to the Apple Pencil Gen 2 will be the Apple Pencil Gen-4, which may launch next year, probably with the next iPad Pro series.

How to update your Apple Pencil Gen 3

Coming back to the update on the product, updating your Apple Pencil Gen 3 is super easy. All users need to do is magnetically connect the device to an iPad that is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Apple will automatically do the rest and your Apple Pencil will soon be on the latest firmware, all by itself.