What is an Apple Pencil?

It’s no secret that Apple loves developing and releasing new and innovative accessories for its core devices, from stylish cases to chargers and wireless headphones. Alongside the 2015 launch of the first iPad Pro, the Cupertino-based tech giant first introduced the Apple Pencil, which took the world by storm and has since then become a favourite among artists and note-takers.

But what exactly is this Apple Pencil, how does it work and is it the right fit for you? To help you better understand the Apple Pencil and its capabilities, here’s a look at what an Apple Pencil is, how it works, and whether you should get one for yourself.

What is an Apple Pencil?

The Apple Pencil, as the name probably already suggests, is a stylus that looks much like a pencil, and is Apple’s unique take on the same. The accessory debuted with the first iPad Pro in 2015, connecting to the iPad via Bluetooth. In terms of design, it gets a rubber tip for interacting with the screen, along with a removable cap hiding a Lightning connector (USB-C on newer models) for charging. What sets the Apple Pencil apart is the added functionality and flexibility it brings to the iPad, allowing you to write on the screen, draw, and even navigate around the iPad.

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It’s geared towards both productivity and creative tasks and is compatible with the first and second-gen iPad Pro and all newer models of iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Given the success of the first Apple Pencil, in 2018, Apple released the Apple Pencil Gen-2 with the 3rd-gen iPad Pro.

Apple Pencil Gen-2:

The Apple Pencil Gen-2 comes with several improvements and upgrades over its predecessor, including magnetic pass-through charging, a touch-sensitive area for additional in-app functions and compatibility with all USB-C iPads. More recently, Apple unveiled the Apple Pencil Pro, which not only improves useability but also brings a ton of new and much-needed features.

Apple Pencil Pro:

The Apple Pencil Pro looks pretty similar to the older versions but packs some cool new features. For starters, it has a new sensor in the barrel that can sense squeezes, bringing up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colours without interrupting your flow.

There’s also a whole bunch of innovative features to make your digital drawing experience even better. It has a custom haptic engine that gives you a satisfying tap to confirm actions like squeezing, double-tapping, or snapping to a Smart Shape.

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The built-in gyroscope lets you roll the Pencil for precise control, with the barrel rotation mirroring the orientation of pen and brush tools, just like traditional art supplies. The new Pencil Pro’s hover feature lets you see the exact tool orientation before you make a mark. Additionally, a new squeeze gesture lets you select shortcuts without ever touching the screen. And now, for the first time, the Apple Pencil Pro supports Find My, so you can easily locate it if it goes missing. 

Which Apple Pencil is the one for you?

So, which Apple Pencil should you get for yourself? Despite being quite old the Apple Pencil Gen-1 is still incredibly useful and great for basic stylus tasks on any iPad. Given its affordable price and the features on offer, the Apple Pencil Gen-1 is perfect for those who engage in fairly straightforward tasks or casual scribbling on their iPads from time to time.

However, if you use your iPad and Apple Pencil for more advanced creative work, and want features like pass-through charging and tap controls, the Apple Pencil Gen-2 is a solid upgrade, even if it costs a bit more.

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Lastly, if you’re after the latest and greatest, or if you need advanced features and don’t mind the premium price, the Apple Pencil Pro is the best stylus for the iPad right now.