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Journalism of Courage
The Apple Pencil is one of those rare Apple products that can go years without getting a refresh. The first generation debuted in 2015, followed by the second generation in 2018. And now, almost five years later, we have a new entry-level stylus for iPads: the Apple Pencil USB-C. But this is not a replacement for the previous models – it’s actually an alternative that coexists with them. So how do you choose the right one for your needs? Let’s compare the three options and see what they offer.
The first thing you may notice about the new Apple Pencil (USB-C) is that it is shorter and thinner than the old models. The Apple Pencil (1st generation), which was released has a length of 6.92 inches and a diameter of 0.35 inches, making it similar to a real pencil in size and shape. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which came out in 2018, was slightly shorter at 6.53 inches, but kept the same diameter of 0.35 inches.
Meanwhile, the new Apple Pencil USB-C is the shortest of the three at 6.1 inches, and also has a smaller diameter of 0.29 inches.
All three Apple Pencils have some common features that make them great tools for writing and drawing on the iPad. They all have high precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, which means they can accurately capture your strokes, respond quickly to your movements, and adjust the shading depending on how you hold them.
However, there are also a few key differences. The most notable one is that the new Apple Pencil USB-C does not have pressure sensitivity, which is a feature that allows you to vary the thickness of your lines depending on how hard you press. This feature is present in both the first and second-gen models, and it may be important for some users who want more control over their strokes – artists in particular.
Another feature that only the second-gen model has is Double-Tap, which is a gesture that lets you switch between different tools in apps by tapping twice on the side of the stylus. This can be very convenient for quickly changing between a pen and an eraser, for example. The first-gen and USB-C models do not have this feature, so you will have to use the screen controls instead.
One feature that both the second-gen and USB-C models have is Hover, which is a feature that allows the iPad to detect when the Apple Pencil is near the screen without touching it. This can be useful for previewing tools or activating functions in some apps. The original Apple Pencil does not have this feature.
Finally, one minor feature that only the second-gen model offers is free engraving when you buy it from Apple’s website. You can choose to add a personal touch to your stylus by adding your name or a message to it.
All three Apple Pencils use Bluetooth to connect to the iPad, but they have different ways of pairing and charging. The original Apple Pencil has a Lightning connector under its cap, which you have to plug into the iPad’s Lightning port to pair and charge it.
The second-generation Apple Pencil does not have any physical connectors, and instead uses wireless charging and magnetic attachment to pair and charge it. You simply snap it onto the side of the iPad, where it will automatically connect and start charging. This is much more elegant and convenient than the first-gen model.
The new Apple Pencil USB-C has a USB-C connector under its sliding cap, which you can plug into the iPad’s USB-C port to pair and charge it. This is similar to the original model’s Lightning connector, but with a different port type. However, unlike the original model, you can also charge and pair it wirelessly by attaching it magnetically to the side of the iPad like the second-gen model.
The addition of a third model sure does complicate the matter of compatibility. Previously, the first generation Apple Pencil was the most economical option for the regular iPad while the second went only with the iPad Pro. Just take a look at the complete compatibility list provided by none other than Apple.
All you need to know here is that the Apple Pencil (1st generation) is compatible with the most iPads. Meanwhile, the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is compatible with most Pro and Air models of the newer iPad, although it lacks compatibility with the regular iPads. And finally, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with all newer iPad models.
The first-gen Apple Pencil currently sells for Rs Rs 9,500, the second-gen Apple Pencil sells for Rs 11,900, and the Apple Pencil USB-C sells for Rs 7,900.
