which Apple – Apple now sells four different Apple Pencils, from the $99 1st-generation model to the $129 Pencil Pro. The differences come down to charging style, key features like pressure sensitivity and double-tap, and compatibility with specific iPads—so it’s easier tha
The first time you try taking notes with the Apple Pencil, you feel how quickly it turns your iPad into something more personal than a screen. The catch is that Apple’s stylus lineup has grown complicated—fast. In 2024, Apple debuted a new Pencil, and now there are four to choose from.
The temptation is to buy the most capable one. But if your iPad setup is modest—or your use is mostly handwriting and quick sketches—the “extra” features can turn into wasted money.
Start with the Apple Pencil (1st-gen), priced at $99. It’s old. but it still works. offering both pressure sensitivity—where lines become thicker as you press harder—and tilt sensitivity for shading. It has a glossy finish instead of matte, and it’s completely rounded, which means it can roll off surfaces. There are no magnets, so it can’t be stuck to the tablet for safekeeping. Charging is basic: it uses a Lightning connector. so you remove the cap and plug it into the iPad’s charging port (if you have a USB-C iPad. you can use an adapter). Compatibility is limited to specific models: iPad (6th gen and later). iPad Air (3rd gen). iPad Mini (5th gen). iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd gen). iPad Pro 10.5-inch. and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.
If you want something simpler and easier to live with, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is $69. It’s magnetic, attaching to the sides of supported iPads, so storage isn’t a daily scavenger hunt. But it doesn’t include pressure sensitivity, which makes it a better fit for note-takers than artists. It also doesn’t support wireless charging—you pair and charge it via USB-C. One feature it does bring is Hover Mode, letting you preview what will happen before you touch the display. That Hover Mode is exclusive to select iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
Compatibility for the $69 Pencil (USB-C) is spelled out tightly: iPad (10th gen and A16), iPad Air (4th, 5th gen, M2, M3, and M4), iPad Mini (6th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later, including M4), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later, including M4 and M5).
The middle option, Apple Pencil (2nd-gen), costs $129. It shares all the capabilities described for the 1st-gen and USB-C versions, and adds wireless pairing and charging. In practice, it charges when it magnetically sticks to the top edge of supported iPads. It also introduces a double-tap feature that lets you quickly switch between tools by tapping the Apple Pencil twice.
But there’s a major practical warning attached to this one. Apple has officially discontinued it, and newer iPads don’t support it—meaning it’s out of step with the latest Air (M2, M3, and M4) and Pro models (M4 and M5).
Compatibility for the 2nd-gen pencil is listed as iPad Air (4th gen and 5th gen), iPad Mini (6th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later).
Then there’s the Apple Pencil Pro at $129, the most feature-packed option. It looks identical to the second-generation model, including a matte finish, but the feature list is bigger. It adds a “squeeze” feature that opens a tool palette, alongside the double-tap feature. There’s also a new haptic engine that gives feedback when you squeeze. A built-in gyroscope sensor lets you change the orientation of the tools as you twist them, for finer control. It also supports Apple’s Find My network to track the stylus if you lose it.
The Pencil Pro comes with the kind of compatibility limitation that makes people regret not checking first. It’s only compatible with iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4), iPad Pro (M4 and M5), and the 7th-gen iPad Mini.
Put together. the lineup creates a simple choice that’s easy to miss when you’re shopping fast: pressure sensitivity and tilt sensitivity come with the Apple Pencil (1st-gen). Hover Mode comes with the USB-C pencil on select iPad models. wireless pairing and charging and double-tap belong to the 2nd-gen model (now officially discontinued). and squeeze plus haptics plus gyroscope control are reserved for the Apple Pencil Pro on a narrower set of iPads.
If you’re reaching for the Pencil Pro. the question isn’t whether it’s good—it’s whether your iPad can use it. and whether you’ll actually use the features that make it different. For a lot of note-taking, the cheaper USB-C option can do the job without the extra complexity. The hard part is making that decision before the cart gets away from you.
Apple Pencil Apple Pencil Pro iPad accessories Apple Pencil USB-C Apple Pencil 1st gen Apple Pencil 2nd gen iPad compatibility iPadOS handwriting