What is the difference between 2nd and 3rd generation Apple Pencil?
The first-generation Apple Pencil was longer in size and thicker than the second-generation model, which has a flat edge that allows it to charge inductively through an iPad. The third-generation model appears to have the same design, but it is made from a glossy material, and it has a different tip design.
The best stylus for iPads is the Apple Pencil 2nd generation since it was built to work for iPads.
The original Apple Pencil has a glossy plastic finish in the style of AirPods. The Pencil 2, meanwhile, has a matte finish that's much more resistant to grease and fingerprints. It feels, more than anything, like a real wooden pencil, which makes it that much more pleasant to use.
You can use Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with these iPad models: iPad mini (6th generation) iPad Air (4th generation and later) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
The second generation Apple Pencil is better, but the first is still good enough. Even the Apple Pencil tips are the same. You can actually take the tip of a first generation Apple Pencil and screw it on the second generation.
You can use Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with these iPad models: iPad mini (6th generation) iPad Air (4th generation and later) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
Zagg's Pro Stylus is the best digital pen for most note-takers, casual iPad artists, or anyone who just likes a stylus for navigating their tablet. It's as accurate and responsive as Apple's Pencil, with almost all of the same features save for pressure sensitivity.
First-generation Apple Pencil
The original Apple Pencil, which charges using a Lightning connector, works with these iPads: iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th generations; released in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 — you'll need a separate charging adapter with the 10th generation released in 2022, since it now has a USB-C port)
The Pencil will magnetically attach to the center-right side of either long edge. It will only attach to the iPad so that it lays alongside the iPad directly, not with part of it sticking past the iPad Pro edge (as in the picture, below).
You can also charge with a USB Power Adapter by using the Apple Pencil Charging Adapter that came with your Apple Pencil. Apple Pencil will fast charge when plugged into either power source.
Can you draw on Apple iPad 3?
Use the Notes app to draw a sketch or jot a handwritten note with Apple Pencil (on supported models) or your finger. You can choose from a variety of Markup tools and colors and draw straight lines with the ruler.
There are two different Apple Pencils, and each one has a different set of iPads it works with. The 2nd generation Apple Pencil works with the follow iPad models: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation) iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation)

It's definitely worth a look. And don't forget! Whether you've got an Apple Pencil, a Logitech Crayon, or any other compatible iPad stylus, you can make your iPad screen feel like real paper with a Paperlike screen protector and improve your writing and drawing experience with a set of Paperlike Pencil Grips.
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) also allows you to change tools without setting it down, thanks to its intuitive touch surface that supports double-tapping. Designed for iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini, it features a flat edge that attaches magnetically for automatic charging and pairing.
Apple Pencil (second generation) | |
---|---|
Type | Digital stylus |
Release date | November 11, 2015 (1st generation) November 7, 2018 (2nd generation) |
Introductory price | US$99 |
System on a chip | 32-bit RISC ARM-based Cortex-M3 |
The following models can't use Apple Pencil (first or second generation): iPad 9.7in (aka iPad 5, 2017) iPad Mini 4 (2015) iPad Mini 3 (2014) *
The third-generation model appears to have the same design, but it is made from a glossy material, and it has a different tip design. Prior Apple Pencil designs featured a small screw-on tip, while the new version appears to have a larger tip design that screws into the Apple Pencil.
The pencil should last several years if you're careful with it. The two ways it will fail are physical damage and eventual consumption of the batteries. One way you won't get long life out of a pencil is if you don't use it and keep it charged monthly. Avoid hard drops to the hard floor.
STYLUSHOME'S Stylus Pen – Most Elite Design
The stylus also doesn't require batteries or charging, adding further to its extremely lightweight and convenient use. The thin pencil tip on one side, coupled with a round fiber tip on the other, makes the pen fairly versatile and ideal for drawing.
The Apple Pencil is used in lieu of a finger for precision tasks like writing and sketching, and it can also be used for navigating through the operating system. It's excellent for drawings, art creation, note taking, and similar tasks because it's precise, has palm rejection, and offers pressure and tilt sensitivity.
How do I make handwriting on my iPad?
Use Apple Pencil to enter text in Notes and Freeform
In the tool palette, tap the Handwriting tool (to the left of the pen). Write with Apple Pencil, and Scribble automatically converts your handwriting into typed text.
No, we disable the drawing functionality while it is charging (performance reasons). Although you can charge with a Lightning cable, it will charge much faster when connected directly to the iPad Pro.
Essentially, the Apple Pencil doesn't scratch the surface of the iPad over its life for pretty much the same reason your finger doesn't. Not even your fingernail is hard enough to scratch it.
How Much Does Procreate Cost? Procreate is a steal at a flat, one-time price of $9.99, and there is no account set-up, pro upgrade, or subscription to consider.
Look on the back of your iPad. Open Settings, tap General, then tap About. Look for the model number in the top section.
Q: Is the Apple pencil case a worthwhile investment? A: Apple pencil's silicone grip case is worth your money. It protects the pencil from scratches and provides additional grip. You can use them to make a style statement as well because of the diverse range of colors they come in.
To find your Apple Pencil using this method, open the Bluetooth Finder app and select Apple Pencil from the list of previously paired devices. The Bluetooth Finder app will then show you a radar with the signal strength and estimated distance from the device.
Courtesy of its completely cylindrical shape, the pen can roll off and be easily lost or damaged. As a result of this, it is therefore imperative that users get to know how to protect themselves from falling victim to a lost Apple pen.
To learn how your iPad usage affects the battery level, go to Settings > Battery. Information about your battery usage and activity appears for the last 24 hours and up to the last 10 days.
AppleCare+ includes battery service coverage for your iPad or Apple Pencil, which means your battery can be replaced at no charge if we test your product and its battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.
Which iPad is best for drawing beginners?
The iPad Pro M1 wins our vote for best overall iPad for drawing. It is excellent for basic sketching and drawing, but if you are using it for business, it is up to the task for that, too.
On supported models, you can use Apple Pencil (sold separately) to draw a sketch, mark up a photo, sign a document, and more. See: Draw in apps with Markup on iPad.
There are a ton of good artists out there who use only digital and went to traditional mediums much later than most. All that being said, it's often easier to pick up pencil and paper to learn and practice the fundamentals, but these days, with iPad, it's just as easy.
Model | Apple Store price | Best price right now |
---|---|---|
Apple Pencil (1st Gen) | $99 | $79 |
Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) | $129 | $85 |
Conclusions. The Apple Pencil is still the most precise, accurate tablet stylus available, and an invaluable aid for artists and note-takers working with either the sixth-gen iPad or an iPad Pro. But I can't help but feel that Apple has lost some oppportunities by not updating it in more than two years.
The short version is that the Apple Pencil 2 is definitely the better stylus overall. However, whether it's so much better that it's worth the higher price is still questionable. The first difference is ergonomic. The Apple Pencil 2 is thinner and shorter, and so looks and feels more like a real pencil.
Pencil one requires a lightening port to charge. It is round in shape. Pencil two connects magnetically to the USB-C equipped iPad, so it is a big improvement for connectivity. The Pencil two is closer in shape to a wooden pencil, so it can magnetically connect to the compatible iPads.
Because the latest iPad Pro model has a square edge, making it the only one compatible with the Apple Pencil 2 because that gives it space to charge, as we've mentioned.
Yes, they are the same tip on both pencils. As already confirmed by lobsterghost1, the first and second generation Pencil tips are identical.
It's definitely worth a look. And don't forget! Whether you've got an Apple Pencil, a Logitech Crayon, or any other compatible iPad stylus, you can make your iPad screen feel like real paper with a Paperlike screen protector and improve your writing and drawing experience with a set of Paperlike Pencil Grips.
Why is the Apple Pencil 2 so good?
Camilo Delgado. The Apple Pencil 2 was built to deliver pixel-perfect precision and low latency. These characteristics make the Apple Pencil 2 worth it for drawing, sketching, coloring, taking notes, or marking up PDFs.
It depends on how you use it, I know someone who uses their Pencil every day and it lasted them two years. I just replaced mine after six months of often long-session daily use (in hindsight, probably should have replaced it a month prior).
Whilst an Apple Pencil can be used with multiple compatible iPads, it can only be paired for operation with a single iPad at any time. As pairing is a simple process, transferring between iPad devices is quick and easy.
If you barely ever use your Pencil, the tip might last for years; if you're a Procreate whiz who draws every day, it might not make it six months. But in general, the average Apple Pencil user should replace the tip at least once every two years. This is more than enough time to wear down a Pencil tip.
A nib for your Apple Pencil will protect it from fall damage. Of course we cannot claim you can smash the pencil into the floor head first - tip first? - and then expect it to bounce back into your hand. However, an extra layer of protection can't do harm in this case.