Apple announced a new version of the Apple Pencil that uses USB-C to charge and pair with compatible iPads. The company has been transitioning to the more universally compatible USB-C in their new products such as the iPad and iPhone 15 series while ditching their proprietary Lightning port.
The new pencil comes the same low latency for responsive input as well as tilt sensitivity for shadowing as found on the gen 2 pencil. It still supports the hover feature present on the latest ipad models. The USB-C Pencil measures 7.5 x 155mm and weighs 20.5 grams – nearly identical to the Apple Pencil 2
Since this version is supposed to be more affordable than the latest second gen Apple Pencil 2, there are some features that were left out.
First, this new USB C Apple Pencil does not support wireless charging or pairing despite being able to attach magnetically to the iPads. Secondly, there’s no pressure sensitivity which is present on both the first and second-gen Apple Pencil models.
This new stylus will be compatible with iPad models that have a USB-C port, such as the 10th-generation iPad, the fourth- and fifth-generation iPad Air, the 11-inch iPad Pro, the sixth-gen iPad Mini and the third-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later.
Wondering how much it will cost? Well the first-generation pencil went for $99 and the more capable second-gen model costs $129, however, the USB-C Apple Pencil starts at $79 which slots right between the 1st and 2nd generation.