1 min readApple today announced a new more affordable Apple Pencil for iPad owners, that will retail for $139. Known as the Apple Pencil (USB-C), the new stylus undercuts the first-generation Apple Pencil which is sticking around $159, and is a good deal cheaper than the $219 second-generation Apple Pencil.
Much like the new iPhone 15 family, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) charges via USB-C. A sliding cap hides the USB-C port, which is also used to pair the Apple Pencil with an iPad. It's a much more elegant solution than the Lightning port on the first-generation Apple Pencil.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) uses the same kind of matte, squared-off design as the second-generation Apple Pencil, rather than the glossy circular aesthetic of the first. It also has magnets for snapping to an iPad, but it won't charge wirelessly.
The other big omission is the lack of pressure sensitivity. While both previous Apple Pencils can detect how hard you're pressing them, the USB-C model doesn't support this functionality. Given pressure sensitivity is one of the key reasons you'd go for an Apple Pencil over a third-party stylus, it's an odd choice. The Apple Pencil (USB-C) still has the same low latency and tilt sensitivity as other Pencils, however.
There's one other quirk being aware of. While the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is the manufacturer's cheapest first-party stylus, it isn't compatible with the cheapest iPad currently available. If you're looking to buy the ninth-generation iPad, you'll need the more expensive $159 Apple Pencil.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with all iPad models that have a USB-C port, including the tenth-edition base model iPad. Most of these iPads were previously only compatible with the $219 second-generation Apple Pencil.
You'll be able to get the new USB-C Apple Pencil will launch in early November. Apple isn't taking pre-orders yet.
