The new second-generation Apple Pencil that Apple introduced today alongside new iPad Pro models includes support for tap gestures and inductive charging when attached to an iPad Pro via magnets, a major upgrade from the previous model that had a built-in Lightning port.

Given all of the changes introduced in the Apple Pencil 2, it only works with the new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models and it is not compatible with older iPad Pros or the sixth-generation iPad.

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Likewise, the current Apple Pencil will not work with the new iPad Pro models and is limited to older iPad Pro models and the sixth-generation iPad.

That means if you're upgrading to the new iPad Pro from an older iPad Pro model and already have an Apple Pencil, you're going to need to buy a new second-generation model if you want an Apple Pencil to use with the upgraded tablets.

The new second-generation Apple Pencil is priced at $129 and can be ordered starting today, with the accessory set to be delivered on November 7.

Apple's new Apple Pencil is $30 more expensive than the existing Apple Pencil, which is priced at just $99.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad Accessories

Top Rated Comments

CalBoy Avatar
87 months ago
The new pencils are cool, but this almost feels like an intentional move to punish people who bought either product before today.

There’s a lot about Apple’s recent decisions that honestly come across as taking customers for granted.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
87 months ago
Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mobilebuddha Avatar
87 months ago
Can you not use a lightning cable to charge Apple Pencil 1.0? If you are on-the-go, are you not carrying a lightning cable? Is inductive charging different from wireless charging that iPhones use?

These are -terrible- reasons to make the pencils not compatible with each other. Naked money grab.

Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kobayagi Avatar
87 months ago
Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Hmmm, okay... charging won't work. We agree on that. But why won't usage work? Let's say you have and use the previous and this new iPod Pro. Then this means you also need two pencils.

Seems more like a money grab.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ricktat Avatar
87 months ago
Missed opportunity by Apple.

Think of the $$ that could be made from the adapters.

Apple Pencil Lightning to USB-C adapter $39

Apple Pencil lightning to inductive charging adapter $69
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac 128 Avatar
87 months ago
Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Nothing a dongle wouldn't fix in both cases. The only reason they would be incompatible is because Apple chooses not to support them.

Can you not use a lightning cable to charge Apple Pencil 1.0? If you are on-the-go, are you not carrying a lightning cable? Is inductive charging different from wireless charging that iPhones use?

These are -terrible- reasons to make the pencils not compatible with each other. Naked money grab.
Exactly. A simple USB to Lightning dongle would solve this problem with older Pencils.

New Pencils would be a little more difficult as they would require some sort of wireless charging dongle, and a way to trigger the wireless pairing. Doesn't seem to be rocket science in any case.
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Hmmm, okay... charging won't work. We agree on that. But why won't usage work? Let's say you have and use the previous and this new iPod Pro. Then this means you also need two pencils.

Seems more like a money grab.
Pairing I suspect is the problem. If the old iPad doesn't have a way to pair with the new Pencil, it doesn't matter if the rest of it otherwise works. As for why the old Pencil wouldn't pair with the new iPad? Well that seems like an intentional decision to prevent it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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