Original Apple Pencil vs. Apple Pencil 2

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Alongside the new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, Apple introduced a second-generation Apple Pencil, which is designed to work exclusively with its latest tablets.

In our latest YouTube video, we took a look at the new Apple Pencil 2 and compared it to the original Apple Pencil to highlight all of the improvements that Apple made with the second iteration of its iPad stylus.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

Design wise, the Apple Pencil 2 is sleeker and smaller than the original Apple Pencil because of the elimination of the Lightning connector at the top of the device.

The original Apple Pencil's Lightning connector was always a questionable design choice. It was meant to plug into the bottom of the iPad Pro, but it stuck straight out and was inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst, as an ill-timed drop could cause damage when charging.

Apple's new Apple Pencil does away with the Lightning connector all together because the device is now able to charge via a magnetic connection to the new iPad Pro models. The Apple Pencil 2 snaps right onto the new iPad Pro, which allows for pairing, charging, and storage when it's not in use.

With no Lightning connector, the new Apple Pencil is lighter and easier to hold for longer periods of time, and it has a cleaner look with no metal cap at the top.

While the first Apple Pencil was round and prone to rolling off of flat surfaces, the new Apple Pencil has a flat side for connecting to the iPad, and that flat bit also prevents it from rolling as much.

In addition to these design and function changes, the Apple Pencil 2 introduces support for gestures. With a double tap, the Apple Pencil 2 can switch between tools in apps that support the feature, which is super useful because it allows for quick changes between a pencil and an eraser.

Apple is, unfortunately, charging $30 more for its newest Apple Pencil. The second-generation device costs $130, whereas the original was priced at $100. For users who have a new iPad Pro model, the Apple Pencil 2 is the only available choice as the original Apple Pencil does not work with the new tablets.

Likewise, the second-generation Apple Pencil is compatible only with the new iPad Pro models, so you can't get one and take advantage of the new features without also having a 2018 iPad Pro.

What do you think of Apple's new second-generation Apple Pencil? Is it worth the premium over the original? Let us know in the comments.

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

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Top Rated Comments

Chrjy Avatar
Chrjy
89 months ago
I love Apple products and have been using them since I was at college in '89 but I'm in a real bind! It's getting to the point where they are just pricing me out the market. I make a reasonably good salary, I don't have any kids so have no outgoings to consider from that respect and would say I have a pretty good disposable income compared to those with children.

I have spent a small fortune over the years on Apple products and probably owned a good 90% of the stuff they have brought out but I have concluded that I can no longer sustain at the current price levels. I understand that prices go up over the years but in the last few years, it's no longer about inflation just significant price increases by Apple themselves.

The MacBook Pro 15" for example, which is always my main machine, now costs £2700 (512GB is non negotiable, 256GB just doesn't cut it in this day and age)...we're knocking on the £3K mark and that's a huge amount of cash.

Sigh....I have to agree with many others that I think Apple is now getting greedy and I really do believe that it's going to come back and bite them hard in the next few years.
Score: 76 Votes (Like | Disagree)
borntrouble Avatar
borntrouble
89 months ago
Biggest atrocity is Apple Pencil 1st gen. being incompatible with 2018 iPad Pros. It almost is a parody of Apple's recent marketing strategy.
Score: 59 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
JPack
89 months ago
For $129, they couldn't afford to include an extra tip.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacGod Avatar
MacGod
89 months ago
Apple is making it harder and harder to keep using their hardware. Apple 1 pencil isn't compatible with new systems and the new pencil doesn't work with older iPad Pro's. Still a great product, but just getting harder to justify it.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MobiusStrip Avatar
MobiusStrip
89 months ago
The Pencil has been another pathetic indictment of Apple's design "elegance" since day one. First there was the idiotic idea of having to jam it into a Lightning port and have it sit there to charge.

Then then was the lack of any place to PUT IT. The big selling point of the iPad Pro was supposed to be the pencil, but... it didn't have a place for it.

Then there was no handwriting recognition. As a workaround, every app was supposed to implement (and re-implement) it separately. Seriously? Why was there no handwriting area or tab added to the standard iOS keyboard, giving EVERY app Pencil capability without even a re-write? Palm OS nailed this what, 25 years ago?

Then there's the baffling failure to make the Pencil work on the trackpad of Apple's laptops. Instead of the embarrassing and useless emoji bar on the so-called MacBook "Pro," why didn't Apple make the bigger-than-ever trackpad support the Pencil? Now THAT would be useful.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPandian1 Avatar
KPandian1
89 months ago
$130 stylus? For a nearly $1000 sketch pad!

Hope those who buy this are able to use it for pro-work.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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