- Kyle Chua
Apple Announces More Affordable Apple Pencil With USB-C Port
Updated: Dec 18, 2023
Apple is coming out with an entry-level Apple Pencil.
The tech giant on Tuesday, 17 October announced the new, more affordable Apple Pencil that features a USB-C port hidden behind a sliding cap. The iPad add-on accessory is priced at S$119 and is expected to hit the market sometime in early November.
"Apple Pencil has revolutionised note taking, sketching, and illustrating, unleashing endless possibilities for productivity and creativity," said Bob Borchers, Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Combined with the versatility of iPad, the new Apple Pencil unlocks another great option to experience the magic of digital handwriting, annotation, marking up documents, and more."
The new Apple Pencil works with a wide range of iPad models, including the tenth-generation iPad released last year, the fourth- and fifth-generation iPad Air, the first-to-fourth-generation iPad Pro 11-inch, the third-to-sixth-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch as well as the sixth-generation iPad mini.
The first two Apple Pencil releases, in comparison, didn't work with all iPad models. The first used a Lightning connector, making it incompatible with iPad models that feature a USB-C port, while the second charged wirelessly and isn't compatible with the tenth-generation iPad.
The inclusion of a USB-C port on this new model also means it can pair and charge with iPad models that support USB-C connectivity using a USB-C cable.
The reduced price of this new model, however, comes at the cost of some of the more advanced features on the first- and second-generation releases. Among the missing features are pressure sensitivity, wireless pairing and charging and the double-tap functionality, which lets users quickly switch between tools.
The new Apple Pencil does retain the low latency and tilt sensitivity of its predecessors, along with hover support for iPad Pro. It also keeps the design of the second-generation release, similarly featuring a flat side that prevents it from rolling over flat surfaces and the ability to magnetically attach to the iPad.
Apple has announced a new, more affordable Apple Pencil that features a USB-C port hidden behind a sliding cap.
The inclusion of a USB-C port means it can pair and charge with iPad models that support USB-C connectivity using a USB-C cable.
The iPad add-on accessory is priced at S$119 and is expected to hit the market sometime in early November.