Apple Pencil: The iPad mini 7 says goodbye to the Pencil 2
With the launch of its new compact iPad, Apple has streamlined its stylus portfolio. What still works with which tablet.
Apple Pencil 2024: There were only two left.
(Image: Apple)
Apple never actually wanted to offer styluses for its tablets – - at least according to a now famous announcement by company co-founder Steve Jobs, who died in 2011. But in the end, the opposite was the case: the company offered four different types of Apple Pencil for different iPad models. With the release of the seventh-generation iPad mini this week, things are now being tidied up when it comes to styluses: Officially, Apple will only be offering two Pencil models directly in future. Although the older versions will remain in stores for the time being, the situation is now much clearer. Here's what you need to know.
Four will become just two
Apple previously offered the Apple Pencil with Lightning connector from 2015 (also known as Pencil 1), the Apple Pencil 2 (with wireless charging function), the Apple Pencil with USB-C and –, the best model to date –, the Apple Pencil Pro. From now on, Apple will only be selling the Pencil Pro (for 149 euros) and the Apple Pencil with USB-C (for 89 euros). The two pens should cover most of the possible uses of currently available devices, even if this is (unfortunately again) somewhat confusing at first glance.
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The Apple Pencil Pro can be used with the latest iPad Pro models with M4 SoC and 11 and 13 inches as well as with the latest iPad Air M2 with 11 and 13 inches. Both came onto the market this year. What is new is that the stylus is now also compatible with the iPad mini 7 (with A17 Pro SoC) and also offers the hover function there (in suitable apps). The second stylus still available is the Apple Pencil with USB-C. Unlike the Pencil Pro, it is not charged wirelessly, but with an integrated USB-C socket located "in the plug". A USB-C to USB-C cable is sufficient for power supply. Confusingly, the pencil still holds magnetically to the iPad, but it lacks pressure sensitivity, the aforementioned hover function, rotation detection, double tapping to change tools or haptic feedback.
Which features are missing
While the Pencil Pro can be found using "Where is?", the Apple Pencil with USB-C cannot. However, it is widely compatible: in addition to the current iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 models, this also includes the iPad Pro 11 of the 1st to 4th generation, iPad Pro 12.9 of the 3rd to 6th generation, iPad Air 4 and 5, iPad 10 (the last standard iPad) and the iPad mini 6. The Apple Pencil 2, which Apple has now removed from the range, also works with the latter –, where it can usefully also be charged wirelessly.
All in all, it is commendable that Apple has tidied up its stylus selection. Although the USB-C model of the Pencil also has disadvantages such as the lack of wireless charging and other missing features, the stylus works with many devices. It remains to be seen how long the two older pens will remain on the market – this could be the case for some time to come. At Apple itself, minimalism now prevails when it comes to the Pencil.
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