Apple Pencil USB-C test: A pencil for all occasions – without the Pro price
The Pencil USB-C is Apple's cheapest pen and the most compatible. We tested what it is good for and what you have to do without.
Apple's stylus range has now grown to four variants – Pencil 1, Pencil 2 and Pencil USB-C were recently joined by the new Pencil Pro. This means that the Apple Pencil USB-C is not only the most affordable Apple stylus to date, but also the only one that is compatible with all iPads that have a USB-C interface, including the iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4.
The Pencil USB-C is around one finger shorter than the Pencil 2 – as well as the Pencil Pro, which is practically identical on the outside - making it the shortest Apple Pencil to date. However, it fits comfortably in the hand as usual and has the same shape as Pencil 2/Pro, with one side flattened. This not only makes it more comfortable to hold, but also prevents the pencil from rolling off the table when you put it down. With the flat side, the Pencil USB-C adheres magnetically to the casing, but on our iPad Air M1 it held noticeably worse than the Pencil 2. Accordingly, the stylus easily comes loose unintentionally, for example when the iPad and stylus are placed in a bag.
Magnetic parking without charging function
Unlike the Pencil 2 and Pencil Pro, the Pencil USB-C is not charged inductively when it is attached to the side of the iPad. Instead of always being ready for use, it may suddenly run out of power. However, you can still use it in parallel while it is charging - no other Pencil supports this.
The first pairing and charging process takes place via the integrated USB-C port, which is hidden behind a clever sliding mechanism. Fortunately, there is no removable cap – and therefore easy to lose, as with the Pencil 1. It remains to be seen how reliably this mechanism will perform over several years of use. After several months, there were no abnormalities. After the first pairing, the Pencil communicates with the iPad via Bluetooth.
The Apple Pencil USB-C does not come with a power adapter or charging cable, nor does it have a replacement tip, which must be purchased separately if required. Apple has also dispensed with a charging light. When the iPad supplies the Pencil with power via the USB-C cable, the battery widget displays the charging status on the tablet. In just over 30 minutes, the almost empty pen was back to 100 percent.
In continuous use, the pen's battery drained by a good 5 percentage points per hour. If you put it to one side, it automatically switches to sleep mode and consumes very little power. In this economy mode, one battery charge lasted a good month.
Saving at the right end
The iPad screen detects contact with the tip up to 240 times per second. The latency when writing and sketching with the Pencil USB-C is correspondingly low. The digital stroke only lags the pen tip when drawing long, fast lines – no different from the other Pencils. Buyers have to do without pressure sensors, so lines do not become thicker when you press harder. However, if you use the stylus for handwritten text entries, markings and operating the iPad, you can get by without the pressure level recognition. The latter is mainly relevant for drawing and sketching.
The Pencil USB-C also transmits the tilt angle: if you hold it at an angle, you can work on a flat surface, similar to a pencil. The hover function on the iPad Pro M2/M4 and iPad Air M2 is also supported. This allows apps such as Procreate to show a preview of the tool before the tip touches the screen.
| Apple Pencil: comparison of functions | ||||
| Apple Pencil 1 | Apple Pencil 2 | Apple Pencil USB-C | Apple Pencil Pro | |
| Suitable for | all Lightning iPads and iPad 10 | USB-C iPads except iPad 10, iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 | all USB-C-iPads | iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 |
| Charging | Lightning |
Induction |
USB-C | Induction |
| Pressure levels | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ |
|
Tilt |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hover (only iPad Air M2, iPad Pro M2/M4) | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| "Squeeze" and rotation | – | – | – | ✓ |
|
Price |
119 € | 149 € | 89 € | 149 € |
| ✓ available – not available | ||||
The new Pencil lacks a tap gesture to change the pen function. However, not everyone is likely to miss it: Some users often trigger the gesture involuntarily with Pencil 2 and Pencil Pro. The Pro model, which is almost twice as expensive, is reserved for pinch gestures and rotation sensors.
The Pencil USB-C (ab 83,85 €) is a good option for iPad owners: Apple's hefty surcharge for pressure sensitivity and additional sensors can be saved for users who mainly write, make annotations or use the pencil to operate the operating system anyway. Real savers will find a chunkier alternative in Logitech's Crayon. The latter offers practically the same technology and is cheaper - especially in the old version, which still has to be charged via Lightning.
Apple Pencil USB-C (iPad stylus)
Manufacturer: Apple // Dimensions: 15.5 cm long, diameter 0.9 cm// Weight: 20.5 g // Scope of delivery: Pencil only // System requirements: iPad with USB-C port, iPadOS 17.1.1 or higher // Price (RRP): €89
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