Apple Introduces Pencil With Concealed USB-C Port That’s Friendlier On Wallets

Apple recently unveiled its latest product, a new Apple Pencil, with a price tag of US$79. This new addition to Apple’s lineup is designed to provide a more budget-friendly option for users.

One notable feature of the new Apple Pencil is its compatibility with any iPad with a USB-C port. This expanded support allows a broader range of users to benefit from the pencil’s functionality.

Regarding performance, the tech giant claims that the new Apple Pencil offers pixel-perfect accuracy, low latency, and tilt sensitivity.

However, this model does not include pressure sensitivity, a feature found in previous iterations of the Apple Pencil and one that might be valuable for artists and creatives. Another feature missing is the option to double-tap on the device to switch between tools.

Users with an M2-powered iPad can use the hover feature supported by the second-generation Apple Pencil to preview marks before applying them, which can be helpful for enhancing precision in various creative applications.

Apple has also switched up charging on this new version. Rather than offering wireless charging, the cap can be slid back to reveal a USB-C port, which must connect to a charging cable. It’s a bit like the first pencil to be released but a little more intuitive, as you won’t need to stick the entire thing into your iPad to charge.

The new pencil can also be magnetically attached to the side of an iPad for convenient storage.

For individuals interested in personalizing their Apple Pencil, it’s important to note that this version does not offer complimentary engraving. This is likely because the top portion, where the engravings would typically be located, now slides back to reveal the port.

On a broader scale, Apple’s shift away from the Lightning port in favor of USB-C, as evident in the Apple Pencil’s design, aligns with European Union regulations.

Shipping for the new Apple Pencil will begin in early November.

[via Engadget and Apple Insider, images via Apple]