A new Apple Pencil: as if it wasn't complicated enough already

Until now, Apple had two pens in its range that you could use to operate and write on your iPad. The two pens are not compatible with all iPads, which can quickly lead to confusion. That's why I recently clarified things a bit and also included pens from third-party providers in my overview.

Now comes Apple's newest member. In addition to the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and the Apple Pencil (2nd gen), there is now the Apple Pencil. Without an add-on. But announced with "more choice in the line up". Apple has thus added to the confusion surrounding compatibility and charging options.

What's new about the new Apple Pencil?

First things first: Apple introduces the new Pencil and emphasises that it responds precisely, has low latency and also reacts to tilting. This in itself is nothing groundbreaking and is also emphasised by the manufacturer with the other two styluses. The flat side for magnetic attachment to the iPad is also available.

"New" is actually only the USB-C port. You read that correctly. USB-C! Although this is just as ground-breaking and innovative as the iPhone 15, it also makes sense: iPads have long had a USB-C port, so why not the accessories too? So you can charge your tablet and pen with the same cable. And your iPhone. But is that the only reason for a new pen?

Why do we need this Apple Pencil?

The Apple Pencil (1st gen) has been on the market since 2015 and still has a Lightning connector. Exactly. Not a connector, but the plug. This is quite inconvenient for charging when everything else now has USB-C. It's also not compatible with all models and for the iPad (10th gen) you even need an additional adapter for charging. That sounds like a pretty tinkered solution.

Then there's the Apple Pencil (2nd gen). This can already be charged wirelessly via the magnetic attachment on the iPad. However, wireless charging is only built into some iPad models. And the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) is only compatible with those iPads. Apple has therefore created a table to provide an overview of all this chaos.

With the new Apple Pencil, you no longer have any of these problems. It is compatible with all iPads that have a USB-C port. Full stop. One minor drawback: If you attach the Apple Pencil to the iPads with a magnetic holder, it only goes into sleep mode. Wireless charging is no longer possible.

Being cheap has its price

Apple advertises the new pen as the cheapest model in the series. Apple sells the first generation for 120 euros or 110 francs and the second for 140 euros or francs. With us, you can get them for even less. Nevertheless, the 95 euros or 80 francs for the new Pencil are actually the smallest amount compared to them.

However, the latest Pencil lacks something in addition to the wireless charging function: pressure recognition. This allows me to draw thicker and thinner lines depending on how hard I press the pen on the tablet. This is perfect for writing down authentic notes or for drawing great works of art without constantly fiddling with the line thickness in the settings. If you don't need pressure recognition and wireless charging, you could fall back on any third-party pens. These have been offering the same scope for longer and are often much cheaper.

Overall, the compatibility and functions of all three Pencils have become even more confusing. But don't worry: Apple also provides a table here to give you an overview of the functions.

The pencil should be available from November. By then, I might be able to make sense of the new Apple Pencil.