Apple is set to introduce a new Apple Pencil at the attractive price of $79, significantly cheaper than the previous second-generation Apple Pencil, making it an enticing option for users looking for a more budget-friendly stylus.
The budget Apple Pencil is designed to work with iPads featuring USB-C ports, ensuring a seamless connection with compatible devices. This makes it accessible to a broader range of iPad users.
While the budget Apple Pencil offers practical features like the hover function, pixel-perfect accuracy, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, it does not support pressure sensitivity. This omission may disappoint users who value the precise pressure control offered by other Apple Pencil models.
Unlike some Apple Pencils, this budget-friendly version lacks wireless charging. To charge it, users must remove the top to reveal a USB-C port for direct charging. Apple seems to be positioning this Pencil as a competitive response to alternatives like the Logitech Crayon, which offers comparable performance and accuracy without the need for immediate pairing.
Apple announces new ‘budget’ Pencil
At a glance
A new Apple Pencil is on the horizon. It is priced at $79, which is much cheaper than the second-generation Apple Pencil which costs $129, or P8,690 locally. So anyone who wants an Apple Pencil but is waiting for some big discount, here it is.
The budget Apple Pencil uses USB-C and is compatible with iPads using the same ports. However, since this is the cheaper Apple Pencil, Apple has stripped down some features. Primarily, the pressure sensitivity is out, which is a shame because the pressure sensitivity is one of the things that made the Apple Pencil so compelling.
You do get the hover feature, which is nice if you need to preview things. Apple has also promised this Pencil will get pixel-perfect accuracy, low-latency, and tilt sensitivity.
You can attach the Pencil to the iPad’s side via magnet, but it won’t charge, because there’s no wireless charging. If you want to charge the budget Apple Pencil, you’ll need to slide the top off to reveal the USB-C port and plug it in.
This budget Pencil seems to be Apple’s attempt to push aside competitors. A couple of months ago, I came across the Logitech Crayon, an Apple-approved stylus. The Crayon is $70 and is often compared to the Apple Pencil 2 in terms of performance. Sure, while the Crayon isn't pressure-sensitive, it's still a top alternative. It’s incredibly accurate and doesn’t need pairing right off the box.
The new Apple Pencil will be available in the US in November. So we can most likely expect it to arrive here soon. The local Apple website states the USB-C Pencil will be priced at P4,990.