Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil is a line of wireless stylus pen accessories designed and developed by Apple Inc. for use with supported iPad tablets.
Apple Pencil (second generation) | |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. |
| Type | Digital stylus |
| Release date | November 11, 2015 (1st generation)
November 7, 2018 (2nd generation) November 1, 2023 (USB-C) |
| Introductory price | US$99 |
| System on a chip | 32-bit RISC ARM-based Cortex-M3 |
| CPU | STMicroelectronics STM32L151UCY6 Ultra-low-power MCU @ 32 MHz |
| Memory | 64-Kilobyte Flash |
| Input | First generation: Lightning connector eight pin, Bluetooth 4.1 Second generation: Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Power | 3.82 V 0.329 W·h (86.1 mA·h) |
| Dimensions | First generation: Length: 6.92 inches (176 mm) measured from tip to cap Diameter: 0.35 inches (8.9 mm) Second generation: Length: 6.10 inches (155 mm) Diameter: 0.29 inches (7.4 mm) |
| Mass | 0.73 ounces (21 g) |
| Website | www |
The first-generation Apple Pencil was announced alongside the first iPad Pro on September 9, 2015. It communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth and has a removable cap that conceals a Lightning connector used for charging. The Pencil is compatible with the first- and second-generation iPad Pro models, and the sixth through tenth-generation iPad models (with the latter requiring a USB-C adapter).
The second-generation Apple Pencil was announced on October 30, 2018, alongside the third-generation iPad Pro, and is used with most iPad models that contain a USB-C connector (excluding the tenth-generation iPad). It uses a magnetic connector on the side of the tablet for charging rather than a Lightning connector, and includes touch-sensitive areas that can be tapped to perform actions within supported apps. In October 2023, Apple announced a third Apple Pencil model, intended as a lower-cost alternative to the second-generation Pencil on iPad models with USB-C connectors; this version removes the pen pressure sensitivity, touch-sensitive areas, and magnetic charging features, and is charged using a USB-C connector concealed by sliding up its cap.
Apple has promoted the Pencil as being oriented towards creative work and productivity; during its unveiling, the Pencil's drawing capabilities were demonstrated using the mobile version of Adobe Photoshop, and its document-annotation capabilities were shown on several Microsoft Office apps.