Apple Pencil USB-C

I was a little skeptical about the USB-C version since it's cheaper than the Pro, but honestly it does everything I need it to. I use it mostly for note-taking in GoodNotes and occasional sketching in Procreate, and I haven't noticed any lag or issues with palm rejection. The USB-C charging is super convenient since I can just use the same cable as my MacBook and iPad. No more hunting for a lightning cable. The pencil pairs instantly and stays connected. For the price, this is an absolute steal compared to the Pro if you don't need the pressure sensitivity or the double-tap gesture. I've had mine for about two months now and the battery still holds a full day of heavy use. The matte finish feels nice in the hand too, not slippery at all. Only minor complaint is that the cap for the USB-C port is a little easy to lose, so I just leave it at home. Overall, highly recommend if you're on the fence.

Recommended

I've been using the Apple Pencil USB-C for about three months now, and I wanted to share a thorough review for anyone trying to decide between this and the Pro. I'm a graphic design student, so I use the pencil heavily every single day — probably 4-6 hours of drawing, sketching, and note-taking. Let me start with what's good. The build quality is excellent. It feels solid in the hand, the weight distribution is balanced, and the matte finish gives it a nice grip that doesn't get slippery even after hours of use. The latency is basically nonexistent on my M2 iPad Air — the line appears exactly where I put the tip with no noticeable delay. Pairing is dead simple: you just plug it into the USB-C port of your iPad (or use the included USB-C cable) and it pairs instantly. After the initial pairing, it reconnects automatically every time. Battery life has been really impressive. I charge it maybe once a week and I've never had it die on me in the middle of a project. The USB-C charging is great because I can use my laptop charger, my power bank, or even my phone charger. No proprietary nonsense. Now for the things that might be dealbreakers depending on your use case. The biggest omission is pressure sensitivity. This is a big deal if you do any kind of digital art. Without it, you can't vary line weight by pressing harder or softer. I've had to adjust my workflow to rely more on brush size settings and opacity controls in Procreate and Clip Studio Paint. It's workable but it's not the same. If you're a professional illustrator or someone who needs precise line variation, just get the Pro. For me as a student, I've adapted and it's fine, but I do sometimes wish I had saved up more. The other thing is the lack of wireless charging. The Pro attaches magnetically to the iPad and charges, which is super convenient. With this one, you either plug it into the iPad's USB-C port (which looks a little silly) or use the cable. The little cap that covers the USB-C port is also a minor annoyance — it's not attached to the pencil in any way, so it's very easy to lose. I keep mine in a small pouch in my bag. The hover feature works on supported iPads and it's actually pretty useful for previewing where your brush will land. Tilt sensitivity is also present and works well for shading. Palm rejection has been flawless in every app I've tried. Overall, I'd say this pencil is a great value if you're a student, a note-taker, or a casual sketcher. If you're a serious digital artist or you need pressure sensitivity for your work, spend the extra money on the Pro. For everyone else, this is more than enough pencil and you'll save a good chunk of change.

Recommended

I got this to replace my old first-gen Apple Pencil that finally gave out. It works fine for basic stuff like taking notes and marking up PDFs. The pairing was easy and it charges quick. But I was kinda disappointed that there's no pressure sensitivity. I'm not even an artist or anything, but I noticed right away that my handwriting looks different without it, like the lines are all the same thickness. Also the lack of wireless charging is a bummer for the price. I mean I know it's cheaper than the Pro but still. It feels like they cut too many corners. The pencil itself feels good quality and the battery life is decent. I just wish I had spent a little more for the Pro honestly.

Would not recommend this product

I ordred this as an open-box/refurbished option so I was a little nervous about what I'd get. When it arrived the packaging was a bit beat up but the pencil itself was in really good shape. There's a small scuff near the tip but honestly you can barely see it and it doesn't affect performance at all. The screen feels clean, no deep scratches or anything. It paired with my iPad mini right away and I've been using it daily for about two weeks now. Zero issues with connectivity or battery. For the discounted price I paid, I feel like I got a great deal. If you're looking to save some money and don't mind minor cosmetic stuff, going refurbished or open-box on this pencil is totally worth it. Just make sure the seller has a good return policy just in case.

Recommended

Bought this for my daughter who uses it for school on her iPad. She loves it. Works great, no issues. Good price too.

Recommended