Should you get an Apple Pencil Pro? Here’s everything you need to know

Apple just yesterday announced the new Apple Pencil Pro alongside the new lineup of iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets, and it’s a significant upgrade over the previously available Apple Pencil models, including the first-generation, second-generation, and the Apple Pencil with USB-C.

But what are you actually getting with the Apple Pencil Pro, and is it actually worth buying? That’s a question we’ll answer in today’s piece.

Apple Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil Pro is the newest product in the Apple Pencil lineup. If you thought things were already becoming confusing when Apple announced the Apple Pencil (USB-C) last year, which looks an awful lot like an Apple Pencil 2 already, then you might find that the modern lineup with four different models to include the original Apple Pencil makes things even more challenging to understand.

At its core, Apple Pencil Pro is by and far the best Apple Pencil you can buy right now. It has the highest number of integrated features and works with Apple’s latest 11 and 13-inch iPad Airs and iPad Pros. But as good as that sounds, there are some caveats that will turn potential buyers the other way, and it’s only fair we mention those.

New Features of Apple Pencil Pro

The Apple Pencil Pro is exactly the same size and shape as the Apple Pencil 2, however it’s slightly lighter at .68 of an ounce compared to .73 of an ounce. Personally, I find this interesting as the Apple Pencil Pro includes more features and tech inside than the Apple Pencil 2.

The Apple Pencil Pro includes all the same great features as the Apple Pencil 2, including:

• Pixel-perfect precision
• Low latency
• Tilt sensitivity
• Pressure sensitivity
• Magnetic attachment to supported iPad models
• Wireless pairing & charging
• Apple Pencil Hover
• Double-tap gesture
• Optional free engraving

But what makes the Apple Pencil Pro particularly unique is that it adds the following new features that the Apple Pencil 2 and other models lack:

• Squeeze gesture – brings up a palette so that you can change tools, customize line weights, or select colors
• Barrel roll – uses a gyroscope to detect Apple Pencil Pro rotations for selecting shaped pen and brush tools
• Haptic feedback – a custom haptic ending provides pulsation feedback when squeezing or double-tapping
• Find My support – track your missing Apple Pencil Pro down when you lose it via the Find My network

Those are some awesome new features – great, so why shouldn’t you buy one today?

Why you may not want the Apple Pencil Pro

Despite looking exactly like the Apple Pencil 2, having the exact same dimensions, and connecting to your iPad in the same way, there are some reasons why you may want to steer clear of this feature-packed Apple-branded digital stylus. Let us explain…

According to Apple’s own website, the Apple Pencil Pro is only compatible with the new iPads that Apple announced at its ‘Let Loose’ event – the M2 chip-equipped 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air, and the M4 chip-equipped 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro.

Indeed… this means that if you’re using an older iPad model, you can’t use the That makes the Apple Pencil Pro a lot less of an upgrade to your existing kit and more of a new product to go along with Apple’s shiny new iPad models.

This seems kind of ridiculous, but it’s typical of Apple to limit hardware via software to make newer products seem more appealing. We’ve seen time and time again with jailbreak tweaks that it’s possible to unlock compatibility with older devices, so this is more often than not an intentional software limitation imposed by Apple. We haven’t confirmed if that’s the case here, but it will be interesting to see if jailbreak tweaks will unlock this functionality on older jailbroken iPads that already support the Apple Pencil 2.

Apple Pencil Pro also requires iPadOS 17.5 or later, which offers a significant conflict for anyone trying to stay on the lowest possible firmware for a jailbreak, so this paired with requiring the latest hardware is a no-go for jailbreak hobbyists.

Why you would want the Apple Pencil Pro

If you’re splurging on a brand-new iPad Air or iPad Pro this refresh cycle, and you want the latest drawing utensil with the best features, then the Apple Pencil Pro is the best – no question.

In fact, you can’t even use the Apple Pencil 2 or Apple Pencil (USB-C) with the latest 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro, so you’re almost being forced to buy the latest Apple Pencil Pro if you want to use any sort of first party digital stylus with your tablet.

We should also add that the Apple Pencil Pro is the exact same price as the Apple Pencil 2 at $129 from Apple’s website, or just $119 from Apple’s Education Store. This is an attractive price point for the value you’re getting, as it’s more feature-packed than the Apple Pencil 2. On the other hand, you need the latest iPad Air or iPad Pro to actually use it, so the two styluses aren’t really competing with one another in any way, shape, or form.

Wrapping up

Should you get the Apple Pencil Pro? If you’re getting the new iPad Air or iPad Pro, and you want a first-party stylus, then you don’t really have a choice. But if you’re still using an older iPad, then the answer is a solid absolutely not.

Also read: Apple Pencil Pro tech specs

Are you getting an Apple Pencil Pro? Let us know why or why not in the comments section down below.

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