Today, Apple announced a new-and-improved Apple Pencil alongside new iPads at its May 7 "Let Loose" event.
Apple's graphic for today's event showed a hand holding a pencil, so it's no surprise that the Cupertino-based tech giant is unleashing a refresh of its popular stylus. However, what was surprising — and hinted at just the day before by Apple insiders — is that the new Apple Pencil is an entirely new model of the device called the Apple Pencil Pro, set to launch on May 15.
The new Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro is a pretty significant upgrade to the current Apple Pencil. However, at just $129, it appears Apple is replacing the current base Apple Pencil with the Apple Pencil Pro. Apple is also keeping the cheaper, lower-end model — now known as Apple Pencil.
So, what makes this new Apple Pencil Pro "pro?"
Haptic feedback
The Apple Pencil Pro offers haptic feedback, meaning users will feel vibration effects when using it, which match the actions being performed on the iPad.
For example, when users try to align objects in a photo editing or illustration app, they can feel the objects snap into alignment thanks to the Apple Pencil Pro's haptic feedback.
Physical interactivity
The Apple Pencil Pro also comes with several new features that allow users to interact with the iPad without touching the screen with the stylus.
For example, users can apply pressure to the Apple Pencil Pro by squeezing the device to perform certain tasks, such as opening a new tool palette.
The Apple Pencil Pro's internal gyroscope provides another new option. If a user twists the Apple Pencil Pro in their hand in a barrel roll-type motion, that provides another new array of options, such as the ability to change the shape of a brush in an illustration app.
This upgraded addition to the Apple Pencil lineup is sensitive to pressure and how the device is held by the user. Tilting the stylus at a certain angle will result in a different output on the iPad. Double-tapping the Apple Pencil Pro also activates shortcuts within iPad apps.
Developers can also create custom interactions and shortcuts and integrate them into specific Apple Pencil Pro movements.
The latest iPad accessory
According to Apple, the Apple Pencil Pro works with both the new iPad Pro and the new iPad Mini. However, it can only pair, charge, and be stored on the side of the new iPad Pro.
As mentioned, this new Apple Pencil Pro is an update on Apple's original model launched in 2018. There is no updated version of the lower-end model Apple Pencil released in 2023.
That gives users two different Apple Pencil models to choose from. But at that $129 price point, it's hard to imagine not just splurging on the Apple Pencil Pro with all its new additional features.
