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After a few last minute rumors, Apple has finally taken the wraps off of a new Apple Pencil. Which, honestly, it’s about time. The previous generation was announced back in 2018. So it was about time we got a new model. But, interestingly, it is not being called a “3rd generation”, only “Apple Pencil (USB-C) and it also comes in cheaper than the previous two Apple Pencils.
The new Apple Pencil makes a few changes that might be a bit odd. Like having an actual USB-C port built-in. It has a sliding cap at the top that reveals the USB-C port. And this will allow users to pair and charge via a USB-C cable. It also has a mate finish and looks very similar to the second-generation Apple Pencil.
It also features low latency and tilt sensitivity like the other Apple Pencil options on the market. But it does miss out on pressure sensitivity. As well as wireless pairing, and charging. So now when you put it on the side of your iPad, it will only put the Pencil to sleep, not charge. It is also compatible with all USB-C iPads.
It’s almost like an “Apple Pencil SE”
This new Apple Pencil will be available in November and will cost you $79. That makes it $20 less than the original Apple Pencil and $50 less than the second-generation model. And with everything that it is missing here, it definitely sounds like it’s an Apple Pencil SE. But without the “SE” name. It’s a rather interesting move for Apple.
That also explains a bit better why this is not being called a “3rd Generation” Apple Pencil, but rather just adding “USB-C” to the name. A lot like Apple did with the AirPods Pro, but this is clearly a cheaper version of the Apple Pencil. The only question here is why? Were people really clamoring for a cheaper Apple Pencil? There’s quite a few features missing here, which make the Apple Pencil so great – like wireless charging.
