Apple Pencil support on the iPad is now incredibly confusing – here’s how to work out which ones you can buy

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple's iPad 2024 event, which introduced four new slabs and upgraded the iPad Air and iPad Pro line, was a straightforward affair. Even the introduction of the Apple Pencil Pro was more or less expected. But with that last introduction comes a fair bit of confusion about the Apple Pencil line and its relationship to all the iPads Apple has on sale today.

The Apple iPad lineup now consists of:

And the Apple Pencil lineup now consists of four styluses:

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Apple Pencil pro
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
Apple Pencil USB-C
Apple Pencil (1st Generation)

All of these Apple Pencils are still for sale because, well, compatibility, And here's where things get really interesting. Even though there are all these iPads and Apple Pencils, not all Apple Pencils work with all iPads and vice versa. It's always just two. Here's how that breaks down:

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iPad	Apple Pencil (1st Generation)	Apple Pencil (Second Generation)	Apple Pencil USB-C	Apple Pencil Pro
iPad Pro 13-inch	Row 1 - Cell 1	Row 1 - Cell 2	Yes	Yes
iPad Pro 11-inch	Row 2 - Cell 1	Row 2 - Cell 2	Yes	Yes
iPad Air 6 13-inch	Row 3 - Cell 1	Row 3 - Cell 2	Yes	Yes
iPad Air 6 11-inch	Row 4 - Cell 1	Row 4 - Cell 2	Yes	Yes
iPad 10.9 inch	Yes	Row 5 - Cell 2	Yes	Row 5 - Cell 4
iPad mini	Row 6 - Cell 1	Yes	Yes	Row 6 - Cell 4

Perhaps the most surprising thing here is that the nine-year-old original Apple Pencil is still supported (and for sale!) anywhere. However, with Apple selling the iPad 10.9 for just $349 (it was originally $449 / £499 / AU$749), this aging piece of now $89 / £99 / AU$159 hardware is something of a necessity.

The Apple Pencil USB-C model is, at just $69 / £79 / AU$139, $20 cheaper than the original Pencil and the iPad 10.9 model supports it. Considering the cleaner design and that you don't need to use a USB-C-to-lighting adapter to charge and pair the Apple Pencil with your iPad, it sounds like a no-brainer. However, the cheapest Apple Pencil (the USB-C mode) lacks pressure sensitivity, a key component for any budding artist.

It seems that until the iPad 10.9 gets a refresh where it can support, say, the Apple $129 / £129 / AU$219 Pencil Pro and all its cool new features including haptics, squeeze, and Barrel Roll control, basic iPad owners must choose between an aging design and somewhat limited artistic capability.

The iPad mini 6 would seem the perfect candidate to support both the second generation and Pro Pencil models, but it's stuck with the quite able 2nd generation Pencil and the less-able, albeit very cheap, USB-C Pencil.

Got all that?

Yes, there are reasons that each iPad model has its own dual set, but for consumers, there might be a moment of confusion. (Worth noting is that the cheapest yet not-feature-complete Apple Pencil USB-C is the only model to support all on-sale from Apple iPad models).

Our advice is that after you've chosen your iPad model, choose the Apple Pencil that best matches your feature needs and budget. If, for instance, pressure sensitivity is a must and you just bought an iPad 10.9, well, I have an almost 10-year-old Apple Pencil to show you.

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A 38-year industry veteran and award-winning journalist, Lance has covered technology since PCs were the size of suitcases and “on line” meant “waiting.” He’s a former Lifewire Editor-in-Chief, Mashable Editor-in-Chief, and, before that, Editor in Chief of PCMag.com and Senior Vice President of Content for Ziff Davis, Inc. He also wrote a popular, weekly tech column for Medium called The Upgrade.

Lance Ulanoff makes frequent appearances on national, international, and local news programs including Live with Kelly and Mark, the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNBC, CNN, and the BBC.