Apple’s recent launch of USB-C has increased confusion among people. Apple Pencil Gen 1 Vs Gen 2 Vs USB-C – which one they should buy? You have come to the right place if you are one of them. We have covered everything you need to know about these three styluses. Therefore, you can easily decide which is ideal for you by comparing these three.
Without any doubt, USB-C is a feature-rich and affordable accessory launched in the Apple Pencil lineup. However, should you ditch the old Apple Pencil 1 or 2 for this new USB-C?
Read on to find its answer.
Also read: What Is Apple Pencil? Should You Buy It Or Not?
Quick Comparison Of Specifications – Apple Pencil Gen 1 Vs Gen 2 Vs USB-C
First, look at the quick comparison of these three Apple Pencils.
| Key Specifications | Apple Pencil Gen 1 | Apple Pencil Gen 2 | Apple Pencil – USB-C |
| Brand | Apple | Apple | Apple |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Lightning | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, USB-C |
| Dimensions | 6.92 inches long. Diameter – 0.35 inches | 6.53 inches long. Diameter – 0.35 inches | 6.1 inches long. Diameter – 0.29 inches |
| Price | $99 | $129 | $79 |
| Weight | 20.7g | 20.7g | 20.5g |
| Finish Type | Glossy | Matte | Matte |
| iPad Compatibility | iPad (6th Generation to 10th Generation), iPad Air (3rd Generation), iPad Mini (5th Generation), iPad Pro (9.7 inches, 10.5 inches, 12.9-inches (1st Generation and 2nd Generation) | iPad Pro 12.9 inches (3rd Generation – 6th Generation), iPad Mini (6th Generation), iPad Air (4th Generation , 5th Generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Generation to 4th Generation) | iPad Air (4th Generation , 5th Generation), iPad Mini (6th Generation), iPad Pro 12.9 inches (3rd Generation – 6th Generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Generation to 4th Generation) |
Quick Comparision Of Features – Apple Pencil Gen 1 Vs Gen 2 Vs USB-C
Let’s check out a few features of Apple Pencils. It will help you decide which one you should buy.
| Key Features | Apple Pencil Gen 1 | Apple Pencil Gen 2 | Apple Pencil – USB-C |
| Low Latency | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure Sensitivity | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free Engraving | Yes | No | No |
| Wireless Charging | No | Yes | No |
| Tilt Sensitivity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Precision Sketching & Writing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Magnetic Attachment | No | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Cap | Yes | No | No |
| Double Tap Support | No | Yes | No |
| Apple Pencil Hover | No | Yes | Yes |
Let’s understand the primary purpose of these features.
Low Latency – When latency is low, it offers high responsiveness.
Pressure Sensitivity – Shows the natural response to light or deep pressure.
Magnetic Attachment – Helpful in storage, charging, and pairing
Tilt Sensitivity – Helps in shading or any other kind of drawing effect.
Double Tap Support – Immediate switch between various tools
Removable Cap – It will keep the charging port safe and sound.
Apple Pencil Hover – This feature instantly detects the Pencil above the screen.
Also read: How To Fix Apple Pencil Tip
Apple Pencil USB-C Vs Apple Pencil Gen 1
If you are looking for the budget-friendly Apple Pencil for your iPad Pro or iPad, USB-C is the perfect pick for you. This Pencil is sleek and chic, making it a preferred choice over its predecessors. Besides, with this stylus, you will also get vital features like hover, tilt-sensitivity, etc. Features that are lacking in USB-C are pressure sensitivity and double tap support.
Also read: Best Drawing Tablets For Aspiring Graphic Designers
The plus point of this USB-C pencil is this stylus is highly compatible with various iPad and iPad Pro models. Therefore, it is the perfect pick for all the upcoming models.
On the flip side, if pressure sensitivity is your main requirement, you should go for Apple Pencil Gen 1. However, this stylus does not have a magnetic attachment. It has a removable cap, but you can easily misplace it.
Also read: 8 Best iPad Pen Styluses For A Smoother iPad Experience
Bottom Line
In summary, if pressure sensitivity is not that important to you, you should go for USB-C. At a lower price, you are getting more features with USB-C.
Apple Pencil USB-C Vs Apple Pencil Gen 2
If you are a designer and have a choice between Apple Pencil Gen 2 and USB-C, you should go for Apple Pencil Gen 2. Do you want to know the reason behind it? It is pretty simple. Apple Pencil Gen 2 is a flagship stylus with impressive features such as pressure sensitivity, double tap gesture, and hover support. This feature is vital if you are a designer.
On the other hand, USB-C comes with basic features at an affordable rate. Therefore, you can go for this if you are a student and on a tight budget.
Bottom Line
Of course, Apple Pencil Gen 2 has more features than USB-C. So, it isn’t easy to choose the USB-C over it, but Apple Pencil Gen 2 is worth its price.
Also read: How To Make A Stylus Pen At Home?
Pros and Cons Of Apple Pencil Gen 1
Pros
- Pressure sensitivity
- Tilt sensitivity
- Simple design
Cons
- It is not compatible with iPad Pro and iPad Air 4th Generation.
Also read: iPad Buying Guide: Which iPad Should You Buy?
Pros and Cons Of Apple Pencil Gen 2
Pros
- Pressure sensitivity
- Wireless pairing
- Double tap gesture
- Wireless charging
Cons
- Expensive
- Do not support iPad (10th Generation)
Pros and Cons Of Apple Pencil USB-C
Pros
- Affordable
- Tilt sensitivity
- Hover support on iPad Pro
Cons
- Lacks wireless charging
- Pressure sensitivity is missing.
- It lacks double-tap gestures.
Also read: Is The iPad 8th Generation Worth In 2023?
Winding Up
In a nutshell, which Apple Pencil you should buy depends on your budget and your iPad model. In this article, you have compared all three – Apple Pencil Gen 1 Vs Gen 2 Vs USB-C. Analysing all three’s features and specifications will help you decide which one to buy.
Hopefully, this article helped you choose the Apple Pencil for your Still; if you have any queries, ask us in the comment section below.
Also read: Apple Discount For Students: Best University Deals You Cannot Miss
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Nishva Gandhi
Content Copy Writer with over 6 years of professional writing experience and hold a Master’s Degree in IT. I help businesses grow organically with captivating content & strategic social media tactics.