Apple Pencil Pro compatible only with new 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models

Apple Pencil Pro

Users of iPads older than those announced yesterday cannot us Apple Pencil Pro as the new smart stylus is only compatible with the new iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), and iPad Air 11-inch (M2).

Apple Pencil Pro features even more capabilities and powerful new interactions that take the Apple Pencil experience even further. A new sensor in the barrel can sense a user’s squeeze, bringing up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, all without interrupting the creative process. A custom haptic engine delivers a light tap that provides confirmation when users squeeze, use double-tap, or snap to a Smart Shape for a remarkably intuitive experience. A gyroscope allows users to roll Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of the tool they’re using. Rotating the barrel changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools, just like pen and paper. And with Apple Pencil hover, users can visualize the exact orientation of a tool before making a mark.

With these advanced features, Apple Pencil Pro allows users to bring their ideas to life in entirely new ways, and developers can also create their own custom interactions. Apple Pencil Pro brings support for Find My for the first time to Apple Pencil, helping users locate Apple Pencil Pro if misplaced. It pairs, charges, and is stored on the side of iPad Pro through a new magnetic interface.

Julian Chokkattu for Wired:
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The new stylus is very similar to its predecessor, except there’s a new Squeeze function that lets you squeeze near the tip of the stylus to bring up a new tool palette on the screen. (The double-tap function is still present, allowing you to tap twice at the tip to switch back to the last-used tool in your drawing app.)

There’s a haptic motor inside so you can feel it when you squeeze. The motor also works when you double-tap to confirm by generating a tactile sensation to tell you the action worked successfully. Also new is a gyroscope, which lets you rotate the Pencil Pro as you sketch for even finer control. Lastly, the Apple Pencil Pro works with the company’s Find My app, so you can locate it if it’s misplaced.

These are nice improvements, but there’s nothing here that warrants the “Pro” moniker for the stylus. If I had any say, this would just be the Apple Pencil (3rd Generation). Alas, you now have four styli to choose from for your iPad: the Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (2nd Generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C), and Apple Pencil (1st Generation). This makes things even more confusing for the average person who already had to learn which of these Pencils is compatible with their iPad model.

But what’s grinding my gears is that the new Apple Pencil Pro works only with the new 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Yes, even if you spent $1,099 on the 2022 iPad Pro two years ago, you cannot use this new “Pro” stylus on that model. You’ll have to upgrade…

Know what’s worse? If you thought you could upgrade to the new iPad Pro or iPad Air from an older iPad and keep using the second-gen Apple Pencil you already own, think again. The new iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets only work with the two newest styli: the Apple Pencil (USB-C) that came out last year and the new Apple Pencil Pro. So if you are an avid Pencil user and want one of the new slates, you probably have to buy a new Apple Pencil.

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MacDailyNews Take: Hey, Julian et al., looks like it’s time to upgrade!

Apple’s iPad styli compatibility gauntlet:

• Apple Pencil Pro

iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
iPad Air 11-inch (M2)

• Apple Pencil (USB-C)

iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
iPad Air (5th generation)
iPad Air (4th generation)
iPad (10th generation)
iPad mini (6th generation)

• Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
iPad Air (5th generation)
iPad Air (4th generation)
iPad mini (6th generation)

• Apple Pencil (1st generation)

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
iPad Air (3rd generation)
iPad (10th generation)
iPad (9th generation)
iPad (8th generation)
iPad (7th generation)
iPad (6th generation)
iPad mini (5th generation)
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