Apple’s stylus lineup offers two compelling options for iPad users: the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C. Launched in 2024, the Apple Pencil Pro introduces advanced features like haptic feedback and gesture controls, catering to professional creatives. The Apple Pencil USB-C, designed for affordability and versatility, provides essential functionality across a broader range of iPads. Both enhance productivity on devices like the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad 10th generation, making them ideal for artists, note-takers, and casual users.
For those seeking a personalized touch, Craft By Merlin offers hand-painted customizations, transforming these tools into unique works of art. This informative article compares the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, detailing their features, pros, cons, custom designs from us, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Design and Build Quality
Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro features a premium matte white finish with a sleek, cylindrical design that magnetically attaches to compatible iPads for storage and charging. It includes a squeeze gesture sensor and barrel roll detection for intuitive controls. Weighing 20.7 grams, it’s lightweight with a flat edge to prevent rolling. The Pro supports wireless charging via the iPad’s magnetic connector and has an IPX water resistance rating for light splashes, ideal for creative environments.
Apple Pencil USB-C
The Apple Pencil USB-C has a glossy white finish and a similar cylindrical shape but lacks the Pro’s advanced sensors. It magnetically attaches to iPads for storage and charges via a USB-C cable connected to the iPad’s port. At 20.5 grams, it’s equally lightweight, with a sliding cap to protect the USB-C tip. While it omits gesture features, its design prioritizes simplicity and affordability, with no official water resistance rating.
Both pencils are crafted for precision, but the Pro’s sensors enhance interactivity for professional tasks.
Functionality and Features
Pressure and Tilt Sensitivity
Both pencils offer 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition, enabling natural brush strokes and shading in apps like Procreate, GoodNotes, or Notes, perfect for sketching and writing.
Advanced Controls on Apple Pencil Pro
The Pro model includes:
- Squeeze Gesture: A gentle squeeze triggers haptic feedback and a palette tool menu for quick access to brushes, colors, or erasers.
- Barrel Roll Detection: Rotate the pencil to switch tools or adjust canvas orientation, mimicking traditional drawing techniques.
- Haptic Feedback: Provides tactile confirmation for gestures, enhancing app interactions.
These features streamline complex workflows in illustration or 3D modeling.
Simplicity of Apple Pencil USB-C
The USB-C model focuses on core functionality:
- Hover Detection: Previews strokes before touching the screen, ideal for precise placement on supported iPads.
- No Advanced Gestures: Relies on iPad touch controls for tool switching, keeping interactions straightforward.
The USB-C Pencil is suited for basic tasks like note-taking or casual sketching.
Battery Life and Charging
Apple Pencil Pro: Up to 12 hours of battery life, with wireless magnetic charging on compatible iPads (iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2). A 15-second charge provides 30 minutes of use.
Apple Pencil USB-C: Similar 12-hour battery life but requires USB-C cable charging, connectable to the iPad or a power source. No wireless charging.
Both display low battery alerts on the iPad, but the Pro’s wireless charging adds convenience.
Compatibility
Apple Pencil Pro
Compatible with iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), and iPad Air 11-inch (M2). It supports Apple Pencil Hover on M4 iPads, making it ideal for newer, high-performance devices.
Apple Pencil USB-C
Supports a wider range: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd-6th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st-4th gen), iPad Air (3rd gen and later), iPad (10th gen), and iPad mini (6th gen). It also offers Hover on M2 and M4 iPads, ensuring versatility for older models.
The Pro is tailored for M-series iPads, while the USB-C suits users with older iPads.
Pros and Cons
Apple Pencil Pro
Pros:
- Squeeze and barrel roll gestures for intuitive control.
- Haptic feedback enhances interaction.
- Wireless charging and premium build.
- Ideal for professional artists and designers.
Cons:
- Limited to newer M-series iPads.
- Higher cost for advanced features.
- No USB-C port for direct charging.
Apple Pencil USB-C
Pros:
- Affordable entry-level option.
- Broad iPad compatibility.
- USB-C charging for simplicity.
- Hover detection on supported iPads.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced gestures and haptic feedback.
- No wireless charging.
- Less premium feel.
The Pro is best for power users, while the USB-C is ideal for beginners or those with older iPads.
Use Cases and Recommendations
Apple Pencil Pro for Professionals
Perfect for digital artists, animators, or designers using apps like Procreate or Adobe Fresco on M-series iPads. The squeeze gesture, barrel roll, and haptic feedback enhance efficiency for detailed illustrations or 3D modeling.
Apple Pencil USB-C for Everyday Users
Ideal for students, note-takers, or casual sketchers on older iPads. It delivers essential pressure and tilt sensitivity for annotating PDFs or doodling, offering value for basic needs.
Both pencils boost iPad productivity, with the Pro suited for intensive creative work and the USB-C for general use.
Craft By Merlin’s Hand-Painted Customizations
We transform genuine Apple Pencils into personalized masterpieces using automotive-grade paints and scratch-resistant coatings. Based in Dubai, we offer free worldwide delivery and eco-friendly practices, planting a tree per purchase via Evertreen. Their designs preserve functionality, including pressure sensitivity and charging, with a one-year warranty.
Top 5 Hand-Painted Apple Pencil Pro Products
Apple Pencil Pro Black Matte: A sleek black matte finish, ideal for professionals seeking a sophisticated look that pairs with dark iPad cases.
Apple Pencil Pro Blue Black: A fusion of blue and black hues, offering a classic, comfortable grip for digital artists.
Apple Pencil Pro Metallic Silver: A reflective silver finish, adding elegance for collaborative or professional settings.
Apple Pencil Pro Pink Matte: A vibrant pink matte design, lightweight and colorful, perfect for bold creative expression.
Apple Pencil Pro Yellow Black: A nostalgic yellow and black combo with a graphic style, durable for daily sketching.
Best 5 Hand-Painted Apple Pencil USB-C Products
Apple Pencil USB-C Neon Yellow: A bold neon yellow design with free name engraving, ideal for artists seeking vibrant visibility.
Apple Pencil USB-C Pink Matte: A sophisticated pink matte finish with free engraving, suited for note-takers wanting a professional aesthetic.
Apple Pencil USB-C Pink Glossy: A vibrant pink glossy edition with free engraving, offering a luxurious feel.
Apple Pencil USB-C Black Matte: A minimalist black matte design with free engraving, perfect for precision-focused users.
Apple Pencil USB-C Steel Matte: A subtle steel matte finish with free engraving, combining sophistication and durability.
We ensure compatibility and durability through rigorous testing, with global delivery making customization accessible.
Conclusion
The Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C cater to different needs: the Pro for advanced creatives with gesture controls and haptic feedback on M-series iPads, and the USB-C for versatile, budget-friendly use across more iPads. Both excel in precision for drawing and note-taking.
Choose based on your iPad and creative needs, and explore Craft By Merlin for a unique stylus experience.
FAQs
Q1: What are the main differences between the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C?
A: The Pro offers squeeze gestures, barrel roll detection, haptic feedback, and wireless charging, but is limited to M-series iPads. The USB-C model is more affordable, supports a wider range of iPads, and uses USB-C charging but lacks advanced gestures.
Q2: Which iPads are compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C?
A: The Pro works with iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), and iPad Air 11-inch (M2). The USB-C supports iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd-6th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st-4th gen), iPad Air (3rd gen and later), iPad (10th gen), and iPad mini (6th gen).
Q3: Do hand-painted designs affect functionality?
A: No, their designs use lightweight, automotive-grade paints and coatings, preserving pressure sensitivity, charging, and other features, backed by a one-year warranty.
Q4: Can both Apple Pencils be used for professional art?
A: Yes, both offer pressure and tilt sensitivity, but the Pro’s advanced gestures and haptic feedback make it better for complex tasks in apps like Procreate, while the USB-C is great for simpler sketches.
Q5: Is shipping free for Craft By Merlin’s custom Pencils?
A: Yes, we offer free worldwide delivery to the USA, UAE, India, and beyond in 7–14 days with tracking.
