It was originally expected that Apple would launch the new Apple Pencil 3 before the end of 2023. Unexpectedly, Apple directly launched the Apple Pencil USB-C through a press release. Judging from the naming rules and positioning, this new Apple Pencil focuses on the USB-C interface. , which is also Apple’s cheapest Apple Pencil, can be purchased for only NT$2,690.
Is the Apple Pencil USB-C worth buying? Through this Apple Pencil unboxing strap, you can learn about the differences between this Apple Pencil stylus, which is praised by Apple as a great value, and the Apple Pencil 2 strap, and who is suitable for it? What is the difference between it and the subsidiary Apple Pencil?
Apple Pencil USB-C unboxing review: the cheapest original stylus for writing
After receiving the Apple Pencil (USB-C), I found that the packaging box still maintains Apple’s simple style, with the Apple Pencil pattern on the front and the Pencil Logo on the side.
The most unique thing is that the bottom outer box of the Apple Pencil USB-C is also designed with a paper seal, instead of being fixed by a tape before. This is almost the same as the iPhone packaging, which is environmentally friendly.
There are only Apple Pencil USB-C and instruction box in the box. There is no additional USB-C charging cable. You need to prepare the charging cable yourself.
Compared with the Apple Pencil 2nd generation, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) body has the same appearance with a white matte texture and a flattened side design, and the body length is also slightly shorter.
The tip of the Apple Pencil (USB-C) adopts a cutout design. Compared with the Apple Pencil 2, which has no cutout, the main charging method is wireless charging.
Top: Apple Pencil (USB-C), Bottom: Apple Pencil 2
Just pull open the Apple Pencil USB-C sliding cover, and you can see the USB-C charging hole. What’s clever is that Apple added an extra elastic buckle design to the sliding cover, which can be fixed after being opened. , to prevent the pen cap from automatically sliding off.
After opening the cutout above the USB-C pen tip, the overall length of the pen body is almost the same as that of the Apple Pencil 2nd generation. This may be the main reason why Apple shortens the length of the Apple Pencil USB-C body, but for an affordable entry-level model , just in terms of appearance, texture and design, compared to Apple Pencil 2, you can feel that it is a bargain.
Since the USB-C charging hole has been designed, if you want to charge the Apple Pencil, you can only find a USB-C charging cable and connect it to the charger or iPad device to recharge. This time, we finally solved the problem that the previous iPad 10 generation needed to add an additional adapter to charge the Apple Pencil using the USB-C hole.
However, please note that the Apple Pencil USB-C stylus can only be adapted to USB-C iPad models, which means that the old Lightning iPad cannot use the USB-C Apple Pencil.
It is worth mentioning that although the Apple Pencil USB-C supports magnetic attraction, it cannot actually be charged. It can only be used to pair with the iPad and magnetically attach to it. There is another pairing method through a USB-C transmission cable. Connect to iPad charging hole.
What’s more embarrassing is that I just unboxed the Apple Pencil USB-C and found that the whole pen seemed to be completely out of power. It was completely unresponsive when it was directly magnetically attached to the side of the iPad Pro and when connected to the USB-C charging hole by wire. I first connected it through the USB – After the C charger charges the Apple Pencil, it must be magnetically attached to the side of the iPad to pair and read the Apple Pencil’s power.
That also means that if the Apple Pencil is adsorbed to the side of the iPad body when it is out of power, it will become unresponsive and can only be recharged through wired USB-C before it can continue to be used. This design sometimes makes people confused about the Apple Pencil. How much power does it have left?
The weight of the Apple Pencil USB-C body is about 20.5 grams. It has a certain weight, grip and writing comfort that are almost the same as the Apple Pencil 2 generation. If you write with your eyes closed, use two pens to feel it. For users who only need to take notes Basically I can’t feel any difference.
In addition to magnetic adsorption, the USB-C version of Apple Pencil also supports a floating function. It can be hovered on the iPad Pro screen to preview before starting to click or write.
For a stylus that focuses on writing notes, although Apple Pencil USB-C does not have pressure sensitivity and the function of switching tools with two clicks, it actually does not affect the writing performance of ordinary users, at least in terms of pixel accuracy. , low latency, and tilt-sensing USB-C Apple Pencil have them all. This is the core function of Apple Pencil.
If you have noticed that Apple launched the note-taking tool “Boundless Notes App” in iOS 16.2, the brush tool does not support the pressure-sensitive function. This is mainly because for a real-time collaborative note-taking software, it can improve fast synchronization and not take up too much. Space will be a more important factor, which is also the biggest feature of Apple Pencil USB-C.
Is the Apple Pencil USB-C worth buying? Who is suitable to start?
Apple will choose to quickly launch the USB-C version of Apple Pencil at the end of 2023. I think this device is mainly launched for the tenth generation of iPad. After all, no users are willing to buy Apple Pencil. It also needs a Lightning adapter and charging cable to charge the pen. , on the contrary, now you don’t need an adapter, you can also charge your iPad through a USB-C cable, and you won’t be ridiculed by consumers for the stupid design.
At present, the Apple Pencil USB-C support part is also compatible with various new generation iPad products. Users who plan to buy an Apple Pencil may be confused. Should I buy the Apple Pnecil 2nd generation or the USB-C model? Or would it be more suitable to buy a third-party Apple Pencil?
When you decide to consider Apple Pencil, you must first understand your functional needs. Instead of pursuing the top quality, the functions will be completely useless. Buying a product that is not suitable for you will lead to a waste of money. The following are suggestions based on usage requirements:
Suitable for buying Apple Pencil 2nd generation
Consumers who are suitable to buy Apple Pencil 2nd generation are more inclined to buy it for professional users such as drawing, illustration, design, photography, etc., who will need to use more advanced pressure sensing and double-click tool switching functions, which are intended to quickly switch between different tools. .
Who should buy Apple Pencil USB-C
If you buy an iPad and use it with Apple Pencil for studying, writing homework, taking notes and annotating, you usually just write, check and draw simple line patterns. Then pressure sensing and double-click switching tools are not necessary functions. Choose Apple Pencil USB-C It’s quite suitable.
Simply put, the USB-C Apple Pencil is a product designed for iPad note taking.
Sub-factory Apple Pencil stylus is more powerful and cheaper
Since you only buy Apple Pencil for note-taking, why not just consider the cheaper Apple Pencil from a subsidiary manufacturer? After all, the USB-C Apple Pencil also does not have a pressure-sensitive function. Even if it is paired with the iPad 10th generation product, it cannot use the floating function. If you want to save money, it is not impossible to consider a third-party sub-factory stylus.
As for Penoval, the most well-known Apple Pencil subsidiary stylus brand on the market, its price is at least more than a thousand yuan cheaper than Apple Pencil USB-C. There is basically no difference in body design, grip comfort, latency and accuracy. It is large, and it also has a USB-C charging hole design on the pen body, and you can also know the current battery status through the body.
The Penoval pen tip also adopts a replaceable design, and the price of the pen tip is relatively cheaper than Apple’s original Apple Pencil. It can also replace the metal pen tip, so that the stylus can be used with the iPad to write notes with a paper-like film, which will be closer to the writing texture of real paper. .
If you plan to buy a note-taking stylus that can only be used with the iPad tablet, and you have price and budget considerations, you can choose the Penoval stylus. For details, please refer to the comparison table of differences between the Apple Pencil and the subsidiary Penoval compiled later.
Apple Pencil USB-C vs. Penoval factory stylus comparison table
Below is a comparison table of specifications between Apple Pencil USB-C and subsidiary Penoval stylus pens (AX, AX Pro2, AX Ultra). The differences between the four models are as follows:
| Specification | Apple Pencil USB-C | Penoval AX | Penoval AX Pro2 | Penoval AX Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| price | $2690 | $1390 | $1490 | $1890 |
| Pen body size | 155×8.9mm | 166*8.9mm | 166×8.9mm | 166*9.5mm |
| weight | 20.5g | 15g | 15g | 15g |
| Charging interface | USB-C | USB-C | Magnetic charging | USB-C |
| shortcut key | none | none | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Tilt angle | none | none | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Pixel accuracy | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Write casually | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Prevent palm accidental touch | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Quick screenshot | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| quick memo | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| floating function | Yes ✅ | none | none | none |
Apple Pencil 1st generation, 2nd generation, USB-C vs. Penoval AX Pro2 stylus specifications comparison table
| Specification | Apple Pencil 1 | Apple Pencil 2 | Apple Pencil USB-C | Penoval AX Pro2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| price | $3,290 | $4,390 | $2,690 | $1,490 |
| Pen body size | 175.7 x 8.9mm | 166×8.9mm | 155×8.9mm | 166×8.9mm |
| weight | 20.7g | 20.7g | 20.5g | 15g |
| Charging interface | USB-C | Magnetic charging | USB-C | Magnetic charging |
| shortcut key | none | Yes ✅ | none | Yes ✅ |
| Tilt angle | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | none | Yes ✅ |
| Pixel accuracy | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Write casually | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Prevent palm accidental touch | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Quick screenshot | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| quick memo | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
Apple Pencil USB-C unboxing review summary
Apple has launched the Apple Pencil USB-C version, mainly for iPad users who only need to write and take notes. You can also buy the original Apple Pencil in a more favorable and cost-effective way. However, the model is only limited to iPads from the 10th generation onwards. The model is suitable.
If the budget of the petty bourgeoisie or students is really not enough, they will not be limited to Apple’s original Apple Pencil products. If they want to buy a cheap and easy-to-use sub-factory stylus, the Penoval stylus is also a good choice. The appearance design is comparable to the original one. The factory stylus is very functional and cost-effective, and can be used for iPad writing and basic drawing. Although the factory stylus does not have a floating function, it can realize the Apple Pencil 2 magnetic charging, tilt angle functions, and other functions. You need to carry a transmission cable with you to charge. If you want to know more about Penoval’s functions and reviews, you can also refer to the comparison above with Mr. Crazy’s previous unboxing review:
