Apple made a silent announcement today, and it is not new iPads. Instead, Apple revealed a new Pencil that comes with a USB-C port. At Php 4,990, the new Apple Pencil is the brand’s most affordable stylus for all iPad users, slotting in between the 1st-generation and 2nd-generation Apple Pencils.
It’s ironic that Apple is only releasing a Pencil with a USB-C port a year after announcing the 10th-generation iPad. We criticized the 10th-generation iPad last year for having a really dumb support for Apple Pencil. The 10th-generation iPad back then only supports the 1st-generation Apple Pencil, and users will need to fork Php 590 for a proprietary adapter to charge the 1st-generation Apple Pencil on the go.
Aside from being more affordable, the new Apple Pencil saves iPad users–specifically using the 10th-generation iPad–from fumbling with dongles just to charge it.
Being Apple’s most affordable stylus, the USB-C Pencil comes with a number of compromises. Unlike the 1st-generation and 2nd-generation Apple Pencils, it does not have pressure sensitivity and only magnetically connects to the side of the iPad–there’s no wireless charging with the USB-C Pencil. Despite those compromises, it will work fine with iPad Pro’s Hover feature, and still has tilt sensitivity and low-latency inputs for seamless responsiveness.
The new Pencil is Apple’s second accessory to have a USB-C port after updating its AirPods Pro with USB-C and support for Lossless Audio.
The new Pencil is already listed on Apple’s website in the Philippines, so expect it to be available at authorized Apple resellers in the country soon.
