There is no doubt that when something works and is useful it remains for many years. And sure enough, the Apple Pencil is here to stay. Presented for the first time in 2015 by the hand of the first iPad Pro, at that time this revolutionary digital tablet incorporated an optional stylus named with that name.
And, since then, it has proven to be a useful tool for taking notes, drawing, and so much more . What’s more, to this day, it is perfectly compatible with all the current line of Apple iPads.
Not surprisingly, the Apple Pencil basically consists of a pencil designed by Apple to work with its iPads, and which has the shape of a traditional pencil , although it is evident that it has an Apple-style design.
Thus, it is possible to use the Apple Pencil as a substitute for the finger for precision tasks, such as drawing or writing, but it also offers us the possibility of using it in order to navigate through the operating system (like any other touch pencil).
In short, it has been designed to function as if it were a traditional pencil ; What’s more, as you surely know, it has a fairly similar design and appearance (with the typical, yes, peculiarities that make the different Apple devices so particular and differentiated).
However, instead of writing on paper, it can be used to write on the iPad screen . What’s more, it even offers us the possibility of placing our hand on the tablet while we write, a functionality that, for quite some time, other pencils were not able to fully replicate with precision.
Basic differences between Apple Pencil 1 and Apple Pencil 2
If you are thinking of buying an Apple Pencil, before finding out which iPads are compatible or not, it is necessary to know some of the main differences that we find between the Apple Pencil 1 (or first generation) and the Apple Pencil 2 (also known as the second generation).
So far there are two versions: the first, officially launched in 2015, and the second, launched and put on sale in 2018. Although originally they both do the same, their designs and loading mechanisms are different.
What’s more, one of the main differences that we find is related to the compatibility of the device , since, as we will see in the next sections, while the Apple Pencil 2 is compatible and works with the iPad Pro 2018 models and more current versions, the Apple Pencil 1 will work with everything else (but not older iPads, though).
What iPads is the Apple Pencil 1 compatible with?
The original Apple Pencil, manufactured since 2015, and featuring a round body design and Lightning connector, is compatible with the following devices:
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
What iPads is the Apple Pencil 2 compatible with?
With a slightly smaller design and inductive charging capability, the second-generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the following devices:
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later)
How to identify which iPad model you have
In case of doubts, before buying an Apple Pencil we recommend that you find out which iPad model you own, to make sure that the pencil is compatible with the iPad you already have (or the one you are going to buy).
The easiest option is to find the model number of the device . To do this, you just have to look at the back of the device . Just below the word ‘iPad’ we will find a smaller letter, including the capital letter ‘A’, followed by a series of numbers. Sure enough, this is the model number.
Now you simply have to look on the official Apple website to which type of iPad this number belongs.
