Apple has launched an affordable Apple Pencil that features USB-C connectivity, providing a budget-friendly option for iPad users. Priced at Rs 7,900, this new accessory boasts a sliding cap design that reveals the USB-C port, making it easier to charge and pair with compatible iPads. Additionally, it can securely attach to the side edge of an iPad, including the 10th-generation model released last year. It is cheaper than Apple's 2nd-gen Pencil which cost Rs 11,900 in India. Here are the details.
Despite its lower price point, the budget Apple Pencil does come with some trade-offs compared to its more advanced counterparts. It lacks features like pressure sensitivity, wireless pairing and charging, and the double-tap functionality for tool switching. However, it still supports hover functionality, particularly with M2 models of the iPad Pro. It even has support for low latency, Tilt sensitity, and Pixel precision as well.
The compatibility of the new Apple Pencil extends to various iPad models equipped with a USB-C port, including the iPad (10th generation), iPad Air (4th and 5th generations), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generations), and iPad mini (6th generation).
This cost-effective Apple Pencil can be purchased separately for Rs 7,900 in India and will be available starting in early November. It offers a sliding cap that unveils the USB-C port, allowing for easy connection using a USB-C cable for pairing and charging. When magnetically attached to the iPad for storage, the new Apple Pencil enters a sleep state to conserve its battery life.
Moreover, Apple has introduced an even more budget-friendly option as part of its education scheme. The new Apple Pencil will be available for Rs 6,900 for students and educators. This educational price is open to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels.
It is worth noting that Apple was also widely rumoured to launch a new set of iPads, but that didn't happen. To recall, in October 2022, the tech giant launched the 10th-generation iPad, followed by iPad Pros powered by the M2 chip in the same month. The iPad Air with an M1 chip was unveiled in March 2022, and the redesigned iPad Mini hit the market in September 2021. Now, with the introduction of the affordable Apple Pencil, Apple aims to provide a wider range of options for its iPad users, catering to both budget-conscious consumers and the education sector.
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