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Apple Pencil 2 Not Compatible With Older iPads and Original Apple Pencil Won't Work With New Models

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The new second-generation Apple Pencil that Apple introduced today alongside new iPad Pro models includes support for tap gestures and inductive charging when attached to an iPad Pro via magnets, a major upgrade from the previous model that had a built-in Lightning port.

Given all of the changes introduced in the Apple Pencil 2, it only works with the new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models and it is not compatible with older iPad Pros or the sixth-generation iPad.

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Likewise, the current Apple Pencil will not work with the new iPad Pro models and is limited to older iPad Pro models and the sixth-generation iPad.

That means if you're upgrading to the new iPad Pro from an older iPad Pro model and already have an Apple Pencil, you're going to need to buy a new second-generation model if you want an Apple Pencil to use with the upgraded tablets.

The new second-generation Apple Pencil is priced at $129 and can be ordered starting today, with the accessory set to be delivered on November 7.

Apple's new Apple Pencil is $30 more expensive than the existing Apple Pencil, which is priced at just $99.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad Accessories

Top Rated Comments

CalBoy Avatar
99 months ago
The new pencils are cool, but this almost feels like an intentional move to punish people who bought either product before today.

There’s a lot about Apple’s recent decisions that honestly come across as taking customers for granted.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kobayagi Avatar
99 months ago
Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Hmmm, okay... charging won't work. We agree on that. But why won't usage work? Let's say you have and use the previous and this new iPod Pro. Then this means you also need two pencils.

Seems more like a money grab.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
Can you not use a lightning cable to charge Apple Pencil 1.0? If you are on-the-go, are you not carrying a lightning cable? Is inductive charging different from wireless charging that iPhones use?

These are -terrible- reasons to make the pencils not compatible with each other. Naked money grab.

Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
99 months ago
Makes sense. Older iPad owners wouldn't be able to charge the new Pencil 2 as they don't have inductive charging. And new iPads don't have Lightning to charge the older Pencil.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
Missed opportunity by Apple.

Think of the $$ that could be made from the adapters.

Apple Pencil Lightning to USB-C adapter $39

Apple Pencil lightning to inductive charging adapter $69
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bilibug Avatar
99 months ago
I'm really disappointed with today's event. I was planning to buy a new large iPad Pro and pencil, as well as maybe a Mac Mini. Now I don't think I will get any of them, and live with my older models until they die. For one, the price gouging is a major turnoff. But more so, the Apple Pencil incompatibility screams of a company which lacks a clear product development path. The products released the last few years seem rushed. I got burned once before with my iPad 3, which was obsoleted within 6 months. As many have said, the new fragmentation is overwhelming. If the new iPads were going to have USB C, then the new phones should have had them. Other than product development in a silo, there was no valid excuse to hold back on the change of technology. And all the hot wind about the notch on the iPhone X being iconic. If that is the case, why isn't there a notch on the new iPads. If the excuse is the availability of space due to the larger bezel, then why does the iPhone XR have a notch? All signs is of a company that lacks cohesion in their design team, something that violates everything the old Apple under Jobs stood for. I miss the simplicity and uniform design of those products.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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