Apple Pencil makes a great gift for an iPad user, and with Black Friday ushering in the holiday shopping season, there are deals on two versions of Apple’s stylus.
Apple Pencil Pro is 23% off, bringing the cost below $100. And you can save $10 on Apple Pencil USB-C. lternatively, buy a new, open-box Apple Pencil (USB-C) from Cult of Mac Deals for just $49.99 — 36% off.
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Apple Pencil Pro: For the artists
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple Pencil Pro is undoubtedly the premium iPad stylus. It offers everything artists need, including pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, palm rejection, built-in button and more. Charging happens on the edge of the latest M4 iPad Pro, M2 iPad Air and iPad mini 7 models.
I use one and love its new squeeze gesture. A quick squeeze opens a tool palette that lets me quickly switch settings for colors, brush shapes, line weights and more. And being able to use my iPad to easily track down the stylus if it gets misplaced is wonderful. Don’t miss my review of Apple Pencil Pro.
Apple Pencil (USB-C): Better for non-artists
Apple Pencil (USB-C) doesn’t have all the features of the Pro model but it costs about half as much. And it does what non-artists need. I use this stylus for taking notes and sketching, signing documents and doing light edits to images. It’s perfect for the handwriting mode in the new iPad Calculator app.
And this version is compatible with a broader range of models, not only the ones that came out in 2024. In addition to the tablets the Pencil Pro supports, the USB-C variant supports versions of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro going back to the third generation model, every version of the 11-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air going back to the fourth generation, the iPad 10, and iPad mini going back to the sixth generation.
The only downside is that you’ll need to occasionally plug it in to charge. It has a built in USB-C port for that — hence the name. Read my hands-on review of the stylus for more details.
Apple Pencil Black Friday: Save 23% or more
Apple Pencil Pro ordinarily sets you back $129, but it’s Amazon to the rescue. You can save an $29 on the top-of-the-line Apple stylus.
Buy Apple Pencil Pro from: Best Buy
Five Stars!
Apple Pencil Pro
5.0
Apple Pencil Pro is an advanced stylus for 2024’s new Apple tablets: the M4 iPad Pro, the M2 iPad Air and iPad mini 7.
We gave it the maximum rating in our hands-on review, and found that its advanced features are worthy of the price.
- Advanced features like the new squeeze gesture, haptic feedback and support for hover.
- Excellent for note-taking, image editing and artistic endeavors.
- Finally works with Apple’s Find My network.
- Only works with latest iPads.
- High-end stylus comes with high-end price tag.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The regular cost for Apple Pencil (USB-C) is $79. That’s a fine price for a top-quality stylus, but there’s no need to pay all that. Not when an Amazon/Best Buy Black Friday deal knocks $10 off.
Buy Apple Pencil (USB-C) from: Amazon or Best Buy
Our Pick
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
4.5
This is the Apple Pencil for the rest of us! In some ways, Apple’s new budget Pencil is better than the more expensive premium version, which is aimed at serious digital artists. If you need a capable stylus for handwriting and sketching, this is the one for you.
- Pairs and charges via USB-C
- Attaches magnetically
- Pixel-perfect precision with low latency
- Works with most newer iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
- Can’t get power directly from iPad
And don’t forget our special price on an open-box unit. Save $29!
Buy Apple Pencil (USB-C) from: Cult of Mac Deals
When buying an Apple stylus, look closely at the version. Apple Pencil 2 is not the same as the new Pencil Pro, and doesn’t work with iPads released in 2024. The opposite is also true — Apple’s latest Pro stylus doesn’t work with iPads from 2022 and earlier.
