Apple Pencil and stylus are digital pens great for drawing, editing documents, and taking notes. While they have some similarities, there are also some notable differences. The Apple Pencil is mainly designed for use on iPads.
On the other hand, the stylus is more generic and can interact with a touchscreen device. So, which should you choose? Let’s find out in our discussion of Apple Pencil vs stylus.
What Is an Apple Pencil?
An Apple Pencil is a stylus pen designed by Apple for iPad. It has sensitivity and tilt recognition, allowing it to detect different pressure levels and the angle at which it is held. It’s also sleek and has a smooth, responsive tip that resembles the feel of a traditional pencil or pen.
The Apple Pencil helps iPad users handle tasks like note-taking, sketching, illustration, and graphic design.
Learn more about the Apple Pencil from Apple.
What Is a Stylus Pen?
A stylus is a digital pen for touchscreen devices such as tablets, smartphones, or touch-enabled computers. It has a rechargeable built-in battery that can be charged via USB or a charging dock.
A stylus has various designs and offers varying sensitivity levels and features, including palm rejection. Palm rejection prevents unintentional touch inputs from your hands when using the stylus to interact with the screen.
5 Apple Pencil vs Stylus Comparison
These are the five Apple Pencil vs Stylus comparisons:
1. Compatibility
Apple Pencil
The Apple Pencil is exclusively designed for iPad models such as the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and its compatibility is divided across its two generations.
The first generation is compatible with iPad (6th, 7th, and 8th generations), iPad Air 3rd generation, and iPad Mini 5th generation. It also works with iPad Pro 9.7, 10.5, and 12.9-inch – 1st and 2nd generation.
The second generation works with iPad Pro models of 12.9-inch (3rd generation or newer) and 11-inch (1st generation or later) as well as iPad Air of 4th generation or newer. (You can get an iPad on the Apple Store.)
Did you know you can use your Apple Pencil for gaming. Discover the best games for Apple Pencil here!
Stylus
The stylus has a wide range of compatibility and works with any touchscreen device that responds to finger touch. This includes tablets, smartphones, and touch-enabled laptops. (You can get a stylus on Amazon.)
The verdict? The stylus is the winner in terms of compatibility as it is more versatile.
2. Pressure Sensitivity
Apple Pencil
With advanced sensors, the Apple Pencil is more responsive and offers precise control for a more realistic writing or drawing experience. It can also detect varying pressure levels, which results in different line thicknesses and shading effects, enabling a more natural and accurate output.
Learn more about pressure sensitivity from Apple.
Stylus
Although high-end active styluses offer pressure sensitivity, their level of accuracy does not match that of the Apple Pencil. In fact, pressure sensitivity is only common in styluses created for professional work and drawing on tablets.
That said, the Apple Pencil wins in this category.
3. Battery Life
Apple Pencil
The Apple Pencil has a decent battery life and can last up to 12 hours of continuous use on a single charge. It features a quick charge function, where just 15 seconds of charging will give you around 30 minutes of use.
This makes it perfect for long creative sessions or workdays. If you need more information about the Apple Pencil’s battery life, read this blog.
Problems with charging? Read how to fix Apple Pencil not charging.
Stylus
The stylus provides 10 to 20 hours of battery life, depending on usage and battery type. Charging times vary between 1 and 1.5 hours, depending on the model. For added convenience, some styluses use replaceable batteries like AAA or AAAA.
In comparing the Apple Pencil and stylus, the latter wins in terms of battery life as it is more solid.
4. Price
Apple Pencil
The Apple Pencil costs between $99 for the first generation and $129 for the second generation, with prices increasing depending on the features.
Stylus
Styluses come in a wide range of prices, from budget-friendly options to expensive ones. Depending on the features and compatibility, the cost can range from $20 to $100 (like these from Amazon).
The stylus wins this category as it offers more affordable options.
Looking for a stylus that doesn’t break the bank? Find one on this list of the best Apple Pencil alternatives.
5. Pairing
Apple Pencil
Pairing the Apple Pencil with compatible devices is straightforward. For the first-generation pencil, you can plug it into the iPad’s lightning port for pairing. You can pair the second generation magnetically by attaching it to the side of a compatible iPad model.
Read more about pairing an Apple Pencil on Apple Support.
Stylus
Passive styluses do not require pairing. You can start drawing or writing after turning on the device. However, they may lack advanced features and be inaccurate.
Meanwhile, you’ll need some connection for active styluses, such as a wired connection or Bluetooth.
Connecting your device may be frustrating as you must repair it every time you turn it off. You may also experience connectivity issues or frequent disconnections, even with a wired connection.
So, in this category, the Apple Pencil wins due to its stability.
Is an Apple Pencil Better Than a Stylus?
The Apple Pencil is better than a stylus if you own an iPad, as it is designed for such devices. It’s also better if you need advanced features like tilt recognition. The stylus is a better choice if you want a cheaper pen that is compatible with many devices.
All in all, the best option still depends on your preference and budget. Reading reviews about each pen to understand their real-world performance and user satisfaction can also help you decide.
Can You Use Your Apple Pencil as a Stylus
Yes, you can use your Apple Pencil as a stylus. Turn on your iPad’s Bluetooth connection and pair your Apple Pencil. If you have a first-generation Apple Pencil, take off the cap and plug it into the Lightning port on your iPad to pair it.
For the second-generation Apple Pencil, you can attach it magnetically to the side of your iPad Pro. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing process.
Common Strengths of Apple Pencil and Stylus
These are the benefits of an Apple Pencil and a stylus:
- Comfortability.
Holding a stylus or Apple Pencil offers a more comfortable and natural way to use touchscreen devices for extended periods. - Protects the Screen.
Using an Apple Pencil or stylus reduces direct contact with the screen, minimizes scratches, and protects the screen from damage. - Portability.
The stylus and Apple Pencil are both lightweight, making them easy to carry and use. - Cost-effective.
Compared to traditional art supplies, the Apple-stylus pens save cost. They eliminate the need for paperwork and ink, allowing artists to work on various projects without needing physical storage. - Precision.
Another benefit of an Apple Pencil and stylus is precision and accuracy when drawing, sketching, or writing on a digital screen. They allow more control than using a mouse or fingers, making it ideal for designers and artists.
Common Weaknesses of Apple Pencil and Stylus
Here are the weaknesses of the Apple Pencil and stylus:
- Inconsistent Performance.
The performance of the stylus and Apple pens for iPads varies based on screen responsiveness, latency, or tracking accuracy, which affects user experience. Still, it’s worth noting that the Apple Pencil is more accurate. - Limited Battery Life.
Stylus and Apple Pencil batteries may not last long with continuous use and need periodic charging. Battery life varies from a few hours to days, depending on usage. - Cost.
If you’re on a tight budget, high-end stylus pens and Apple Pencils may be too expensive. - Durability.
The Apple Pencil and stylus are susceptible to breakage if mishandled or dropped, decreasing lifespan.
