Squeeze gestures, barrel roll, and Find My turn Apple’s best stylus into a genuine creative tool.
8.8
KADS SCORE
Quick Take
The Apple Pencil Pro adds the features artists actually asked for: a squeeze gesture with haptic feedback, barrel roll for shaped brushes, and Find My support for the inevitable lost stylus. At $129 it costs the same as the old Pencil 2 while doing considerably more. The catch is compatibility, which is limited to the newest iPads.
What We Like
- Squeeze gesture and barrel roll unlock genuinely new creative controls
- Find My support ends the lost stylus panic
- Pixel perfect precision with pressure, tilt, and hover
- Magnetic attachment with wireless charging
- Same $129 price as the older Pencil 2
What We Don’t Like
- Only works with the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models
- Does not work with the new iPhone Duo, oddly
- Easy to lose despite Find My, and replacements are not cheap
Product Details
Full Review
Quality
The matte white barrel feels identical to the Pencil 2 in hand, which is a compliment: light, balanced, and natural for long drawing sessions. The new squeeze sensor is satisfyingly clicky thanks to haptic feedback, and magnetic charging keeps it topped up without thought. It is a small, precise, beautifully made tool.
Value
At $129 the Pro matches the old Pencil 2 price while adding meaningful features, making it the obvious choice for anyone with a compatible iPad. The $79 USB C Pencil is the budget pick for note taking, but artists should not hesitate on the Pro.
Who Should Buy It
Buy it if you draw, design, or take serious notes on a recent iPad Pro or iPad Air.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it if your iPad is older, since it simply will not pair, and check Apple’s compatibility list first.
FINAL VERDICT
The Pencil Pro is what the Apple Pencil should have been all along: expressive, trackable, and fairly priced. Just make sure your iPad is new enough to use it.
8.8 / 10
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