I personally feel gen 2 is lighter compared to gen 1. Like 50% lighter. The other thing that I like about gen 2 is the magnetic charging :) it’s so convenient compared to the plug in and out gen 1. Last but not least, gen 2 has the double tap features to switch tools. this is not my favourite feature because I rarely use it, and it sometimes got tapped when I don’t want to so… but overall the gen 2 is just very different compared to gen 1. One more thing, it will depend on which gen your iPad that is compatible with the pens. Answer from mychelromance on reddit.com
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Creative Bloq
creativebloq.com › tech › phones & tablets
Every Apple Pencil compared: Apple Pencil 2 vs Apple Pencil 1, Pro and USB-C: which is best for you?
September 12, 2025 - The 2nd-Gen Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro are much more convenient because they charge when stuck onto the flat edge of supported iPads magnetically, keeping your pencil close at hand and preventing it from getting lost.
People also ask

Apple Pencil (1 & 2) vs real pencil: what is the difference?
The Apple Pencil models, both 1 and two, are able to create digital Art that can be transformed and used as a tool online. The uses for this in regards to art is virtually limitless as you’re able to design anything from blueprints, to sketches, to animation, cartoons (think toon boom), and do so very effectively, quickly and easy. 

Another big advantage is that the format of the digital Art the Apple Pencil creates can be used online effectively.

As far as the difference in feel, you may want to experiment with a screen protector to see how it feels. In my experience I noticed it felt and drew on the screen just like a real piece of paper. Screen protectors such as ‘paper-like’ can also help improve this to make it feel even more like a real pencil.
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mediapeanut.com
mediapeanut.com › apple-pencil-2-vs-1-what-is-the-difference-compared
Apple Pencil 1 Vs 2- Key Differences Explained (Compared) 2025
How does the Apple Pencil 1 & 2 compare vs other stylus?
The Apple Pencil 1 and 2 models compared to other stylus does quite well. Other stylus just can't compete for the Apple Pencil on the iPad since they are considered third party stylus by apple and don't have the proper integration from my testing. Many of the cheap options stutter and lag and theres much delay as well as incompatibility amongst iOS apps.

However the adonit models appear to compare and perform the best if you aren't choosing either the apple Pencil 1 or 2 for the iPad. You can always go with a non active stylus instead of the active Apple Pencil stylus. The non-active, capacitive stylus are significantly cheaper, but pose no pressure sensitivity or can mislead consumers.

Other stylus that work very well as a alternate, third party stylus for the iPad:
Adonit Note+, Zagg Pro, Adonit Pixel, and Adonit Pro 4.
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mediapeanut.com
mediapeanut.com › apple-pencil-2-vs-1-what-is-the-difference-compared
Apple Pencil 1 Vs 2- Key Differences Explained (Compared) 2025
Can the Apple pencil 1 or 2 be used on the iPhone?
Neither the Apple Pencil 1 or 2 can be used on the iphone. These two digital pencils can not be used on any device outside their compatible iPad. The iPhone can however be used with a capacitive stylus; which is significantly less costly than the price of the Apple Pencil 1 & 2.
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mediapeanut.com
mediapeanut.com › apple-pencil-2-vs-1-what-is-the-difference-compared
Apple Pencil 1 Vs 2- Key Differences Explained (Compared) 2025
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › articles › input devices › styli
Apple Pencil Gen 1 vs. Gen 2 vs. USB-C vs. Pro: What's the Difference? | PCMag
December 10, 2024 - ... The 2nd Gen pencil is more feature-rich. It adds magnetic attachment, wireless pairing and charging, Hover on the iPad Pro, double-tap to change writing tools, and includes free engraving for personalization (when ordered directly from Apple).
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MacCase
mac-case.com › maccase › maccase company blog › how to tell the difference between 1st and 2nd generation apple pencil?
Tell the Difference Between 1st and 2nd Gen Apple Pencils?
December 18, 2023 - The 2nd generation Apple Pencil ... and wireless charging. ... 1st Generation: The original Apple Pencil lacks the magnetic attachment capability found in the 2nd generation....
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AppleInsider
appleinsider.com › apple a-z › accessories and i/o › apple pencil › vs
Apple Pencil USB-C vs Apple Pencil Gen 1 and Gen 2 -- compared
The new Apple Pencil is even shorter at 6.1 inches, even though it has a sliding cap incorporated into its design. At 0.29 inches, its diameter is also a lot smaller than its predecessors, so it may feel a little thinner for users to grip when writing and drawing. There is also a very minor weight loss in the latest model, with it at 0.72 ounces versus 0.73 ounces for the first and second-gen models.
Published   October 17, 2023
Top answer
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The differences between the 1st and 2nd generation Apple Pencils are: -price -features -ways of charging -design The first gen Apple pencil is very round and rather slippery. It'll just roll off somewhere. Might want to put like a skin or a rubber cover on it so it doesn't slide. It also uses the extremely akward and poorly design lighting connector top that plugs in either in the IPad or using the included adapter from the box. It also has a cap to cover the top. The 1st gen Apple pencil is only compatible with IPads that have the classic design (large black or white bexels with touch ID home button) and lighnting port such as the IPad Generation series or the older 5th gen IPad mini. The cost of the 1st gen pencil is under a $100. The second gen Apple Pencil is the updated pencil that connects via magnets on the righhand side of the current (almost) all screen design IPads.These IPads are IPad Pro 2018- current year, IPad Air 4th gen and the new IPad Mini 6th gen. The pencil charges when connected on the side of the ipad via magnets and has features where you can double tap the squared off side to either erase or go back to previous tool. The pencil has a matte feel and due to having a squared off design on one side, it doesn't roll off (or at least not as easy.) The Apple Pencil 2nd Gen is $129.99. There is a lot more features available, but those are the main highlighted ones.
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Pencil one requires a lightening port to charge. It is round in shape. Pencil two connects magnetically to the USB-C equipped iPad, so it is a big improvement for connectivity. The Pencil two is closer in shape to a wooden pencil, so it can magnetically connect to the compatible iPads.
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Digital Camera World
digitalcameraworld.com › tech › tablets
Apple Pencil 1 vs 2: which generation of pencil is best for you and your iPad? | Digital Camera World
October 21, 2022 - But it's not quite as simple as ... from: the Apple Pencil (First Generation), commonly referred to as the Apple Pencil 1, and the Apple Pencil (Second Generation), usually known as – you guessed it – the Apple Pencil 2....
Find elsewhere
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EveryiPad.com
everymac.com › systems › apple › ipad › ipad-pro-faq › differences-between-apple-pencil-1-apple-pencil-2-ipad-compatibility.html
Differences Between Apple Pencil 1, 2, USB-C, Pencil Pro: EveryiPad.com
(iPad Pro 3rd Gen with Apple Pencil ... the USB-C port for charging. Based on hands-on use, the Apple Pencil 2, or "2nd Gen" as it is referred to in some places, was a massive improvement over the original Apple Pencil:...
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MediaPeanut
mediapeanut.com › apple-pencil-2-vs-1-what-is-the-difference-compared
Apple Pencil 1 Vs 2- Key Differences Explained (Compared) 2025
February 13, 2024 - The Apple Pencil 1 is also different from the Gen 2 Apple Pencil as it does not have magnetic pen caps (the caps get lost easier). It also doesn’t have a flat end that presents the pen from rolling off a desk.
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Macworld
macworld.com › home › accessories
Best Apple Pencil 2025: Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad? | Macworld
3 weeks ago - Apple Pencil (2nd gen) costs $129/£129 and is compatible with older iPad Pro and iPad Air and iPad mini models. Apple Pencil (1st gen) costs $99/£99 and is compatible with the iPad (6th-10th gen and A16 models) It also works with some very ...
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Quora
quora.com › Do-you-like-the-Apple-Pencil-2-more-than-the-Apple-Pencil-1
Do you like the Apple Pencil 2 more than the Apple Pencil 1? - Quora
Answer (1 of 7): Do you like the Apple Pencil 2 more than the Apple Pencil 1? Yes, but I wouldn’t have bought the Pencil 2 if I didn’t need to. I bought the 1st gen 12″ iPad Pro as soon as it was available and same with the new iPad Pro. The only delay I did before hitting “buy” was ...
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
WHY PAY MORE? Apple Pencil 1 vs 2 - YouTube
Is the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil THAT MUCH better than the 1st Generation Apple Pencil? I get so many questions about whether there is enough of a differen...
Published   January 18, 2022
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PenTips
pen.tips › home › blog › blog
Apple Pencil 1 vs Apple Pencil 2: the Differences
March 16, 2022 - “If you’ve not had an iPad and Apple Pencil very long, and the finances are not available to upgrade at this point, you’re not missing out on a huge amount. It [the 2nd gen] is definitely a better Apple Pencil
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Apple
apple.com › ca › newsroom › 2023 › 10 › apple-introduces-new-apple-pencil-bringing-more-value-and-choice-to-the-lineup
Apple introduces new Apple Pencil, bringing more value and choice to the lineup - Apple (CA)
4 days ago - Apple Pencil (2nd generation) further enhances and streamlines professional workflows with support for pressure, the double-tap gesture, and Apple Pencil hover on iPad Pro models with M2.
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Astropad
astropad.com › blog › which-apple-pencil-is-better
Apple Pencil 1 vs. 2: Which is the Best for You?
JavaScript is disabled in your browser · Please enable JavaScript to proceed · A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser
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MyNextTablet
mynexttablet.com › home › apple pencil 1 vs 2 vs usb c guide: which is best for you?
Apple Pencil 1 vs 2 vs USB C Guide: Which Is Best For You?
November 7, 2023 - However, it’s cool that it supports the hover function on the newest iPad Pro, just like the Pencil 2. Let’s move on to the 1st generation Apple Pencil, which costs 99 Dollars. It works with all iPads from the iPad 6 onwards that have a Lightning connector.
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The Indian Express
indianexpress.com › news › technology › tech
How to choose the right Apple Pencil for your iPad: A comparison of the 3 models | Technology News - The Indian Express
October 20, 2023 - All you need to know here is that the Apple Pencil (1st generation) is compatible with the most iPads. Meanwhile, the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is compatible with most Pro and Air models of the newer iPad, although it lacks compatibility ...
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 252936293
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY PENCIL IS FIRST OR S… - Apple Community
The original, 1st gen Pencil does NOT magnetise to any iPad for charging. The 2nd gen Pencil looks more like a regular pencil with a flat side ( for magnetic charging on a 2018-2021 iPad Pro or iPad Aor 4 ) less slippery, NO chrome anything at the top of the Pencil.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255067118
Apple Pencil 2nd gen incompatibility with… - Apple Community
Moving a lens to the side that takes away compatibility with the latest version of their Apple Pencil was just poorly thought out. The Apple Pencil 2nd gen with its magnetic pairing and charging is so much better than the alternative Apple Pencil 1st gen that requires an adapter and plugging ...