Apple Pencil Pro: iPad stylus with squeeze gesture, barrel roll and haptics

The Apple Pencil Pro is Apple's top stylus for iPad. The basics carry over from the second-generation Apple Pencil: according to Apple it is pixel-perfect, low-latency and responds to pressure and tilt – a light touch for fine lines, angled for shading. It attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad, where it pairs and charges without a cable.

What's new are several sensors in the barrel. Squeeze the pencil and a palette appears for switching tools, line widths and colours. A gyroscope detects when you rotate the pencil, so in supported apps you can turn calligraphy pens or brush tips just like a real tool. A dedicated Haptic Engine confirms actions with a gentle tap you can feel.

On top of that there is double-tap to switch quickly between pen and eraser, and hover, which shows a shadow of your tool before the tip touches the screen. The Pencil Pro also works with Find My in case it rolls under the sofa. At 166 mm long and just over 19 g it feels much like a regular pen.

Worth knowing: the Pencil Pro only works with certain iPads – according to Apple the 11" and 13" iPad Pro (M4, M5), the 11" and 13" iPad Air (M2, M3, M4) and iPad mini (A17 Pro). Older iPad Pro models, the standard iPad and earlier iPad mini models are not supported. Squeeze, barrel roll and haptics only work in apps that support them. Spare tips are not included.