We crack open the box of Apple’s most popular stylus — the Apple Pencil 2 — and break down every single thing you need to know before spending your hard-earned pesos on it.
Apple’s packaging for the Pencil 2 is exactly what you’d expect — minimalist, pristine, and honestly a little anticlimactic. You slide open a slim white box and there it is: one Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, resting in a snug foam cutout. That’s it. No replacement tips. No case. No USB-C adapter.
In the box
- 1 Unit
- → Apple Pencil 2
- Documentations
- → Quick Start guide
No extra tips in the box is a bit of a disappointment — the first-generation Pencil at least included a spare. But hey, this is Apple we’re talking about. If you ever need a replacement tip, you can pick up an Apple Pencil Tips 4-pack separately.
First impressions? The moment you pick it up, there’s a quiet premium to it. It’s light, slim, and the matte white finish has a smooth-but-not-slippery feel. Snap it to the magnetic side of your iPad Air or iPad Pro, and it starts charging and pairing automatically. That little “click” is genuinely satisfying. No dongles. No cables. No fumbling.
- NOTICE
- The official retail price from Apple Philippines and authorized resellers like iStore PH and Power Mac Center is ₱7,490. You may find sealed units on Lazada or Shopee for slightly less, but always buy from authorized channels to ensure warranty coverage.
Design & Build Quality — Deceptively Simple
The Apple Pencil 2 doesn’t scream for attention, and that’s actually a design win. At 6.53 inches long and just 8.9mm in diameter, it feels like holding a premium mechanical pencil. The matte plastic body is a noticeable upgrade from the glossy first-generation model — it’s easier to grip and doesn’t show fingerprints as much.
One of the smartest physical changes Apple made was flattening one side of the barrel. That flat edge does three important things: it stops the Pencil from rolling off your desk, it gives you a tactile reference point for orientation, and it’s the same edge that enables the Double Tap gesture. Clever design that earns its keep.
There’s no removable cap on this one (unlike the original, which had a lightning adapter cap you could easily misplace). The Pencil 2 is one solid, seamless unit. Clean, purposeful, minimalist. Very Apple.
Specifics
- Lenght:
- → 6.53 in (166 mm)
- → Feels like a real pencil — comfortable for long drawing or writing sessions without hand fatigue.
- Diameter:
- → 0.35 in (8.9 mm)
- → Standard pencil-width grip — fits naturally between your fingers the way a real pencil does.
- Weight:
- → 0.64 oz (18.2 g)
- → Ultra-light so your hand never gets tired, even during marathon note-taking sessions.
- Connectivity:
- → Bluetooth (magnetic pairing)
- → Snap it to your iPad and it pairs instantly — no Bluetooth menu, no manual setup, ever.
- Hover Support:
- → iPad Pro M2/M4, iPad Air M2/M3, iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- → Preview where your stroke will land before you touch the screen — like a real pen hovering over paper. Reduces mistakes.
- Battery Life:
- → Up to 12 hours
- → More than enough for a full workday, school day, or art session without hunting for a charger.
- Charging:
- → Wireless (magnetic, side of iPad)
- → Always fully charged when you need it. Park it on the side of your iPad when not in use and it tops itself up automatically.
- Pressure Sensitivity:
- → Yes (4,096 levels)
- → Press harder = thicker/darker strokes. Essential for natural-feeling sketching, calligraphy, and shading.
- Tilt Sensitivity:
- → Yes
- → Tilt the Pencil like a real pencil for shading effects — apps like Procreate take full advantage of this.
- Double Tap Gesture:
- → Yes (flat edge)
- → Double-tap to instantly switch tools (e.g., pen → eraser) without lifting your hand from the canvas. A game-changer for artists.
- Latency:
- → Industry-leading low latency (9ms)
- → No perceptible lag between pen and screen — writing and drawing feels completely real and natural.
- Palm Rejection:
- → Yes
- → Rest your palm on the screen naturally — the iPad ignores your hand and only responds to the Pencil.
- Pixel Precision:
- → Pixel-perfect
- → Every stroke lands exactly where you intend — perfect for detailed illustration, tight handwriting, or annotating PDFs.
- Free Engraving:
- → Yes (via Apple Store only)
- → Add your name or initials for free when you buy directly from Apple — great for students or to prevent mix-ups in a shared space.
- Color:
- → White (one option)
- → Timeless and matches any iPad color. Not flashy, but won't clash with anything either.
Performance — Where It Actually Shines
Here’s where the Apple Pencil 2 earns every peso. The combination of pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and near-zero latency makes using it feel genuinely different from any other stylus. If you’ve ever struggled with a cheap stylus that feels like dragging a blunt crayon across glass — this is the opposite of that experience.
When using it with Procreate, the pressure sensitivity picks up the subtlest variation in how hard you’re pressing. Sketching with it feels like using a real pencil. Inking feels like using a dip pen. The palm rejection is so good you genuinely forget your hand is on the screen.
For students and professionals using GoodNotes 5 or Notability, the handwriting experience is natural and fluid. Using the Scribble feature in iPadOS, you can write in any text field and the system converts it to typed text on the fly — genuinely useful.
The Double Tap feature, once you get used to it, becomes something you miss when using any other stylus. A quick tap on the flat edge switches between your two most recent tools — no menu diving, no screen tapping.
- TIP
- You can customize what Double Tap does in Settings → Apple Pencil on your iPad. Options include switching between current tool and eraser, switching between current tool and last used tool, showing the color palette, or turning off the gesture entirely.
Charging & Battery Life
Charging the Apple Pencil 2 is one of those “why didn’t every stylus do this?” moments. You literally just snap it to the magnetic strip on the right edge of your compatible iPad, and it starts charging. No cables. No docking station. No fumbling. It just sticks there magnetically and tops up while you’re not using it.
Battery life clocks in at up to 12 hours of continuous use, which in practice means you will almost never run it flat in a single session. And if you do somehow need a quick boost, a 15-second charge gives you roughly 30 minutes of use.
The one caveat? Charging only works when the Pencil is snapped to the iPad and the iPad is not sleeping. So if you’re the type to put your iPad in a case that blocks the magnetic strip, you’ll need to factor that in.
Compatibility — Know Before You Buy
This is arguably the most important section for Filipino buyers. The Apple Pencil 2 does not work with every iPad. Here’s what it supports:
→ iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd–6th generation)
→ iPad Pro 11-inch (1st–4th generation)
→ iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
→ iPad mini (6th generation)
- IMPORTANT
- For M4 iPad Pro and newer iPad Air owners: The 2024 M4 iPad Pro and 2024 M2 iPad Air are not compatible with the Apple Pencil 2. Those iPads require the newer Apple Pencil Pro (₱8,490 / $129) instead. Always check your iPad model before purchasing.
Pros
- Effortless magnetic snap-to-charge and pair.
- Incredibly low latency — near-zero lag.
- Pressure and tilt sensitivity feel truly natural.
- Double Tap gesture is a genuine workflow booster.
- Hover support on select iPad Pros and Airs.
- 12-hour battery life.
- No removable cap to lose.
- Free engraving option from Apple.
- One solid, premium build quality.
- Palm rejection works flawlessly.
Cons
- No replacement tips included in the box.
- Pricey for a stylus at ₱7,490.
- Only one color option (white).
- Not compatible with the latest M4 iPad Pros or M2 iPad Airs.
- No Find My / location tracking.
- No squeeze or haptic feedback (Pencil Pro exclusive).
- Charging only works when attached to iPad.
- No case or sleeve included.
Apple Pencil Generations Compared — All 4 Models
Not sure which Pencil is right for you? Here’s every Apple Pencil ever made, side by side.
| Feature | Pencil 1st Gen (2015) | Pencil 2nd Gen (2018) ★ | Pencil USB-C (2023) | Pencil Pro (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (PH) | ~₱6,500 | ₱7,490 | ~₱4,490 | ~₱8,490 |
| Price (USD) | $99 | $129 | $79 | $129 |
| Charging | Lightning (awkward) | Wireless magnetic | USB-C port | Wireless magnetic |
| Pairing | Lightning plug-in | Magnetic snap | USB-C plug-in | Magnetic snap |
| Pressure Sensitivity | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Tilt Sensitivity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Double Tap | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Squeeze Gesture | No | No | No | Yes |
| Barrel Roll / Gyroscope | No | No | No | Yes |
| Haptic Feedback | No | No | No | Yes |
| Hover Support | No | Select models | Select models | Yes (all compatible) |
| Find My | No | No | No | Yes |
| Free Engraving | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Design | Round, glossy | Flat edge, matte | Round, matte, slim | Flat edge, matte |
| Best For | Older iPad models | iPad Air 4/5, iPad Pro (pre-M4) | Budget users, entry iPad | M4 iPad Pro, M2/M3 Air users |
Things Nobody Tells You — Extra Tips & Info
1. It Charges on the Wrong Side in a Case
If you use a third-party folio case for your iPad, double-check that the magnetic charging strip is accessible. Some budget cases cover it, meaning the Pencil can attach but won’t charge. Apple’s own Magic Keyboard Folio and Smart Folio leave the strip open — but always verify before buying a third-party case.
2. The Tip is Replaceable
Over time (especially on a matte/paper-like screen protector), the plastic tip wears down. You can buy an Apple Pencil Tips 4-Pack for around $19 USD. The tip unscrews like a normal pen cap — easy to swap in 10 seconds.
3. Paper-Like Screen Protectors Level It Up
If you draw or write a lot, consider pairing the Apple Pencil 2 with a paper-like screen protector like the Paperlike or similar. These add texture to the glass surface, making writing feel dramatically more like real paper. Note: they do accelerate tip wear slightly.
4. App Support Is Excellent
The best apps to maximize your Apple Pencil 2 experience include Procreate (₱649 one-time — best art app on iPad), GoodNotes 6 (free with in-app options), Notability, Adobe Fresco (free tier available), and even Microsoft OneNote for work/school note taking.
5. It Works Even When iPad is Asleep — Sort Of
With Scribble and Quick Note enabled in iPadOS, you can tap the Apple Pencil 2 to the bottom corner of a sleeping iPad screen to instantly open a note, even from lock screen. Handy for jotting things down quickly.
6. Slight Lag in Third-Party Apps
The 9ms latency is on Apple’s own apps and apps optimized for the Pencil. Some third-party or older apps may feel slightly less responsive. If sketching feels “off” in an app, it’s usually the app, not the Pencil.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The 2024 M4 iPad Pro (and 2024 M2/M3 iPad Air) are incompatible with the Apple Pencil 2. You’ll need the Apple Pencil Pro instead.
The Pro adds squeeze gestures, barrel roll (gyroscope), haptic feedback, and Find My tracking — while both are priced at $129. The Pro works with newer iPads; the Pencil 2 works with older compatible iPads.
No. Apple doesn’t list any water resistance rating for the Pencil 2. Keep it away from rain, liquids, and don’t use it with wet hands.
You can, but you’ll lose pressure sensitivity, Double Tap, tilt sensing, and the near-zero latency. For serious art or note-taking, the Apple Pencil 2 is genuinely worth the premium. For casual browsing taps, a cheap stylus works fine.
Always buy from authorized resellers for warranty coverage: iStore PH, Power Mac Center, Beyond the Box, or directly from Apple PH. Lazada and Shopee are fine if the seller is an authorized reseller.
With regular use on a standard glass screen, tips typically last 1–2 years. If you use a paper-like screen protector, expect tip wear in 3–6 months. Replacement tips are cheap and easy to swap.
Verdict
The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation remains one of the best styluses ever made — and that’s not an exaggeration. The combination of pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, near-zero latency, and the effortlessly clever magnetic charging system makes it feel less like a stylus and more like an extension of your hand.
At ₱7,490, it’s not cheap — but for students, digital artists, designers, architects, doctors, lawyers, teachers, or anyone who works with their iPad seriously, it pays for itself in productivity and creative joy within days. If your iPad is compatible, this is the stylus to get.
The only real reason to pause is compatibility — check your iPad model first. And if you’re on a newer M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air, step up to the Apple Pencil Pro.
So, Should You Get One?
If your iPad is compatible and you do anything more creative or productive than watching Netflix on it — yes, absolutely. The Apple Pencil 2 transforms a great tablet into an incredibly capable creative and productivity tool. It’s the kind of accessory that, once you use it, you can’t imagine going without.
Whether you’re a student saving money by going paperless, a freelance illustrator sketching concepts, a doctor annotating patient charts, or just someone who likes journaling in digital ink — the Apple Pencil 2 will meet you where you are and make you better at it.
Head over to iStore PH, Power Mac Center, or Apple.com/ph to grab yours. And if you’re curious about the rest of the lineup, check out Apple’s full Apple Pencil comparison page to make sure you’re getting the right one for your iPad.
Got questions about which Apple Pencil works with your specific iPad? Drop it in the comments — we’re happy to help you figure it out.
- PRICE:
- → ₱7,490 / $129± (as of April 2026)
- REVIEWS:
- → Check User Reviews
- FOR MORE INFO, VISIT:
- → Apple Pencil 2 (2nd Generation)
