You’ve seen people walking around with an Apple iPad Pro with a stylus, sparking your interest in getting one yourself. After some searching, you might be wondering, “Does the iPad Pro come with a stylus?”
The answer is no, the iPad Pro does not come with a stylus included. Apple’s official stylus, called the Apple Pencil, is always sold separately.
Apple currently offers three distinct Apple Pencil models that are compatible with various iPad Pro models, each with different features and price points:
- Apple Pencil (2nd generation): This model offers pixel-perfect precision, low latency, tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, and the convenient double-tap gesture. It magnetically attaches to the side of compatible iPads for pairing and wireless charging.
- Compatible with:
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generations)
- (Also compatible with iPad Air 4th & 5th Gen, iPad mini 6th Gen)
- Apple Pencil Pro (released in May 2024): This is Apple’s most advanced stylus, building on the 2nd Gen’s features with new capabilities like the Squeeze gesture (for quick tool access), Barrel Roll (for precise brush control), and haptic feedback (tactile confirmation for actions). It also supports Find My for easy location. It magnetically attaches for pairing and wireless charging.
- Compatible with:
- M4 iPad Pro models (11-inch and 13-inch, 2024)
- M2 iPad Air models (11-inch and 13-inch, 2024)
- Apple Pencil (USB-C): Introduced in late 2023, this is the most affordable Apple Pencil option. It offers pixel-perfect precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, and magnetically attaches for storage. However, it lacks pressure sensitivity, wireless charging (it charges via a hidden USB-C port), and the double-tap/squeeze gestures of the more premium models. While I haven’t had the chance to personally test this model yet, it’s an important option to consider due to its compatibility and feature set.
- Compatible with: All iPad models with a USB-C port, including:
- All iPad Pro models with a USB-C port (1st Gen 11-inch Pro to M4 13-inch Pro)
- All iPad Air models with a USB-C port
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
When you’re considering an iPad Pro and plan to use a stylus, you’ll need to purchase the Apple Pencil separately. Ensure you check the specific compatibility of the Apple Pencil model with your particular iPad Pro generation, as not all Pencils work with all iPads.
