

Quick Summary
Apple has announced an upgrade Pencil stylus that adds extra features for pro users.
The Apple Pencil Pro includes a new sensor that detects barrel movements and can therefore be used to change the orientation of a brush stroke, for example.
Apple has announced an all-new Pencil stylus to go along with its new iPad Pro and iPad Air models – one that includes new features for professional users.
For starters, the Apple Pencil Pro debuts Barrel Roll, which uses a sensor inside the barrel (hence the name) to track how you hold the Pencil and can change capabilities when you rotate it in your fingers. This can be used to change the shape of a brush (Smart Shape) while drawing.
As previously rumoured, there is new squeeze functionality too, which also uses the new sensor. This can bring up a menu to choose different options without having to use your other hand. And haptic feedback is built into the accessory to give you a more tangible experience when you use any of the new features.
Finally, FindMy is now available in a Pencil for the first time, so you can track where you've left it using any other Apple device, and it now uses USB-C for charging (to comply with the EU directives introduced last year).
The Apple Pencil Pro costs $129 in the US, £129 in the UK and is available to order today for delivery next week.
It has been announced alongside a new series of iPads – the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air models with M2 chips, plus the new OLED iPad Pro tablets with the all-new M4 chipset and plenty of other bells and whistles besides.
The Pencil Pro works with all of them, and pairs, charges and can be stored on the side of the new iPad Pro models through proprietary magnetic tech.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
For those who don't really need the additional features and want to save a spot of cash, the existing Lightning Apple Pencil will work with the new iPads too.
It's also worth noting that the Apple Pencil Pro will not work on older iPads, so you'll be best off with the current Apple Pencil or Pencil USB-C.
Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promised
Here's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
T3's Best of Watches and Wonders 2025 Awards
Here are the winners from Watches and Wonders 2025 Awards, as chosen by T3's watch experts
By Sam Cross Published
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promised
Here's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple TV gets a free update that makes it more simple to use
Apple has released tvOS 18.4 with a few design tweaks for its TV boxes
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Your iPhone gets some new tricks - here’s what it can do now
The new emojis and priority notifications are probably our favourite
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Older iPhones at risk of being left behind when iOS 19 arrives – is your device one of them?
Apple will reportedly drop three iPhone models when it comes to the iOS 19 update
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Your next MacBook Pro could be a game-changer for three good reasons
Apple will reportedly upgrade next year's MacBook Pro in three major ways
By Rik Henderson Published
-
M5 iPad Pro on schedule for release this year, claims expert
Apple's best tablet is reportedly getting even more power in late 2025
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
New evidence suggests Apple's taking its foldable iPhone seriously
And it might bring something different to the party too
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
EU paves the way for iPhones and Android devices to ditch USB-C entirely
Clarification enables Apple, Samsung and others to switch to wireless charging only
By Rik Henderson Published