The ONLY Apple Pencil Pro Alternative that Actually Makes sense! (And it’s a lot CHEAPER)

[@andrea_fay]

The reason for the shape of the Logitech crayon is to emulate architect writing utensils, not sure if anyone said anything and didn’t want to scroll through the comments. Thanks for your review on the Apple Pencil alternatives, as someone who would just be using a stylus for notes this is helpful.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

I’m glad it was helpful! And thanks for letting me know about the shape, although I’m still not really sure it’s the best shape for an iPad stylus

[@FrozenVayneGames]

If you are an artist of some kind, it's sort of a completely different story haha. The lack of pressure sensitivity is the main deal breaker for all of these alternatives unfortunately. Wish there was an apple pencil alternative with that feature, that would be a pretty big savings for budget artists who want to just buy a new Air and don't need the barrel roll for their artwork needs as an example.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah that totally makes sense. As I don’t really have much experience with digital art, I wasn’t too sure how much that is a dealbreaker or not, but thank you so much for your input! That’s very helpful! I agree, it would be nice to see that feature in a budget option. I wonder if it’s software locked by Apple to be only their higher end Pencil. I just haven’t seen anything else with that feature

[@ladyethyme]

Agreed

[@kerrynewnham8946]

ESR have an alternative stylus that has a capacitive nib instead of that shortcut button. It doesn’t require pairing.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Interesting. I’ll look into it, that sounds better to me

[@ynte8114]

Great Video, thank you. I just purchased an Ipad Air 11, M2 for my daughter. Im looking for Pencil for her, that also charges when magnetically placed on the top of the Ipad, can you recommend anything for me?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

The best one for charging from the iPad is gonna be the official Apple Pencil Pro, as far as I know, I haven’t been able to get any 3rd party pencils to do that

[@ynte8114]

@ thank you for the reply, I appreciate it.

[@rp2010]

Thanks for the videi. Just picked up an M4 iPad Pro and had no idea I couldn't use my old Apple Pencil. Certainly don't want to spend an arm and a leg for a new one, so I'm thankful for your suggestions

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Of course! I’m glad I could help!

[@LeoNatan]

So you just spent 1000$+ on the iPad itself, but the extra 100$ is "an arm and a leg"? 🙄

[@jenakre2890]

What about a kid friendly pencil for the mini 17pro? Just ordered the ipad for my kiddos 5th birthday. I have seen some for the older models that are fatter and shorter. Wondering if i can find one for this one?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Well that cheaper Amazon stylus that I mentioned in the video would probably work pretty well as it’s not very expensive and it seems pretty durable. It also will work with the new iPad Mini. But if you’re looking for something specifically for kids, I don’t know what that would be off the top of my head, but I can certainly look into it for you.

[@markrome9702]

The crayon was originally meant for kids, hence the shape and tip cover which can't be easily removed. I like the RENAISSER Turing 530 Pen which has a special tip that is springy. Take away the tapping sound on the screen.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

That’s interesting, I’ll have to check that out!

[@IamClk222]

I love the Logitech Crayon. I upgraded to the M4 iPad from the iPad Air 4. The Logitech crayon is what I used for my Air and I’m so happy I didn’t have to buy another pencil like everyone who decided to switch to the new iPads. The Logitech Crayon works great on my iPad Pro M4!

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yes that’s definitely a benefit of going with that! Just curious, what do you do to keep your Crayon with your iPad? Since it doesn’t magnetically attach?

[@IamClk222]

@@Graf-XTechReviews I use a pencil holder and I attached it to my folio. Doesn’t add any bulk and I can still lay my iPad down flat if needed.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

That makes sense! Thanks for sharing!

[@raftaarr.r3498]

Hii I would like to know is their excessive heating and battery drain issue while using it for note taking or drawing on the new M4 Pro?

[@francisgalvez8136]

will crayon work for my ipad air 6?

[@abesview5855]

I actually tried using a third party stylus on m4 iPad and none of them work well at the moment. This is due to APPLE changing the technology for Palm Rejection in the newer M4 IPads. Due to this the only viable Pencil is Apple Pencil Pro until all 3rd party companies start redesigning the pens for magnetic charging and palm rejection that works. If you own any other iPad non m4 version! Then totally get these stylus pens they all work perfectly.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah I agree that very few styluses are actually optimized for the M4 iPad Pro. I’ve had the issues with the magnetic charging and even just the magnets holding them well, but I haven’t had any issues with the palm rejection not working. All of mine seem to be doing well in that department, but I’ll definitely update ever if that changes

[@Huma9ty]

@@Graf-XTechReviews can u recommend 1 alternative for ipad pro m4 , for note taking with 100% efficient pal rejection…

[@bluedeskfan2754]

Have found if you don't need pressure sensitivity then even the most cheapo stylus works great.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah that is pretty much the conclusion I came to as well!

[@priscilapadilla357]

So the Apple Pencil tips can be used with the ESR pen? Bc the main issue for me is not finding replacement tips. I use the paper like screen

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah they seem to work. I don’t have mine anymore but from when I used it, it worked well

[@BooksNBeaches]

Thanks for review! Don't see chargers in the boxes - just cables. I think of a charger as the item that you plug into the wall/socket to charge it.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yes, that’s probably a better way of saying it, I typically call the wall plug the “charging brick” and the cables the “charging cables” but sometimes I just refer to the cables as chargers and the other as the bricks 🤷‍♂️😂 but yeah cables would’ve been a better word.

[@Informaticoruna]

I guess the question is.. do any of those alternatives work with the IPad Mini 7?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yes, the iPad Mini 7 is compatible with everything that the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are compatible with

[@shreya65854]

Hey which one is best for notes taking ?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

I show that off a little in the video, but basically they all do it just as well, so I’d personally do the cheap Amazon one as I think it has the best value

[@reza.km1992]

Thanks for the info bro, are all of these pen compatible with ipad air m2?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah they will work the same the iPad Air M2 as with the iPad Pro M4 because both of them support the same kind of Pencils

[@mtmitch]

They will function, but they will NOT charge magnetically on the new 2024 iPads (Air M2’s or Pro M4’s). Apple modified the magnetic charging functions so only their Pencil Pro will work on the new iPads for now… until the knockoffs manage to hack that new tech.

[@raftaarr.r3498]

I need a quick reply from you is their major heating or battery drain issue while using the Pencil?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Not really, but Apple Notes specifically with the Pencil has caused battery drain and a lot of heat with the Pencil, but other apps don’t seem to

[@raftaarr.r3498]

@@Graf-XTechReviews Oh thanks for the reply. How much much battery backup are you getting on your use case

[@charlesleonard9459]

Great video, I have used Apple Pencil alternatives for years and have been impressed with them. However you used a term that I am not familiar with. That is “auto refine handwriting “, Would you elaborate on this feature? Keep up the good work.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yes this is only in the new Betas of iPadOS 18. I do apologize, I should’ve made sure that was clear! It just basically tries to straighten and adjust your writing as you go

[@pchris6662]

FYI, you can get silicone usb c plugs for a buck or two to alleviate your worries about that open port

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Ok, awesome! Thanks for sharing that! That is good to know!

[@pchris6662]

@@Graf-XTechReviews Oh, and I forgot to say, thx for the vid. Thumbs up. It was helpful to me as I’m trying to find a pencil alternative 👍

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Awesome! I’m glad it was able to help! That’s definitely the goal!

[@dmbsituation]

Do any have pressure sensitivity feature for drawing?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

No I don’t believe so, I think Apple keeps that pretty exclusive to their Apple Pencil

[@qazifaisal5]

i have these plus more i prefer the adonis note + its the one i use all the time i like the switch easy 4 pro also.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

That’s interesting! I’ll check those out!

[@tapankumar3812]

Ihave ipad air M2 bro suggest me the alternative one with magnetic charge

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

I’m actually a little confused by the question, what are you looking for?

[@leiner6X]

I think the best alternative if youre not an artist and dont need the pencil pro is the Apple Pencil usb-c.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

My only question is do you use the hover feature much? Otherwise I don’t see anything better about that one VS the much cheaper $15 stylus

[@leiner6X]

@@Graf-XTechReviewsthe hover is actually useful to continue writing where you left it. Also, Ive seen some reviews of people showing how 3rd party stylus dont work well when using other note taking apps (like even jittering and skipping chunks of the drawn line) + the AP usb-c been sleeker and hidding the port makes me like it more. It was on sale on Prime Day btw

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah that’s cool that it was on sale. And if the hover is worth that extra amount then definitely it’s worth it. As far as performance and on 3rd Party apps specifically, as I mentioned and showed in the video, all the ones I tried worked very well

[@Wave3625-]

thanks for this benefit vedio it was helpful for me ❤

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Glad it could help!

[@ooitengaik8144]

Thanks for the detailed info.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Of course, that’s always my goal!

[@cozinhadocidao]

Works on Ipad Air 6th?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah basically everything in this video would apply to all iPad’s compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, and the older iPads work even better with the magnetic connections from these styluses.

[@kisho2679]

What makes the price difference?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Between which ones?

[@kisho2679]

@@Graf-XTechReviews for both compared to the Apple one

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Basically they don’t have magnetic charging or any of the new features that came with the Apple Pencil Pro. If you want more details I talk all about that in the video

[@mervhoward5821]

Great review, many thanks.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Glad it helped!

[@GrafXMotion]

Wow. I’m shocked at how good the cheap one is! I really enjoyed the review!

[@0xCUBE]

bro responded to his own channel 💀

[@GrafXMotion]

@@0xCUBE I can see why you might think that. But this is my business partners channel. I run the Graf-X Motion stop motion channel. I happened to see his video right when it posted and put down a genuine comment. Nothing nefarious here. 😉👍

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah I was impressed by the performance of the cheapest one as well!

[@_Digitalguy]

This video started from a wrong assumption, which you probably realized during the video. The crayon technology is no different from the other pencil alternatives, they all use the exact same Apple technology that has leaked to Chinese manufacturers. Even Apple USB C pencil uses the same tech, so that's why they all have the same palm rejection, precision, latency etc. The only differences are in other features like charging, turning on etc. (and hover). And I do agree with your conclusion, while the pencil pro is the best, the only worthwhile alternative is the cheapest one

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah exactly, it was interesting for even my self to go through that and learn about it! Thanks for sharing!

[@OnexFive]

Works on ipad air m2? have u tried it by yourself?

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Based on the fact that the iPad Air M2 has the same Apple Pencil compatibility as the M4 Pro’s, it will work. I don’t have an M2 Air but I’m confident it will work

[@OnexFive]

@@Graf-XTechReviews Ohk buddy thnks for the comment

[@chaddc1717]

ESR updated the pencil in August I think.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Ok thanks that’s great to know!

[@Huma9ty]

what , please share the entire name

[@alexapollice3889]

Dont get the amazon dupe. I used it once and it never charged. Absolutely worst purchase of my life

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Which one in particular? I still have one and it works no problem!

[@manitsamoyed9967]

Nothing can replace the apple pencil pro, just ask someone for their student id and get it for free

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

I’m not sure you can get it completely for free, but if you can then yeah! Go for it!

[@manitsamoyed9967]

@@Graf-XTechReviews you get a free apple pencil with back to school offer. Atleast in my country

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Wow, I’ll check to confirm that it is true for us here as well, but yeah that’s a great deal! The Apple Pencil Pro is definitely the best option as long as you can afford it, and if it’s free then there’s definitely nothing better!

[@stevecontos3317]

You have to buy an ipad to get that…otherwise its $10 off with student id.

[@manitsamoyed9967]

@@stevecontos3317 yes, my bad for not mentioning that.

[@LeoNatan]

"I almost don't see a single reason" Pressure sensitivity. None of these have it. Super important to artists. There, a single reason. Also, your tests aren't very smart. All the pencils have the same sensitivity and gestures because it's actually the display that is sensing and digitizing the pencil's tip. So your tests amount to comparing how smooth different fingers scroll a page. "It's hard to tell for sure, but every finger I use makes the iPad respond. I can't really notice anything different" 🤣 I know you have to fill them minutes for the sweet ad revenue, but come on.

[@Graf-XTechReviews]

Yeah so this isn’t really for artists that much. I make it very clear that the Apple Pencil Pro is the superior stylus to the iPad than any of these. And I do talk about the downsides and what is missing. But for those who use their iPads mostly for note taking and are wanting to save money, than these could be really great choices. And I don’t make my videos artificially longer for ad revenue, but I’m sorry if it felt too drawn out. And actually there can be a difference with how styluses interact with the iPad and I know that some third party accessories can have lower response times so that’s why I tested it the way I did. Sorry you didn’t find them very helpful, but they did have a purpose. If you would like to see me do different tests, I am open to any suggestions that you may have. Thanks for the feedback, hope this clarifies some things!