Here's some frustrating news if you're upgrading: your Apple Pencil 2nd generation won't work with the iPad Pro M4. At all.
Why This Happened
Apple moved the front camera from the side to the top of the iPad (which is great for video calls), but this completely messed up where the Apple Pencil charges and connects. It's not just a software issue—the physical design changed.
Your Options (None Great)
If you want to use a stylus with your new iPad Pro M4, you'll need to buy:
Apple Pencil Pro ($129) - The full-featured replacement with squeeze controls and haptic feedback
USB-C Apple Pencil ($79) - A cheaper option, but you lose pressure sensitivity and wireless charging
The Frustrating Reality
This means upgrading to the iPad Pro M4 costs more than you think. Even if you already have a perfectly good Apple Pencil 2, you're spending another $79-$129 just to keep drawing and taking notes.
Apple didn't provide any trade-in programs or discounts to ease this transition, which feels pretty rough for loyal customers who've invested in the ecosystem.
Silver Lining?
The Apple Pencil Pro genuinely has some cool new features if you spring for it. But it's still annoying to be forced into this purchase when your current pencil works perfectly fine—just not with your shiny new iPad.
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How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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