Apple pencil Android tablet. 9 Best Stylus for Android Tablets & Phones (Drawing) | 2023

Apple Pencil vs S Pen: Which is Better? [2023]

Ask any tech enthusiast for a recommendation for a good stylus pen, and the two main answers you receive will be the Apple Pencil and the Samsung S-Pen.

They are well deserving of such recommendations too, due to their sheer dominance in their respective markets.

I own both Apple Pencil and S-Pen, and I am constantly flooded with questions regarding which is the best overall stylus pen.

Well, I seek to put an end to that and compare both the Samsung S-Pen and Apple Pencil and see who comes out on top: Experience or Tech prowess.

S-pen has a slight edge over the Apple Pencil due to its extra features and compatibility. Judging purely on capabilities, the Apple Pencil has great software support and reliable hardware.

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Apple Pencil vs Samsung S-Pen: Design and Aesthetics

Aesthetics is a key area to consider when you are in the market for a stylus pen. The in-hand feel, weight, and material of the product make a significant impact on its utility.

Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil has a cylindrical pump design with a matte white finish all around that gives it a rather majestic feel and look.

Although the 1st generation Apple Pencil had a fully rounded design, the 2nd Gen fixed that issue with a flat side that provides better grip and doesn’t roll off the table.

The first generation also had a cap on the other end that housed the poorly implemented charging port.

The 2nd generation replaced that design with magnetic charging on its flat side, thus making it much sleeker and easier to charge.

The tip is also a blunt tip that prioritizes touch sensitivity and is perfect for sketching.

Samsung S-Pen

Although Samsung has multiple models in its S-Pen range, most of the aesthetics try to be consistent.

It features a rather glossy body slightly smaller than the Apple Pencil, splashed with a rainbow of colours with respect to its parent phone/tablet body.

Their S-Pen for their Note series (and more recently their foldable lineup) also has a spring-loaded cap bottom that locks itself securely inside its dedicated phone slot.

The tip is more pointy compared to Apple Pencils and hence, is more accurate by hardware.

Verdict

Design is always a personal preference, and if you ask me I slightly prefer the Samsung S-Pen over the Apple Pencil in this area.

Samsung S-Pen is a bit handier and feels much like a pen or pencil, while the Apple Pencil can be a bit too thin for me at times.

Just recently, I did my research and wrote a comprehensive guide on Apple Pencil vs other styluses. This might give you a different perspective on the Apple Pencil.

Apple Pencil vs Samsung S-Pen: Performance

Depending on your utility with the stylus pen, there will be a certain performance benchmark that you might need to judge by.

Performance is also seriously impacted by the operating system and software they use to register the touch input.

Apple Pencil

Although Apple doesn’t disclose its specs, by user experience it’s safe to say it is one of the best-performing AES-based stylus pens in the market right now.

It has great pressure sensitivity, very low latency at just 9ms, and very good natural palm rejection.

Although there is a slight reported issue with parallax errors, it is barely noticeable at all and I wouldn’t consider it a deal-breaker at all.

iOS has also vastly adapted to the Apple Pencil and hence provides a much more integrated and seamless experience.

Samsung S-Pen

Samsung has done a great job in relating as close of performance as Apple has done, without having remotely as much freedom with its software.

Samsung S-Pen also boasts great pressure sensitivity with 4096 levels (which I assume is the same with Apple Pencil too) and has the same latency numbers at 9ms too.

S-Pen also doesn’t suffer from as great of a parallax error issue as Apple, which was already negligible.

These parallax errors are more to be blamed on the Smart device touchscreen rather than the pen used to input touch information.

But unfortunately, Android is still not that great with stylus features and hence Samsung has to do extra work to make everything perfect, and you can only do so much.

Verdict

Both are very similar in terms of the performance offered, but the software experience for stylus pens on iOS/iPadOS is far better than any Android skin in the market right now.

For that specific reason, I would go with the Apple Pencil for sure.

Apple Pencil vs Samsung S-Pen: Features and Connectivity

Stylus pens usually improve upon their USP status by including features that appeal to a broader range of audience for maximum sales.

This also requires them to have solid connectivity functionalities to pair with the broader audience with different Smart devices.

Apple Pencil

Apple pencil incorporates only the bare necessary features, such as palm rejection, tip-tilt shading, etc.

It relies mostly on iOS software for most of its extra functionality and features.

Connectivity is great with iPads as it automatically connects to the device when you detach the pen from the magnetic charging side of the iPad.

But compatibility is a whole other issue, as Apple Pencil is only supported by select models of the iPad lineup. It won’t work with Android or any other operating system.

Samsung S-Pen

Samsung S-Pen is completely different from what Apple has done, in that it is loaded with a bunch of features.

S-Pen has dedicated shortcut buttons that can be custom configured for multiple use cases.

It has a lot of gestures supported, and the sole reason it has a battery is to juice up for the extra functionality it boasts.

Connectivity is also great as it automatically connects to the Samsung device. It additionally also has Bluetooth for other devices.

This helps incompatibility with both iOS(with restricted features) and other Android devices without issues.

Verdict

This is an easy choice for Samsung S-Pen.

Even if Apple adds more gestures and device support, chances are it will be from their next-gen Pencils and the current-gen won’t notice the benefits.

If you are using the S-Pen with a Galaxy A series tablet, you can find some great alternatives to the S-Pen here- Best Styluses for Galaxy Tab A series.

Apple Pencil vs Samsung S-Pen: Battery and Pricing

Battery life is very important when considering any active stylus pen. Thankfully, newer gen stylus pens excel in battery life with respect to continuous usage.

Apple Pencil

Apple pencil lasts a very long time from a full charge. It is rated for 12 hours of use and Apple’s battery stats are always real-life stats and in my usage stand true to themselves.

It also supports fast charging and fills up the pen in just 15 minutes.

Charging is also very convenient by just magnetically attaching the pencil to the side of the iPad Pro. This helps in making the battery life just a non-factor in general.

The Apple Pencil is priced at a hefty 99 for the 2nd gen and 79 for the 1st gen.

This is a high premium to pay for a stylus pen, considering third parties are available at half the price of these.

But then again, they don’t offer the same functionality and features as the official Apple Pencil, so I guess the pricing is justified as per the brand.

Samsung S-Pen

Samsung pens are also fantastic with their battery management.

The phone lineup of S-Pens still work on their respective device, even if they are devoid of charge (only the extra features will be shut down)

The recent pro lineup of S-Pen boasts 16 days of battery life on normal use, with a full charge taking 50 minutes.

They also conveniently attach magnetically to charge, and also have an additional USB c port, making charging much of an afterthought, just like the Pencil.

The price of S-Pens varies across devices, from as much as 99 for their S Pen Pro to as little as 30 for their note series S-Pens.

Verdict

Although battery charging speeds are technically better on the Apple Pencil, Samsung does keep up with Apple by earning points lasting 10x longer than the Pencil.

The pricing is also a similar affair, but considering Samsung’s extra features, the S-Pen does take the cake in this category.

Apple Pencil vs Samsung S-Pen: Miscellaneous Specifications

There is a lot more stuff regarding a stylus pen to look at, especially while comparing two different products.

I have made a simple chart for easy understanding that will help greatly differentiate between the two products while refreshing the information we have learnt.

For the sake of proper and accurate classification, I will be comparing the Apple Pencil 2nd gen with the Samsung S Pen Pro.

Apple Pencil and the S-pen trade blow spectacularly with each other in all the categories we analyzed them in.

This shows the sheer competition amongst the brands in the market, hoping to one-up every time they get the opportunity.

By sales figures, Apple Pencil beats the S-Pen by a whole mile and some. But S-Pens has more users than the Apple Pencil.

But Apple selling the Pencil as an extra peripheral rather than the pen being with the device, like Samsung does, could be the reason for such figures.

They are the best when it comes to the operating systems they natively are compatible with, and this could be the point of contention regarding what your preference could be.

In my personal opinion, I would give the Samsung S-Pen a very slight edge just due to its compatibility, features, and design aesthetics implemented.

I hope this article gave you a proper insight into the differences to make out your best decision too when it comes to the Pencil vs S-pen debate.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

How long will an Apple Pencil tip last?

Depending on how much and how long you use the Apple Pencil, it will last at least 4 to 6 months.

Do Apple Pencils work on iPhones?

As of 2023, Apple pencils are restricted to only select iPad Pro models. Support for iPhones is only rumoured with the 3rd generation Apple Pencils.

Can I use a completely discharged Samsung S-Pen as a Passive Stylus for drawing?

S-Pens on the note and fold lineup will work on their respective supported screens with only certain gesture features disabled if the pen doesn’t have any charge.

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Hey! I’m Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

Hey! I’m Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

Best Stylus for Android Tablets Phones (Drawing) | 2023

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It can be challenging to understand what the best stylus or drawing on Android Tablets smartphones. It’s common that the best stylus for Android is an active pen and usually comes with a premium model of the device you bought.

Whether you’re drawing or writing, it’s important to know the type of digital pen available to you and its pros and cons when searching for the best stylus for Android Tablets Smartphone.

Most Stylus pens for Android that are third party pens are ‘capactive’ and do not have pressure sensitivity. These are good for basic drawing, but not for advanced apps.

You can also see which additional stylus work in the 7 Best Stylus for Photoshop Adobe Illustrator – some are Android compatible.

The pen that comes with your model Tablet will typically be ‘active’. For example the Samsung Galaxy S and Note models come with an S-Pen, whereas the Lenovo tablet models comes with the Lenovo Active Pen 2…

I found that other third party pens available typically do not provide pressure sensitivity the way the native pens will for Android. In this post, I’ll be covering all aspects around the best stylus for Android Tablets and phones, their pros and cons, and how to use them.

• Best Stylus for Android Tablets Smartphones – At a glance
• Best Stylus for Android Tablets Phones (Drawing)
• 1. Adonit Dash 3: Best Drawing Stylus for Android (Overall)
• 2. Cisirun: Best budget Active stylus pen for Android Tablets and Smartphones
• 3. Adonit Pro 4: Best Stylus for basic drawing on Android (Capacitive)
• 4. EVACH: Best fine-tip stylus for Android tablets Android SmartPhones (S-Pen Alternative)
• 5. MEKO: Best Android Stylus that works for drawing (fine tip)
• 6. Digiroot Universal: Best budget Capacitive Stylus for Android touchscreen tablets
• 7. S-Pen: Best Active Stylus with pressure sensitivity (Galaxy)
• 8. Wacom Bamboo tip: Best Wacom stylus for Android
• 9. Mixoo Pen: Popular Universal, Capacitive Android stylus that also works with iPad and Microsoft touchscreens
• 10. KIMCrown: Best Stylus for Taking notes on Android Phones and Tablets (school, class, work)
• How to choose a Stylus Pen for Android
• Stylus Tips Nibs
• Are there Pressure sensitive Active Stylus for Android?
• What is a Stylus pen for Android and what are they capable of?
• Do stylus pens work on Android?
• Android Stylus App Compatibility for Drawing Note-Taking
• Freehand drawing, Logo making, and Calligraphy on Android tablets
• Does the Samsung S-Pen work with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom?
• Will basic capacitive stylus work on Lenovo Stylus?
• How do Android Stylus compare to Apple Pencils?
• Conclusion

Best Stylus for Android Tablets Smartphones – At a glance

Here is my top picks for the Best Stylus for Android drawing based on Pressure sensitivity, tilt control, app compatibility and active/stylus type:

Androids tablets that are not big name brands are forced to use either a capacitive or a active stylus that is made by that specific name brand since there are not many active pen options for these types.

Can I use an Active stylus on a cheap Android tablet?

I’ve found that there are no external, third party, active stylus for the lesser known brand Android tablets for purchase online-unless they come packaged with the Tablet itself.

So, if you’re using a cheap, no name brand Android tablet and want to perform pro-level art projects, then it might be time to upgrade your Tablet itself if there are no Active pens to choose from for your device.

Best Stylus for Android Tablets Phones (Drawing)

If you are drawing or sketching, then you have two choices when choosing the best stylus for Android: An Active or Capacitive type pen. These have very different effects on drawing, writing and navigation and Android devices.

Here is are difference between an active and capacitive stylus pen for Android devices:

• ‘Active Stylus pen’ are typically more expensive, typically 50 or higher, and allows for pressure sensitivity capable of pro-level art.
• ‘Capactive’ typically costs less, and don’t provide true pressure sensitivity to make thicker or thinner lines- this works great for most consumers who are just beginning to draw or need a tablet apparatus to write, take notes, and navigate the UI better.

It can be challenging to find the Best stylus for Android; especially those for drawing on Android tablets and smartphones. I’ve researched and identified the Stylus pens that work best:

Adonit Dash 3: Best Drawing Stylus for Android (Overall)

The Adonit brand is a leader and popular choice in the Android tablet pen space. The Adonit Dash 3 is one of two Adonit models compatible with Android devices and is one of the most popular alternatives as an Android Stylus.

The Dash 3 will be a great choice for most because it will work for note-taking, annotations and basic drawing.

Battery: Most passive stylus pens do not have a battery but the Adonit Dash 3 does. The charge from the battery makes it register better on capacitive touchscreens. Charging only takes 45 minutes and you get 14 hours of straight work on a full charge.

The Dash 3 charges in a nonstandard way compared to other passive stylus pens.

The pen attaches magnetically to a recessed charging base, which then plugs into a USB port. This can sometimes be an issue if you lose the charging base. Also, users have reported that the pen has to be at just the right angle for charging to work.

Adonit proves to be the ideal choice for alternative pens for the big name brand devices.

Adonit makes stylus that are certainly the best alternative to the Samsung ‘S-pens’ I’ve tested thus far for the Galaxy Tab/Phones and Note10/10.

App Compatibility: Experts who used Medibang Artflow,, Notability and GoodNotes boast that the Dash 3 works very well with their apps. Since this pen does not have palm rejection, one user recommended Notability, which has built-in palm rejection, for note-taking.

If all you want is a digital tool for simple drawings and writing, the Adonit Dash 3 will do its job.

Professional artists, though, will always have a high standard for stylus pens and will probably go with more expensive, active stylus pens or non-Android tablets like the Surface Pro or iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil.

Cisirun: Best budget Active stylus pen for Android Tablets and Smartphones

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Product and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

The CiSiRUN is a stylus pen that is very affordable. It is an ideal choice for those on a budget who need a stylus pen that can take notes and draw with different stroke thickness.

It’s considered an active pen due to its buttons, but I found it does not have the pressure sensitivity the stylus that come with their tablets have,

Design: The pen, when held, has a nice weight to it and feels just right with one’s natural hand movements. No apps or Bluetooth connection is needed. Just press the button on the side to turn the pen on and off.

Battery: The rechargeable battery goes to a full charge from zero in 60 minutes and can support up to 10 hours of continuous use and 30 days of standby time.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, highly compatible stylus for basic drawing and notes on Android, then the Cisirun is for you.

The CiSiRUN pen offers flexibility with its fine copper tip on one end for those fine details you want when drawing while also having the option to use the mesh tip on the other end for larger and thicker strokes. The mesh tip can also be used just for scrolling or tapping the screen while gaming; it even works with the pen turned off! Remove the mesh tip and you will find the USB slot for charging.

Apps that work well with the CiSiRUN pen include drawing apps like Autodesk SketchBook, ArtFlow, Painter, Design, and Zen Brush.

This is a fully functional stylus pen that won’t break the bank. As long as you are okay with it not having palm rejection or pressure sensitivity, the CiSiRUN pen stylus for Android will work well for most of your needs.

Adonit Pro 4: Best Stylus for basic drawing on Android (Capacitive)

pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

If all you need is a stylus for is simple note taking, annotating, and basic drawing, then the Adonit Pro 4 is a practical and affordable choice. It is much cheaper than the Dash 3 and yet surprisingly, it looks even more elegant.

Design: Made totally from aluminum, the Pro 4 is very light. The nib is housed by copper casing; the eraser end is copper as well. A streamlined pen clip with a sleek grooved hook easily slides the pen into any As it is a twist cap, it can be attached to either end: to protect the tip or on the other end so it is not misplaced

Features: The Pro 4 is a passive, non-Bluetooth pen. It works just like your fingers, minus the finger smudges. As this is a no-frills pen, it will not come with palm rejection, shortcut buttons, or tilt technology.

You also cannot make your strokes thin or thick because it lacks pressure sensitivity. However, because it does not run on battery, there is nothing to charge. It just works as soon as you put pen to screen.

A distinguishing feature of the Pro 4 is its disc tip. This conductive tip is smaller than that of other pen with similar features. As it is transparent, you can see exactly where you want to draw and it recognizes your strokes fairly accurately.

If you want a pen that just works and looks very elegant and you do not necessarily need a pen that changes stroke thickness with pressure, the Adonit Pro 4 is a great choice.

EVACH: Best fine-tip stylus for Android tablets Android SmartPhones (S-Pen Alternative)

If you are the owner of a Samsung Galaxy Tab A from 2016 onwards, and you are looking for an alternative to the S Pen, the EVACH was designed specifically for this model as an alternative!

In fact, it even works with other Samsung models, like the newer S series. Just make sure you double check for compatibility with your model before purchasing.

Battery: The EVACH is a rechargeable pen that comes with a built-in lithium battery. It takes 60 minutes to get a full charge, which then gives 8 continuous hours of work. A Smart saver feature shuts down the pen after 30 minutes of non-use. Charging is via a USB slot located at the mesh tip end. Just pull out the mesh tip to expose the USB slot.

Pen Tips: Two tips (a fine tip and a mesh tip) allow you flexibility. Use the fine tip when you need to write fine lines or when you are sketching and need to put in details that require thin lines.

The mesh tip is great for scrolling, highlighting sentences, underscoring, circling certain areas of a document, or shading in with broad strokes.

While it works fine for some, there are users who have complained about lines being shaky or lags when you draw. I haven’t seen this to be true when I had this in my hands. Artists could get a bit frustrated with this if they are creating serious pro-level artwork and this occurs.

However, if you use the mesh tip more than the fine tip, this pen will still work for you.

MEKO: Best Android Stylus that works for drawing (fine tip)

The MEKO 1.6mm is well known in the Android pen space. It has been getting a fair amount of positive feedback from users with several artists saying they have been using the MEKO stylus pen for their digital art.

Available in either black or white, this brushed aluminum stylish stylus works with most capacitive touch screens. The 1.6mm solid rubber tip is highly sensitive and responsive, making drawing strokes more precise and with little lag.

Features: On the opposite end of the pen is a magnetic mesh tip. This can be used for broader strokes, for scrolling up and down, highlighting, and marking up documents. This mesh tip will continue to work with your device, even when the battery runs down.

Artist users say that while the pen point is not exactly on top of where the digital line should be, it is off by only a millimeter or less, which they find acceptable.

Design: The pen does not have pressure sensitivity so pressing down on the pen will not change the thickness of your stroke. It also does not have palm rejection; you may need to buy a palm glove.

Battery: The MEKO pen is USB-chargeable. It takes 60 minutes to get to a full charge and gives 9 hours of continuous use. To save on battery, the pen shuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Digiroot Universal: Best budget Capacitive Stylus for Android touchscreen tablets

Another inexpensive passive stylus pen is the Digiroot Universal which works with so many different brands of Android devices.

Design: The Digiroot Universal is said to be very responsive. It sports a disc tip on one end for finer and thinner lines. On the opposite end is a fiber tip that can also be used as a stylus.

Battery: The pen does not need a battery; it works straight out of the box and never has to be charged. A rubber comfort grip gives you a slip-free drawing experience. The shaft is made of aluminum so it is very lightweight in your hands.

In fact, it is inexpensive and so easy to use that many parents actually gave this pen to their children who would use these for their own drawings.

DigiRoot is very popular amongst the budget stylus for Android choices available due to it’s design and capacitive capabilities.

App compatibility: Some apps that artists use with Digiroot Universal include ibisPaint X and Autodesk Sketchbook. It works well too for those doing vector illustration or just traditional drawing/painting.

Even at its budget price point, the Digiroot Universal pen gives even more value — it also comes with additional disc and fiber tips.

S-Pen: Best Active Stylus with pressure sensitivity (Galaxy)

The S Pen is a stylus that is made specifically for Samsung tablets. It works with touchscreen devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 or Note 10.1 inch tablet (both Android devices). Additionally, it has pen nibs on it and can work with drawing apps and note taking apps on the tablet.

S-Pen is good for drawing because it’s an Active Android Stylus Pen and is capable of Pro level art, unlike others I’ve listed.

I’ve personally tested and explored all the features of the S Pen and I found out how to use it, what it’s good for, and its benefits for drawing on the Android Devices.

Battery: The S Pen has 10 hours of battery life because it requires a bluetooth connection to communicate with the Samsung device, similar to the way the Apple Pencil communicates with the iPad.

App Compatibility: When you are using the S Pen, there is a note taking app that is pre-installed on your device called “S Note”. The S Note app makes it easier for you to take notes and edit them on your device. You can create different notebooks like science class or math class, etc.

This pen is also compatible with other apps that are on the Android natively as well as the google play store. You can use the pen to draw, edit photos, and write.

Design: The pen nibs come in a myriad of colors such as blue, black, and what looks to be off-white or silver. The color of the pen nibs are black, but look and draw wonderfully-fat better than a capacitive pen.

While the pens come with the Tablet itself, you can get a replacement on Amazon or Ebay if you lose it. I find it useful that this pen is highly compatible with Samsung Tablet native apps, because it makes it useful for handwritten notes and note-taking in addition to drawing.

The S-Pen is the best pressure sensitive Stylus for Android-Particularly for Samsung devices

Whats really cool is that the S-Pen for the Note models of Samsung actually allows you to click the pen to stop or pause videos and presentations. It can simply act as a longer arm or a pro-level drawing pen- it’s up to you!

Wacom Bamboo tip: Best Wacom stylus for Android

The Wacom Bamboo Tip belongs to the leading brand in the stylus market. It is a solid choice for those who take notes and do simple drawings or annotations. Without palm rejection or pressure sensitivity, professional artists, however, would normally go for more expensive active stylus pens.

The first thing you notice about the Bamboo Tip is its beautiful steel blue color. The pen is slimmer than most pens, sports a bamboo tip, and has an elongated power button in the middle that you slide to power on/off. A smaller button, on the top end of the barrel, is supposed to be flicked up or down to optimize performance when you experience skipping or jagged lines when writing. Some users, however, said they did not notice any difference when that button was up or down.

The Bamboo Tip has a battery, much like the Adonit Dash 3. The extra charge from the battery is supposed to give the accuracy of a finer tip stylus without requiring Bluetooth connectivity; it also makes the pen work better than a pen with no battery.

Charging is via a USB slot which is accessible by flipping open the cover opposite the nib. A full charge can give about 20 hours of continuous use. Take note though: the charging slot is not a USB-C port.

While slightly more expensive than other brands, loyal Wacom users who do not need the features of an active stylus pen will go for this.

Mixoo Pen: Popular Universal, Capacitive Android stylus that also works with iPad and Microsoft touchscreens

The Mix stylus Pen is a very popular universal, capacitive Android Stylus that doesn’t have a battery. It works very well for all Android tablets and has precision disc tip at the end of it. Compared to the fine-tip stylus for Android, the Disc tip allows for smooth navigation.

A disc tip stylus like the Mixoo is a type of stylus with an aluminum body that features a round, disc-shaped end.

Design: The design of this particular pen for Android makes it lightweight and durable-it can handle a decent amount of use with its disc tip nib. This stylus didn’t scratch my Android tablet (Samsung Note 10) nor my Smartphone because the Disc tip is made out of what feels to be silicon.

The Capacitive style stylus is compatible with most Android tablets and smartphones (other than Samsung devices).

Battery: The Meko doesn’t have a battery, so it’s not considered a bluetooth stylus- it doesn’t require charging. It does, however, make good use for basic drawing apps, but not advanced ones since it’s pressure sensitivity is none existent. So, the tip choices on this stylus for Android works well for digital art and painting with apps like Sketchbook Pro or Krita. IT also has a mesh alternative tip.

Overall, this stylus feels expensive, but its rather inexpensive and it has limited features since it’s capacitive. It’s the size of a standard pen, roughly 6 inches and actually has a heavy feel to it. It’s comparable to other cheap digital painting tools under 15 and is a step down from the S-pen and Android for advanced drawing, animation and graphic design due to the lack of pressure levels/bluetooth compatibility.

KIMCrown: Best Stylus for Taking notes on Android Phones and Tablets (school, class, work)

The KIMCrown is actually a bit more valuable than a stylus like the Mixoo for Android, because it comes with 2 pens instead of one. It’s design is not one that you would typically see on the lower priced models since It actually has a fine point disc tip and magnetic caps which are very useful (the screw off caps are a pain from my experience!).

If you’re looking for a cheap Android stylus to use with drawing and writing apps, math, lectures ,school or remote learning, then this pen is for you.

Like most capacitive, non-pressure sensitive pens, the KIMCrown is simply great for artists, students or work professionals who want to draw but don’t need anything fancy or advanced.

The Pen is accurate, and it has extra replacement tips that are easily found on Amazon by searching the product page of the actual stylus. This is something that many products don’t have, making them difficult to replace.

This is not similar to the pen that comes with most Samsung Galaxy Tab models and other high end tablets such as the Top tier Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 touchscreens… but it still works really well with drawing programs.

The tip of this pen is very smooth and precise and appears to be made from plastic and silicon, I have had absolutely no issues drawing on my tablet while using this stylus as its universal, capacitive and doesn’t require a batteryIt did not come with a clip so you can’t attach this stylus to your shirt like you can with the mixoo.

Its a capacitive stylus so when it comes to drawing on apps like the adobe suite, it will work.

The design of this pen resembles that of Wacomor S-pen stylus, the difference is that which those stylus provide significantly better accuracy, precision, tilt control, and palm rejection. This pen doesn’t have any of those features, which is important when looking for the best drawing stylus for Android devices and you plan to draw or write notes.

The tip end of this pen is very smooth and precise and appears to be made from plastic and silicon, I have had absolutely no issues drawing on my tablet while using this stylus as its universal, capacitive and doesn’t require a battery-just don’t expect pen sensitivity levels to exist because those are tough to find on Android-thats why so many choose the native pen that comes with their name brand tablet.

How to choose a Stylus Pen for Android

Choosing a Stylus Pen for Android is easy, but it can be a bit daunting if you don’t know where to start. You’ll want to know whether your drawing and if you want to use a capacitive or active stylus. This is because active stylus work best with apps that support pressure sensitivity (like Krita, Autodesk Sketchbook, etc.). Capacitive stylus are the most basic because they work with apps that don’t require pressure sensitivity.

Active stylus will only work with apps that support pressure sensitivity, but this leads to a stronger and heightened experience when drawing because you can see the lines getting thick as you press harder against the touchscreen.

Now that you know what type of stylus you need on the Android tablet for writing and drawing, you’ll want to consider what apps you’re using and what tip you need. You’ll want to look at features such as tilt control, eraser, Palm rejection, and compatibility with the apps you use.

The best tip for your pen is the one that feels the most natural to you. For example, if you’re using a capacitive stylus, you may like a fine point or a medium point depending if you like thin lines or thicker ones. However you can’t use thicker or thinner lines without either an active stylus or software that enables pressure sensitivity.

Active Android stylus work best with apps that support pressure sensitivity.

Stylus Tips Nibs

For starters, when it comes to the tips for the stylus pen there is a slight difference between the three main types. A nib tip will work best, one like the Samsung’s S Pen is ideal and is one of the only Active stylus that worked flawless when I tested it on an Android tablet.

Do Android stylus pen nibs wear out?

Yes, Android stylus pen tips/nibs will wear out over time. The more pressure a tip/nib takes, the quicker it will wear out, but it takes longer than a standard, pencil on paper from my experience. If you like to write and sketch then a stylus with a good fine tip nib can be very helpful in digital painting as well as handwriting.

Very similar to any regular stylus, the stylus for Android will wear out-Since stylus use nib to simulate the feeling of a pen on paper they’ll slowly deteriorate and start to fray. This will make the pen unusable. However, the nibs are quite cheap and you can buy them either separately or in packs-usually on Amazon.

It’s Smart to have multiple backups in case one breaks over time in the middle of drawing on your Android with your stylus.

For example, if your using Samsung, then the S-Pen is your best bet as its the best active stylus for pressure sensitivity and drawing. The Stylus Pen has become the standard for all most all digital device smartphones, tablets and computers. See our list of the Best Tablets for drawing that don’t need a computer

Are there Pressure sensitive Active Stylus for Android?

Yes, The Stylus that will work with pressure sensitivity on Android is the active pen type. In the past, these types of pens were mainly used in conjunction with a pen tablet (like Wacom) and a computer (see How to Write on a Computer Screen with a Pen) However this technology has transcended and evolved to work as active stylus for drawing on Android-based devices (And tablets in general).

The best stylus for Android will have pressure sensitivity and this is what to look for when picking one if you’re serious about drawing, digital art, graphic design, or animating. These can be used on sensitive touchscreen displays such as those found on Android smartphones and tablets. It’s important to note that most of these work best with their respective tablet because of its compatibility.

If you’re considering a cheap capacitive stylus, know that it won’t grant you the same level of pressure sensitivity on Android because capacitive pens don’t have active technology like an active stylus does. This would mean that you will get the basic, standard level of sensitivity (none), which is not quite the pressure sensitivity an artist is looking for.

What is a Stylus pen for Android and what are they capable of?

A stylus pen for Android is a type of input device typically found on Android touchscreen devices. It is designed to mimic the natural interaction you’d have if you were using your finger to draw or write on your screen.

A stylus pen is a small pen-like tool with a tactile, pressure-sensitive tip that’s used on electronic devices such as computers and smartphones. They are compatible with a variety of devices and are often used as an input device if they are an Active Stylus type. Although these active types can be expensive, there are many free alternatives such as free online drawing tools where you use your finger or a capacitive stylus which has less features, but works universally on most touchscreens.

Active vs Capacitive Stylus on Android

For Android and touchscreen devices, An active pen is a stylus that has the ability to sense the amount of pressure applied with it on a tablet display. This is more commonly on tablets rather than smartphones. For Smartphones a Capacitive stylus Is typically the only compatible choice.

What is an Active stylus for Android?

For active pens, the pressure sensitivity is measured by how far down on the screen that the graphics appear through application of pressure. The greater the activeness, or pressure sensitivity, of an active pen, the more accurate and responsive it will be in graphical illustration on your tablet screen.

Active stylus Pens are typically used for advanced, in-depth drawing and digital art. While capacitive pens are used for drawing, writing and navigation as wells general use. The technology behind how the stylus pens for Android and stylus pens in general have evolved through testing of natural grips and usage patterns (source).

What is a capacitive stylus for Android?

The capacitive pen is a writing aparatus that uses an electric current to register changes in elevation of the collector plate. Capactive stylus for Android have no battery whatsoever. They work universally on all capacitive touchscreen displays. The pen can be used for drawing, sketching, or writing diagrams, it just won’t be as sensitive or precise as an active pen, like the Apple Pencil 2. S-Pen or the Lenovo Active Pen models.

Do stylus pens work on Android?

Yes Stylus pens work well on Android. Like most tablets, the Android tablets have touchscreens that are capable of stylus input. You have a choice between capacitive or active stylus on Android touchscreens. In most cases, the more premium tablets will have an active pen that works to use pressure sensitivity to draw well on the tablet as it communicates with the tablet rather than using the technology a capacitive pen would.

A capacitive stylus can still draw great and both work well for writing, taking notes, remote learning and more on Android.

Do Capacitive stylus work on androids? Yes, they do-In spite of some pens being less pressure sensitive, these stylus work very well with most capacitive screens. That means that a stylus will work best on most Android tablets and smartphones, even if they don’t specifically advertise compatibility. A good example of this is the Samsung Galaxy Note series of phones and tablets as well as other similar models by different manufacturers.

Android Stylus App Compatibility for Drawing Note-Taking

What apps work well for Android stylus? The Draw Paint sketch app, infinite painter (nvidia), Sketchbook, Artflow and Krita all work on the Android. Which stylus you choose will depend on the level of art you nee.d If you need pressure sensitive artwork, then an active stylus is ideal. The Pens native to the brand tablet you have work best. A good example of this is the S-Pen from Samsung. The smaller the pen, the harder to control and precise you need to be.

For drawing and note taking apps-A good feature to have is palm rejection and pressure sensitivity. I also prefer a stylus with a magnetic tip as I find it easy to use on my tablet and it looks more aesthetically pleasing than most of other pens. There are a growing number of apps compatible with stylus in the Play store, and it is increasing day by day as the Android community is getting more and more knowledge about it. Here is a list of some app compatible with Android stylus that you can use.

Draw Paint Sketch (Free)

Draw paint sketch app has been designed for taking notes in drawing or painting. It has different features like vertical and horizontal drawing, color on-off toggle, watercolor painting (with watercolor brush)

Infinite Painter (Free; but was previously Paid)

Infinite painter is a free drawing app for Android enabled with brushes and canvas. It’s easy to use because you can have access to more than 40 different sets of brushes with 10 different textures. It has the ability to draw any variety of wonderful paintings using the brushes it offers. You can export your painting in tiff or jpeg format and share your masterpiece on. Instagram. etc.

Sketchbook (Free)

Sketchbook is a interesting drawing app for Android which has advanced features like layer support, color fill tool and other digital art focused tools. This app works well with both styli pen and fingers. It supports all types of digital stylus and works well on most Android Tablets.

ArtFlow (Paid)

ArtFlow is an awesome drawing app for better personalization and support for multiple styli. You can customize your ArtFlow with hundreds of fonts, texts and stickers right from your app drawer. If you want to use iCloud, ArtFlow supports it too.

Krita (Paid

Krita is a free graphics application that is compatible on Linux, Windows, Mac OS X and Android as well as other platforms such as iOS, BlackBerry OSX, etc. It’s a very advanced digital painting application and it can be used for Art and design work. You can also sketch, design and write fancy letters on it. It also supports all types of Android Stylus.

PaintDroid Pro (Paid)

This is an amazing color picking app for Android which works well with any type of stylus or fingers. It has a feature of drawing perfect circles, square and freehand lines. Not only that, it also supports different sizes of brushes too. It includes all kinds of filters, images editor, pencils and more. PaintDroid Pro has a good interface and it is easy to use for beginner artists or those just looking to draw and experiment with a stylus on Android.

ArtRage Studio (Free)

Whether you’re using a capacitive stylus to draw on Android, or one of the better active stylus for Android, then ArtRage Studio can be fun to experiment with.

It’s an amazing painting app for Android devices which comes with 3D and digital sculpting tools as well as paint and brush access.

It’s popular drawing, painting, and sketching app that uses the screen of your device to make creating art much more convenient. It has everything; it includes filters and easy-to-use tools that let you animate your drawings with a few swipes and taps.

Artrage studio app for Android also lets you create amazing portraits in a snap with its blending mode features.

8.Medibang Paint

Medibang paint is a drawing app on Android for artists taking digital art and comic creation seriously. It allows the artist to draw and paint with all the creative freedom they would find in traditional art.

Medibang is Cross platform, friendly user interface, has a ton of advanced features for those doing anime.

The app has a variety of realistic brushes, patterns, and textures that can be adjusted as necessary to suit the style or look you are trying to achieve. You can also select different blending modes and brush sizes so that you have complete control over your artwork’s appearance. I

It also has layer control, and comic panels comic book tools and a great platform for illustration.

Which is the best drawing app for Android Tablets?

Amongst this list, Artflow, Infinity painter, medibang and sketchbook pro are the best Drawing apps when using a stylus to draw on Android because they all utilize an active pen’s features such as pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, tilt sensitivity tilt detection, a bluetooth connection that communicates with the Tablet for pro-level art projects.

This means that the apps will only follow your stylus movements, and not your hand movements, giving you a much more natural feel when drawing. If your using photoshop or illustrator and you plan on expanding your setup, you’ll want to check out the 7 Best Drawing Tablets for Photoshop Illustrator.

Freehand drawing, Logo making, and Calligraphy on Android tablets

If you don’t have a stylus then the sensible option is to use apps such as Autodesk sketchbook pro or graphire chart which are all finger friendly, and work similarly to the way Microsoft paint works on PC.

For graphic design, cartoons and general art on Android, there’s a few apps that are just excellent. These compare to Apple iPad apps that can be used with the Apple Pencil stylus. However, I personally find the two comparable-it will depend on your preferred operating system. If you’re performing a lot of drawing, logo making, or calligraphy on an Android Smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy Tab or Note_, then you’ll likely want a large MicroSD Card. See the biggest MicroSD Cards available.

When you’re drawing freehand or creating logo’s the right stylus for you is an Active stylus since it has the pen pressure to make thick or thin lines based on the pressure.

Does the Samsung S-Pen work with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom?

Yes the S-Pen will work on the Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and adobe lightroom. The versions of Adobe that work on these may or may not be limited compared to desktop versions but the stylus is an active pen and will provide pressure sensitivity to the apps that are compatible and allow it.

The “Photoshop Express” app is an alternative to the Photoshop app, but it lacks a lot of features that the standard Photoshop has. It is still, however, a great alternative for those looking to organize their photos and edit them with some basic effects. You can adjust exposure or contrast levels, remove red-eye, crop the image if appropriate, add captions and more.

The Adobe Creative Cloud in general is ideal for those drawing, and the Android tablet Stylus can benefit.

If you are definitely going to be using Photoshop on a regular basis at home or in school, it’s worth the investment to purchase a more expensive pen with pressure sensitivity and replaceable nibs that offer different textures.

Will basic capacitive stylus work on Lenovo Stylus?

Lenovo has a line of tablets that run Android and a capactive stylus will work on it. While, the Lenovo Active Pen 2 or Lenovo native stylus is most ideal as a stylus on these tablets; you can also choose a stylus create by a third party. For example, most pens in this post besides the S-Pen will work well on the Lenovo Tablets that run Android.

If you are looking for a great stylus that works on your Lenovo Android OS tablet, Capactive pens are the ones to go with. These stylus pens offer highly accurate and precise inputs and strokes so you can rest easy with the knowledge that every stroke is your work of art. Furthermore, these capacitive stylus work flawlessly on most tablets, in both landscape and portrait modes.

The best part is that their responsive design stays true to its original intent: they can be used over most surfaces including digital whiteboards or basic drawing and writing apps.

For example, the Lenovo Tab M10 and P11 Pro models run Android and can use a capactiive stylus.

How do Android Stylus compare to Apple Pencils?

The Apple Pencil has similar features to an active stylus for Android being used for drawing: palm rejection, tilt technology, tap to pair, shortcut buttons, and the presence of a battery.

An Android stylus like the S-Pen or the Lenovo Active Pen or Lenovo Slim pens are very similar to the Apple Pencil, but there are a few differences.

Apple Pencil is different than an Android stylus because its compatible only with iPad and has shortcut buttons that are different than Android. Otherwise the capabilities are about the same. The way it feels on a screen is slightly more smooth than the Galaxy and works really well the iOS drawing apps like Procreate.

We cover more on this in our post: Apple Pencil vs Stylus: What are the differences? We also compare the S-Pen in depth vs the Apple Pencil in that post.

The S-Pen for example, is a pressure sensitive stylus that was designed by Samsung for its Galaxy Note series of phones and tablets. The stylus has a rubberized tip that glides across the screens and offers more precision than the standard fingers touch. Pen-enabled apps also receive pressure sensitivity with this stylus since its an active pen, and not capacitive.

The Apple Pencil is held in the same way as one would hold an Android Stylus… it’s not much different in that aspect.

In my opinion I found the Apple Pencil to allow for more control than the passive stylus pens such as the S-Pen or Lenovo Active Pen because it has a pen nib that can be changed via the drawing app your using.

Conclusion

Best Stylus for Android Devices. Capacitive and Active stylus work on Android devices. If using the Samsung then the S-Pen is the best stylus, however other name brands have their respective pens that are typically included.

There are cheaper alternative Android stylus that are capactive and these work well on all touchscreen devices. These stylus for Android are good for drawing because they’re basic, but not ideal for pro level art. you can sketch on them, write, draw and take notes. This is the case for most touchscreen devices that run on Android.

The best Stylus for Android is an active pen with pressure sensitivity, tilt technology, precision and accuracy that communicates with the Tablets via bluetooth. Good capactive pens on the other hand for Android will have no pressure sensitivity (unless software changes this) and no tilt sensors

The best stylus for drawing on Android are ideally active stylus pens, but if it is capacitive and works on Android as well as Windows tablets, then will work with any app that accepts handwriting/display input on Android.

When you are shopping for a stylus pen for your Android tablet you will want one with pressure sensitivity, tilt sensor and precision accuracy if you can find it.The price points are cheap for Android stylus pens compared to that of an iPad.

So Overall, the best stylus for Android is the Samsung Galaxy Note S-Pen if your using Samsung, if not any active or capacitive stylus will works with most Android app and suits your drawing or note taking needs.

Posted on Last updated: 04/28/2023

Android Tablet vs. iPad: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Get?

If you are looking for a tablet, you may have probably hit a snag because you don’t know which one to get. If you already own an iPhone, you are probably leaning towards an iPad, but Android tablets make such a compelling case that you cannot ignore them. As for Android users, isn’t it exciting to have at least one Apple device in your collection?

Luckily, we are here to solve your dilemma. Below is an Android tablet vs. iPad review to determine which option offers better value for money. Keep reading to find out!

Android Tablet Vs. iPad: Side-By-Side Comparison

• 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with anti-glare coating
• M1 chip with Neural Engine
• Up to 256GB of available storage
• 12MP wide camera and 12MP Ultra Wide front camera
• Comes in space gray, pink, blue, purple, and starlight

Android Tablet vs. iPad: What’s the Difference?

Most tablet companies design and manufacture devices to provide highly portable yet fully-functional personal computers. However, though the manufacturers have similar goals for their end products, they strive to make their devices unique. For example, manufacturers use different operating systems, hardware, and technologies to differentiate their tablets. Below is an Android tablet vs. iPad review from a technical viewpoint.

Design

Do you know why tablet manufacturers invest millions of dollars into their designs? Well, it all comes down to an old marketing tactic that customers are always drawn to attractive things.

Clearly, Apple did their assignment with their iPads’ designs, because they are masterpieces. The uniformity in all iPads has its pros and cons. All iPads have a similar aluminum build, making them solid and compact. However, buying two different iPads with the same design can be monotonous. It doesn’t necessarily mean that all iPads have a similar design, but you may see the similarities if you look closely.

Customers want variety when shopping, which you will get with Android tablets. Remember, these Android tablets are a collection of devices made by different manufacturers. So, expect each company to conceptualize innovative designs. Case in point, have you seen the Galaxy Z Fold 3? Thanks to Samsung’s mind-blowing design, you can fold this Android tablet into a smartphone.

Besides getting multiple designs, Android tablets come in many colors. This is where iPads fail, because you may be excited to own a red iPad and not find it on the market. If your main FOCUS is on a tablet’s design, go for Android tablets, which offer more options than iPads.

Display

Next on our Android tablet vs. iPad debate is the display. Here, both Android tablets and iPads share common ground. You can get a tablet with different display sizes based on your preference. For instance, the iPad mini 6 has an 8.3-inch diagonal multi-touch display, ideal for users who prefer small-sized devices. Similarly, gamers, movie fanatics, interior designers, and others who prefer bigger displays will enjoy the 12.9-inch and 13-inch displays on the iPad Pro 2021 and Lenovo Yoga Tab 13, respectively.

However, contrary to what many believe, a bigger display doesn’t necessarily mean a superior user experience. It all comes down to how the display complements the tablet’s intended use. You should take an iPad over an Android tablet on this standard measure. Though Samsung tablets aren’t far behind regarding display quality, several features make iPads stand out. For instance, iPads have a retina display that makes their pixels invisible to the naked eye. It means you won’t see bold letters that sometimes appear huge and unclear because the pixels have been refined to make the details on the screen clear and crisp.

While it’s human nature to choose a tablet with a large screen size, take a minute and switch it on to check its clarity. Although iPads are usually smaller than Android tablets, their display clarity is unmatched.

• 14.6-inch display
• 256GB of available storage
• 12GB RAM
• Includes S-Pen
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor

Performance

Is a tablet’s performance important? Well, it depends on your usage. For instance, you need a tablet with a good processor when running heavy applications. Generally, all Android devices, including Samsung and Lenovo tablets, use Android processors. However, there are different variations of Android processors. For example, Samsung S8 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, while the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 870.

As for iPads, they use the iPadOS processor. This isn’t new, as Apple devices use iOS. Besides the iPadOS processor, iPads have either the M1 chipset, like the iPad Air 2022, or the M2 chipset, like the sixth-generation iPad Pro. The M1 chipset has eight cores, making it good for multitasking. For instance, you can split your screen and multitask between designing a product and watching a movie without the iPad hanging. Most people want a tablet that supports multitasking, so the iPad wins the performance debate.

Stylus Pen

Samsung was the pioneer of phone and tablet-compatible stylus pens. The company released its first stylus pen with the Galaxy Note 1 in 2011. Since then, Samsung has released several models, each new stylus pen improving on its predecessor. For example, whereas the first stylus pen mainly functioned as a pen and marker, the latest-generation stylus pen incorporates AI technology and gesture controls for an improved user experience.

Apple released its first-generation stylus pen in 2015. The Apple pencil was 6.92 inches long and weighed 20.7 grams. The stylus pen is compatible with most iPads, including first and second-generation iPad Pros, third-generation iPad Air, and fifth-generation iPad mini. Apple released its second-generation stylus pen in 2018. The pen’s notable features included pixel-perfect precision, wireless charging, and tilt and pressure sensitivity. The second-generation Apple pencils are compatible with third to sixth-generation iPad Pros (12.9-inch), sixth-generation iPad minis, and fourth and fifth-generation iPad Air tablets.

Lenovo and Amazon Fire tablets are also compatible with stylus pens. For example, Lenovo recommends the Lenovo Precision Pen 2 as the best input device for its Yoga Tab 13 tablet. You can use the EDIVIA Digital Pencil or Amazon Basics Stylus Pen for the Amazon Fire tablets. All in all, Samsung and Apple tablets have the most advanced stylus pens.

Battery

In the battery debate, iPads fare poorly. The iPad Air 2022 has a 7600mAh battery, which is disappointing for such a high-end device. Though we are used to Apple products having a low battery, we expected the iPad Air to have high capacity as it was among Apple’s best flagship iPads of 2022. Still, the iPad Pro provides at least 10 hours of usage when surfing Wi-Fi or watching videos.

We recommend getting an Android tablet if you spend significant time watching or gaming on your devices. Some notable tablets include the Samsung S8 Ultra, which has a 11200mAh battery. The tablet provides up to 14 hours of video playback time and eight hours when surfing using Wi-Fi. The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 competes reasonably well, given its 10000mAh battery. It provides at least 11.7 hours of watch time when streaming 1080P online content. Ultimately, Android tablets offer better battery capacity and usage time than iPads.

Price

Last but certainly not least, let’s discuss the price. This is the most sensitive section because you wouldn’t want a tablet that isn’t worth the cost.

Apple products are often pricey; however, some iPad tablets are.friendly. For example, iPad mini tablets cost 499 and 649 for 64GB and 256GB storage, respectively. Conversely, other iPad models like the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 will set you back 2,199 for a tablet with 2TB storage.

As for Android tablets, it depends on the model. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra costs over 800 for a tablet with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. You can still get a cheap Android tablet like the Amazon Fire HD 10 for less than 150.

Overall, Android tablets are cheaper than iPads. However, it depends on the tablet you choose, as some Android tablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, are more expensive than some Apple tablets, like the iPad mini and Air.

Does the Apple Pencil only work on the iPad or also on other devices?

The Apple Pencil is a good stylus for graphic and note-taking tasks on the iPad and iPad Pro. But can you use the Apple Pencil on an Android tablet or Windows PC with a touchscreen? Is the Cupertino stylus compatible with other devices? You will get the right answers to these questions in this guide. Do you have any additions to the topic? Then please leave a comment 🙂

Using the Apple Pencil with Android or Windows, is that possible?

In a nutshell: no. The Apple Pencil is not made as a general and universally applicable stylus that can simply be used on all multi-touch displays or a touch monitor. Coupling via Bluetooth with all possible devices from the Android, Windows or other cosmos is also not intended by Apple.

This means that the 1st generation Apple Pencil and the 2nd generation Apple Pencil can only be used with compatible Apple tablet models (see lists below). So far, the stylus does not even work with the iPhone. Apple makes using the iPad / iPad Pro a prerequisite if you want to use an Apple Pencil.

Which iPads is the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) compatible with?

So that you don’t just know with which devices you are using the stylus from Cupertino not can use, here are two lists with the compatible Apple devices for the first and second generation. The following devices can be used with the first Apple Pencil, which was introduced in 2015:

• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12,9 ″ (1st or 2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 10,5 ″
• iPad Pro 9,7 ″

Which iPads is the Apple Pencil (2st Gen) compatible with?

If you want to use the second generation Apple Pencil, which was introduced in 2018, then you can do so with not that many tablets. This is the current list of compatible devices:

• iPad Air (4rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12,9 ″ (3rd generation and newer)
• iPad Pro 11 ″ (1rd generation and newer)

The source and the first point of contact in the event of changes / additions is the Apple support document HT211029. There you will find the above lists as well as the latest additions when the Apple company brings new tablet computers onto the market that can be used with the stylus.

Which iPad model do I have, how do I find out?

You can find out which version of the Apple tablet you are using via, among other things Settings. General. Info out. Alternatively, you can pair the device with your Apple Mac or Windows PC in order to determine the device data in the Finder or in iTunes. You can find a comprehensive guide on the subject with the following link: Which iPad do I have? This is how you get it out! An overview of all iPads with technical data, model number and pictures can be found in the Apple support document HT201471.

• The Apple Pencil has the precision, responsiveness and natural flow of an analog writing instrument, is.
• With the Apple Pencil, you can turn your iPad into a notepad, or into a canvas—or whatever else you.
• Compatibility: 12,9 iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation), 10,5 iPad Pro, 9,7 iPad Pro, iPad (6th and 7th generation), iPad.
• With the latest Apple Pencil, you can take notes, write and draw better than ever before. intuitively.
• The Apple Pencil sticks magnetically to the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly
• And you can easily switch between tools with a double tap

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.

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How to get perfect palm rejection on your tablet

These are three criteria you need to meet in order to have perfect palm rejection while writing or drawing on your tablet:

• You need an active stylus. Basically, your tablet needs to know that you’re using a stylus and not your finger.
• You need a tablet that can support an active stylus.
• You need an app that supports strict palm rejection

Have an active stylus

There are many styluses out there in the market and it can be confusing and difficult to know which are the active styluses.

The most common active styluses are Apple Pencil, Samsung S Pen, Microsoft Surface Pen, Huawei M Pencil, Lenovo Active Pen and some of the Adonit Bluetooth styluses. Many of these active styluses will support pressure sensitivity.

When in doubt, always look for a stylus that’s recommended by the manufacturer of the device/tablet you’re using. If there’s no recommended stylus, chances are that device does not support active stylus.

When you get a stylus and the specification mentions support for all touchscreen devices, chances are that’s not an active stylus. Most active styluses will mention specific brand or model support.

If you happen to use a stylus where you can see the cursor when the tip is hovering above the display, that’s good because that’s an active stylus.

Your tablet needs to support an active stylus

Not all tablets will support active styluses.

All the current iPads can be used with the Apple Pencil (active stylus).

Most Samsung tablets that support the S Pen (active stylus) will mostly likely come with the S Pen included. If your Samsung phone or tablet does not come with the S Pen, chances are it’s not going to work with the S Pen even if you have one.

Turn on strict palm rejection

When writing with an active stylus, sometimes you can still leave behind stray marks. When you draw only to discover minutes later that you have a stray mark somewhere, removing the stray mark can be tedious.

Certain drawing and writing apps has the strict palm rejection feature. Strict palm rejection may also go by different names in different apps. Basically, strict palm rejection turns off finger gestures and makes the app only accept pen input, thereby give you perfect palm rejection.

See the finger icon on the left? That’s the strict palm rejection mode available on Android version of Wacom Bamboo Paper. The same app on iPad, at time of my writing, does not have this feature.

Certain apps call it palm rejection.

Microsoft OneNote calls it Draw with Touch.

Procreate (iPad) calls it Disable Touch Actions.

Some apps have strict palm rejection permanently turned on.

So just turn on strict palm rejection, or whatever it’s called, and you will have perfect palm rejection.

If you are not using the right stylus and tablet, then unfortunately chances are your tablet is just not going support palm rejection.