Engadget Guide: How to Tell When an Apple Pencil Tip Needs Replacing
Engadget explains how to spot a worn Apple Pencil tip, when to replace it and what new tips cost.
The same advice applies across the lineup. The Apple Pencil Pro, the USB-C model and the older first- and second-generation Pencils differ in features and price, but all of them rely on a replaceable tip, and Engadget reports that their battery life and durability are broadly similar. That makes the tip the main wear item users have to watch.
A fresh tip is evenly rounded. Over time it grinds into a jagged shape, which produces more friction and a rougher feel in use. Engadget advises that if wear goes far enough to expose the metal underneath, a replacement is no longer optional. Long before that point, users are likely to notice the friction first, followed by a gradual loss of connectivity that becomes apparent as it happens. Delaying the swap carries a further risk: a worn tip can scratch the tablet's screen.
On timing, Engadget suggests replacing tips roughly every two years, with heavy users possibly needing a new one in under a year.
Apple sells tips in packs of four for $19, and Engadget says they fit every Apple Pencil model. Because the tips are designed to be swapped out, third-party makers also sell alternatives. PenTips and Delidigi are named in the guide, with the former emphasizing drawing feel and the latter writing feel. Engadget describes the PenTips Lite as offering precision good enough for artists at Disney, while Delidigi's Fine Point is said to last a long time and to provide precision with a ballpoint-like feel.
Engadget also notes that Apple Pencil use is likely to grow as the iPhone Duo brings stylus support to an iPhone model, which would put more of the accessories into circulation and, with them, more worn tips.
【Editor's Summary】Engadget reports that Apple Pencil tips wear down into a jagged shape that increases friction, can cut connectivity and may eventually expose metal, with replacements advised about every two years. Apple sells four-packs for $19 that fit all models, and third-party options from PenTips and Delidigi target drawing and writing feel. The guide notes that stylus use may spread further as Apple Pencil support reaches an iPhone model.