Apple can launch some of its products discreetly, as not all releases must be boastful and thrust into the limelight.
We are talking about consumables: the company started taking orders for Apple Pencil replacement tips, which are sold in packs of four at $19 per pack.
Even if the recently unveiled 9.7-inch iPad Pro and iPhone SE caused a lot of hype, Apple understands the need for proper consumable handling and started taking orders for the replacement tips.
You can use the Apple Pencil tip set with the iPad Pro, regardless if you have the older 12.9-inch variant or you plan to get the smaller 9.7-inch tablet. For a detailed comparison between the two iPad Pro models, we prepared a full coverage for you.
As an interesting detail, the tip replacements started to sell on the same day Apple presented the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.
Digital artists will agree that, no matter how well-built the Apple Pencil's tip is, it still gives in after a while. The fact that the manufacturer crafts the nibs out of synthetic materials comes as both a blessing and a curse: the stylus' contact with the screen feels natural, but durability suffers.
At its launch in 2015, the Apple Pencil offered only one spare tip. At the time, the company promised that additional replacement tips will become available, but no official date was given. It is good to see that the manufacturer finally made good on its word.
The Apple Pencil makes full use of the potential packed inside the iPad Pro, opening creative possibilities. The fact that it is pressure- and tilt-sensitive means that your drawings will vary in line weight, shading and artistic effects.
An important detail is that the rubberized nibs that Apple manufactures have a tiny metallic component inside, which is specifically designed to interact with the iPad's screen.
With a price of $19 per pack, it means that one replacement tip costs $4.75.
You can get the new tips in two days should you choose free shipping, or the day following your order through ultra-fast shipping.
We look forward to seeing the packages landing in brick-and-mortar Apple Stores as well, and we will keep you posted when that happens.
