As an Apple user, I was curious to know how long my Apple Pencil would last me. After all, with any expensive purchase, the longer it lasts, the better the value. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about the life expectancy of the Apple Pencil, as well as other solutions I’ve discovered.
With regular use, you can expect the Apple Pencil to last for 3-6 years. This is because lithium-ion batteries, which the Apple Pencil uses, are meant to last for 3-6 years.
There are a few things that will drastically reduce the lifespan of your Apple Pencil and it should last you much longer if you can avoid doing them.
| Key Takeaways | |
|---|---|
| Apple Pencil lifespan | 3-6 years |
| Reasons for Apple Pencil dying | – Dropped – Exposed to water – Battery dies due to being at 0% charge for too long |
| Frequency of tip replacement | Every 6 months to a year |
Table of Contents
What is the Apple Pencil life expectancy?
The Apple Pencil uses a lithium-ion battery. It is the battery that causes the most trouble when it comes to the life expectancy of the Apple Pencil.
Lithium ion batteries are meant to last for 3-6 years with regular use. If you use your Apple Pencil regularly, the battery will probably last you for 3-6 years.
However, many people lose their Apple Pencils much sooner than that due to being careless with the Apple Pencil. Also, the Apple Pencil can break if you drop it or if it gets wet.
Can an Apple Pencil go bad?
It is possible for the Apple Pencil to stop working. Common reasons why people’s Apple Pencils stop working include being dropped, allowed to get wet, or the batteries dying due to being at 0% charge for too long.
Read more: How to not lose an Apple Pencil?
There are a number of users who have reported their Apple Pencils have broken after being at 0% charge for more than a few days. This is because the battery does need some charge in order to maintain itself.
Do Apple pencils wear out?
The tips of the Apple Pencils do wear out and you can expect to have to replace them every 6 months to a year. The battery will also wear out over time.
Read more: Why is my Apple Pencil disconnecting?
How often should you change your Apple Pencil?
With regular use and by being careful with the Apple Pencil, you should not have to replace the Apple Pencil more than every 3-6 years. However, it will be necessary for you to change the tip of the Apple Pencil when it wears down.
How to ensure that the Apple Pencil lasts as long as possible
In order to make sure that your Apple Pencil lasts as long as possible, it would help to make sure that the battery is not able to be at 0% battery for too long.
The easiest way to do this is by leaving it attached to the side of the iPad when not in use if it is the Apple Pencil 2.
Often, people worry about having their Apple Pencil 2 attached to the iPad most of the time because they don’t want the battery degrading due to being fully charged all the time.
However, the Apple Pencil 2 is designed to be connected to the iPad most of the time.
Also, because the Apple Pencil 2 can last for 12 hours from full charge, so it is not such an issue if the battery does degrade slightly since the battery will still be able to last for a long time.
In order to avoid damaging your Apple Pencil, it would mainly help to do things that will help you to avoid dropping it.
Ways to do so can include keeping your Apple Pencil attached to the side of the iPad or on a desk when not in use or by getting va case for the pencil so that it is easier to hold.
If you want to prolong the durability of the Apple Pencil tip, it would also help to avoid using a plastic screen protector because they increase friction which wears the tip down.
However, many people prefer the drawing experience from plastic screen protectors so you may want to accept that you will need to replace the tip more often.
Pros
- The lithium-ion battery used in the Apple Pencil can last for up to 6 years with regular use.
- The Apple Pencil can be connected to the iPad for up to 12 hours at a time.
- The tip of the Apple Pencil can last for 6 months to a year before it needs to be replaced.
- It is easy to avoid some of the issues that can cause the Apple Pencil to die prematurely, such as dropping it or allowing it to get wet.
Cons
- The Apple Pencil is expensive and can be hard to replace if it is lost or damaged.
- The battery can die if it is left at 0% charge for too long.
- The tip of the Apple Pencil needs to be replaced every 6 months to a year.
- The plastic screen protectors can increase friction and wear down the tip of the Apple Pencil.
